The National Assembly Programme Committee has reportedly agreed to grant a two-week extension of the lifespan of the committee mandated to amend the constitution to allow land expropriation.
The committee was given until Monday to complete its work after it could not do so by the end of May. The committee has to consider the submissions from the second round of submissions on its proposed bill and also made consultations, including the National House of Traditional Leaders.
The programme committee was previously made aware of the possibility of an extension request, and the committee is set to meet later on Thursday and Friday to deliberate on the submissions it received from the public.
At the meeting on Thursday morning, DA chief Natasha Mazzone was one of the first to raise the matter, saying the committee’s terms has been unanimously and automatically extended without any consultation of parties and bringing the request to the House.
National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said that she was not aware of any extension but a briefing from the executive management has indicated whether there should be an extension or not would be a subject for discussion. “As far as I am concerned, there has not been an extension granted,” Mapisa-Nqakula said.
Secretary to National Assembly, Masibulele Xaso, said that there was a concern that should the House not do anything today on extending the terms, the committee would have to be re-established.
It appears that that there is agreement on a two week extension among most parties but only time will tell.
Sources: MSN
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