DA rejects Mineral and Petroleum Bill – says unlawful

Democratic Alliance media statement: 

Today the Western Cape Standing Committee on Economic Opportunities, Tourism and Agriculture has decided to not support the Mineral and Petroleum Resource Bill. Conflict with existing law, community rights and international trade agreements, have led the Standing Committee to consider the bill to be unlawful.

The Committee believes that the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill is clearly in conflict with existing Interim Protection of Informal Land Rights Act (1996) which provides for the participation and consent of affected communities.

Given the 11,5% decrease during the fourth quarter of 2016 in the mining sector, it is imperative that we make informed decisions, and thus support a Bill that will grow the industry, create more jobs and stimulate the economy.

Key to South Africa’s economic growth is our existing trade agreements. If National Parliament passes this bill in its current form, it will result in South Africa being in breach of international treaties such as GATT and the WTO it is a signatory to. This violation puts our future economic growth at risk.

As Chairperson of the Standing Committee I am not satisfied with the bill, and believe that this piece of legislation could be at odds with the Constitution. The Western Cape can therefore not support the Mineral and Petroleum Resource Bill, and we in today’s committee voted that the Western Cape do not support the bill.