By Prof ES Chang MP on behalf of Suzanne Vos MP

National Assembly Cape Town: 29 August 2007  
 

Madame Speaker, 

The IFP was unfortunately unable to attend to this Bill in the Justice Committee. 

We must nevertheless place on record various concerns.   

The stated intentions of the Bill -- in the national quest to combat crime -- are supported. 

It would therefore help if various provisions of this Bill could be implemented - which at present they cannot. 

The IFP questions the authority and constitutionality of attempting to enable the Minister to revoke licences.  We can only hope that the President will apply his mind to this issue before appending his signature to this Bill. 

Other matters relating to the deactivation of handsets prior to registration and international roaming are hugely problematic. 

The fact that this Bill allows for its own provisions to be suspended for a maximum of three months (clearly with the 2010 World Cup period in mind) is proof enough that various injunctions are neither practical nor feasible. 

The IFP asks that its objection to this Bill be noted.

Thank you.