Chairperson and hon members, the Department of Transport commissioned the SA Law Commission to undertake the task of revising the South African Statute Book with a view to identifying and providing recommendations for the repeal or amendment of legislation that is inconsistent, redundant or obsolete in terms of the equality clause in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
The SA Law Commission, in partnership with the Department of Transport, conducted research about transport legislation and established that there are 2 800 Acts on the Statute Book. Of these, 218 were identified as Acts administered by the Department of Transport. The results of the research indicated that there were some statutes administered by the Department of Transport that needed to be repealed completely, while others needed to be repealed partially. The repeal processes affected a total of 51 Acts. At the same time, certain provisions of 14 Acts were to be repealed. The committee had to consider the fact that certain Acts and provisions were at odds with the Constitution and their purpose was no longer relevant to the new democratic order.
These amending Bills must be viewed in the context of the government policy that seeks to ensure integrated services. One of the main ways to achieve this is ensuring that we do not have legislation that will hinder these processes and ultimately slow down the processes of transformation. As far back as 1995, discussions took place to ensure that the future transport system in the new democratic dispensation had as its emphasis a sound publicly owned transport system that functioned well and provided quality services to our people.
We should note that the progress over the past 15 years has led to substantial improvement in the transport system, which has ensured greater safety, efficiency and affordable transportation. This momentum constituted a conscious and dedicated effort to ensure not only better service delivery, but, equally, ways to address the creation of decent jobs within the sector. This amending Bill is in accordance with these broad principles.
In addressing the objectives of the Bill, it seeks to repeal a number of redundant or obsolete laws. The Bill contains two Schedules. Schedule 1 lists Acts that may be repealed in their entirety. These Acts were enacted for a specific purpose, which has been achieved, and, currently, they need to be repealed. Schedule 2 seeks to repeal certain provisions of the laws listed therein that, as a consequence of Schedule 1, have become obsolete.
The Department of Transport presented the Bill to the committee and placed in context what informed the crafting of the Bill. The committee noted that Schedule 1 listed Acts that needed to be repealed in their entirety, whilst Schedule 2 listed laws where only certain provisions needed to be repealed. The Select Committee on Public Services, having considered the Transport Laws Repeal Bill, unanimously adopted the Bill without amendments. Members expressed their satisfaction and unanimously approved the motion and report supporting the Bill.
In conclusion, the Bill has progressed in line with the drive towards ensuring better administration of the transport system and strategic goals of the department as outlined in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework. In this regard, this Bill seeks to lay the basis for new legislation and transport policy processes to ensure safe, reliable and efficient public transport. It should build a process of infrastructure momentum and create decent jobs and a caring economy.
Having considered the Transport Laws Repeal Bill, which was referred to it by the National Assembly, the Select Committee on Public Services supports the Bill without amendments. Thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Bill agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution.