Constitutional amendment report delayed

The parliamentary committee investigating whether the constitution needs to be amended to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation yesterday said it hoped to complete its work by November.

Committee chairperson Lewis Nzimande confirmed members of parliament would miss the deadline today to submit a report with recommendations.

However, an extension had been requested from the speaker’s office.

“We expect the request to be successful,” said Nzimande. He said the volume of public input MPs received had necessitated a postponement so the committee could carefully consider all the submissions.

MPs held extensive public hearings in all nine provinces and also sat for a week in parliament where further public submission were heard.

The committee has to recommend to the National Assembly whether section 25 of the constitution, more commonly known as the property clause, needs to be changed to fast-track land reform across South Africa. – ANA

Extension has been requested from speaker’s office. The work is expected to be completed by November.

Lewis Nzimande Committee chairperson