To
Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services
From
Yusuf Omar
Subject
omarfam@gmail.com
Date
31 August 2022 2:24 p.m.
Dear Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services,

We appreciate the opportunity as the Citizens of South Africa to be given the opportunity to comment on proposed legislation.

I write in reference to the proposed Unlawful Entry on Premises Bill, 2022

I fully support the need to repeal all the Acts that were enacted under the Apartheid Regime that affected our basic human rights. I, and am sure millions of other South Africans have grave concerns about the laws being proposed under the new Bill.

The Act is necessary but certain elements of the Act are in my humble opinion impractical and against the background of crime generally in our country, MUST be thought through.

The proposed Bill goes too far in burdening us in having to inform an intruder and will seriously affect our safety. The Bill also empowers certain officials at SAPS who are the only ones able to act. Furthermore has thought been given to the fact that there may be a serious language barrier where the intruder does not understand the language of the property occupant/s.

The proposed Bill favours an increase in crime and the resultant murders, thefts, and assaults and has not been thought through effectively.

We implore those responsible to apply themselves and to consider the rights of BOTH sides.

As an elder in society, I reject aspects of this Bill as it does not seek to protect me but rather protects the interest of the would-be criminal.

Many thanks
Yusuf Omar
Former Consule General for South Africa to the USA and Brazil