Chairperson, we have three Bills before this august House today, namely the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (Private) Act Repeal Bill, the Dutch Reformed Churches Union Act Repeal Bill and The Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (Private) Act Repeal Bill. Before I get to the contents of the Bills, let me explain that the hon member P Gerber has a habit of picking up old books and putting them in a storeroom. This hon member came across a book containing statutes and discovered that these three churches were governed by an Act of Parliament.
Now, in terms of our Constitution, South Africa is a secular state. There is, therefore, no need for an Act of Parliament to govern the affairs of churches in the Republic of South Africa. Therefore, these three Bills make it possible for us, today, to repeal these three Acts. In South Africa we have - I don't know how many - hundreds of churches, and only these three churches are governed by an Act of Parliament.
If you read through the principal Acts, you will find that they are discriminatory in nature: They only refer to men, and speak about coloured people, and so on. Therefore, these three Acts that we are repealing here today are, in actual fact, unconstitutional and we would like to appeal to this august House to support these three Bills. Enkosi. [Thank you.]
Debate concluded.
Methodist Church of Southern Africa (Private) Act Repeal Bill agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution.
Dutch Reformed Churches Union Act Repeal Bill agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution.
The Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (Private) Act Repeal Bill agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution.
Hon members, before I suspend the proceedings, there's a request from the Chief Whip of the Council for you to stay behind after I have suspended the proceedings for this session. Hon members, the proceedings of the House are suspended and will be resumed at 14:00. Thank you.
Chairperson, this was a request to you, as the presiding officer, that we should continue with the business of the day to its completion, seeing that we still have enough time left to do so.
I'm sorry, I cannot continue with the business of the day. I was requested to preside over this session only. Proceedings will resume at 14:00. Thank you.
Business suspended at 12:15 and resumed at 14:05.
Afternoon Sitting