Legislature seeks to make changes to Children’s Amendment Bill

On Wednesday, October 19, the Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development, will host a hearing to get input from the public on the latest amendments to the Children’s Amendment Bill of 2020 Section 76.

Live streaming available for the upcoming public hearing on the Gauteng Provincial Legislature YouTube and Facebook pages. (Simply search for “Gauteng Provincial Legislature” on YouTube and Facebook).

On Monday, October 17, the portfolio committee convened the first hearing in Mogale City, West Rand.

The Amendment Bill addresses to the comprehensive legal solution relating to the foster care system – which provides full protection to vulnerable children.

The provisions of the Amendment Bill are in line with the order of the North Gauteng High Court – in the 2011 matter of Centre for Child Law vs Minister of Social Development (Case No: 72513/2017) to deal with challenges relating to the delivery and administration of foster care.

The proposed amendments to the Children’s Act of 2005, (Act 38 of 2005) aims to close the following gaps:

• The inclusion of certain definitions;
• Extending the jurisdiction of the Children’s Court;
• Providing for the care of abandoned or orphaned children;
• Providing for additional matters relating to children in alternative care; and
• Providing for all related and additional matters that may be regulated.

“Once the Bill has been enacted, it is predicted that a marked improvement will be observed in the lives of vulnerable children, their caregivers and their parents,” says the legislature.

All interested parties in the Children’s Amendment Bill are invited to give their input at the hearing or participate by making a written submission to Mr Sipho Nqwala via email to SNqwala@gpl.gov.za by 21 October 2022, using the email subject line: Children Amendment Bill Submission.

The Copy of the Bill, presentation from the National Department of Social Development and the National Council of Provinces Legal opinion on the Bill are available on www.gpl.gov.za
For more information contact: SNqwala@gpl.gov.za; cell: 060 533 1975.