Ramaphosa expresses willingness to address BELA Bill concerns
President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet with GNU parties to address the issues they’ve raised regarding the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill.
However, according to Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, the Constitution makes no provision for the President’s choice to be negotiated or agreed upon with any other group or individual.
Ramaphosa has faced criticism from the Democratic Alliance (DA) after the Presidency announced that the Bill would be signed on Friday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The DA’s John Steenhuisen has called for an urgent meeting with Ramaphosa, while AfriForum has threatened legal action against the President if he signs the bill.
Magwenya told the media on Wednesday that it was important to point out the President’s constitutional responsibilities in light of public pronouncements about the signing.
He clarified that in accordance with Section 79(1) of the Constitution, Ramaphosa is required to either sign a bill passed under this Chapter or, in the event that the President has doubts about the bill’s constitutionality, send it back to the National Assembly for review.
He proceeded by saying that before the proposed legislation is approved by Parliament, there would be thorough and comprehensive public engagement and parliamentary discussion before Ramaphosa’s approval.
He stated that the President may only return the Bill to the National Assembly if he has doubts about its constitutionality.
“The President remains firmly committed to engaging fully and openly with parties in the Government of National Unity on this or any other matter of concern,” he said.