SA has adopted the new Drug-Free Sport Amendment Bill
The committee adopted the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport Amendment Bill, just four months after starting the process.
Photo: Unsplash/ Philippa Rose-Tite
CAPE TOWN - Parliament’s sports, arts and culture committee might have broken the record for taking the shortest time to process new legislation.
The committee on Monday adopted the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport Amendment Bill, just four months after starting the process.
The country had to act quickly to formulate the legislation so it could be compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s requirements or face punishment and no funding.
South Africa faced the risk of not being able to raise the national flag at sporting events if it didn't rectify its anti-doping legislation.
In February the committee started the process and finally adopted the bill, a process that normally takes years.
Sports department legal director Arthur Manthata, "as the chair constantly said, this committee will go down in history as having been able to process a bill within four months and we as a department are quite relieved that we have arrived."
Parliament legal advisor Advocate Aadielah Arnold said some amendments include the establishment of an anti-doping agency.
"The principal act provides for the establishment of the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport, it provides for the composition of the institute, it provides for meetings and staff."
The Bill will go to the National Assembly on Tuesday before it’s sent to the NCOP for concurrence.