NATIONAL NEWS - An Extraordinary Provincial Gazette has been published on 6 March (Gazette number 7891), which outlines the intention of the Provincial Government to scrap the provision in the Provincial Constitution which makes it obligatory for the Premier to appoint the Environmental Commissioner.
‘‘We believe that there are very good reasons for the establishment of the commissioner in the province. It is an obligatory provision of the provincial constitution. Premier Zille has failed, since 2009 to establish the office of the environmental commissioner. In 2015, the Department of the Premier proposed an amendment to the provincial constitution, which would have made the appointment of both the Children’s and Environmental Commissioner discretionary. The current provisions make it obligatory that these commissioners are appointed,’’ said Cameron Dugmore, MPP of the ANC in a press release.
He added that, in an extensive public participation process, the very clear view which emerged, was to reject the proposed amendment. ‘‘Once again, and despite the views from the public hearings, Premier Zille did not make any effort to establish both Commissions.’’
He said that, after public pressure was brought to bear, Zille then relented and has agreed to introduce legislation to establish the Children’s Commissioner. This has still not happened.
‘‘In regard to the Environmental Commissioner, there was no similar commitment to introduce provincial legislation to ensure the implementation of the Western
Cape Constitution. It has now become clear that Premier Zille has no intention of establishing the Environmental Commissioner. The Department of the Premier has
introduced this Bill (Constitution of the Western Cape Draft First Amendment Bill, 2018) to amend the Western Cape Constitution by scrapping the clause to
appoint the EC in its entirety.’’
Any person wishing to make comment on the draft Bill is requested to submit the comments in writing before or on 6 April. The comments can be emailed to Ms Thembisa Blom at Tembisa.Blom@westerncape.gov.za or faxed for attention to 021 483 3827.
A briefing by Dugmore and other ANC MPL’s about the above matter will be held on Tuesday 3 April at 18:00 at the Ashley Kriel Hall, Community House, 41 Salt River Road, Salt River.
