Expropriation Bill [B4-2015]: deliberations on public comments, with Deputy Minister

The Deputy Minister of Public Works continued to take Members through the comments made during the public hearings on the Expropriation Bill, indicating what comments had been made and whether the Department agreed with them or had other views. The Department had added to the Preamble to make it clear that section 34 of the Constitution provided that anyone had the right to approach the courts for resolution of a dispute. In relation to the definitions, there was discussion on whether the Bill should refer to both high courts and magistrates’ courts. One of the difficulties perceived with including the magistrates’ courts, despite the fact that they were more accessible and less expensive, was their capacity.