Many of the submissions were one-line emails with the writer simply expressing their objection to the bill.
The Public Works and Infrastructure minister made a statement in the National Assembly on Tuesday on the implementation of the government’s much-vaunted infrastructure plan.
The minister was addressing the Infrastructure South Africa Project Preparation Roundtable which is taking place on Tuesday in Midrand.
This bill is set to replace the current Expropriation Act of 1975 and it is a framework legislation that outlines how and when expropriation of land can take place.
That’s the view of MPs serving on the public works oversight committee which has inspected the controversial infrastructure.
The committee on Tuesday expressed concerns on the delay, saying it wanted to finalise the controversial R40 million failed Department of Public Works and Infrastructure project.
Defence force officials have told Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) that the fence was the responsibility of the Public Works Department.
Public Works Minister Patricia de Lille’s directive to have the Beitbridge border fence erected has again come under sharp focus from ANC and DA members.
MPs have compared the fence to the Berlin Wall where people tried to cross into West Germany seeking a better life during the Cold War.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) found that the R40 million tender for the border fence was awarded irregularly and recommended that 14 officials be disciplined.
They also want Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille to shoulder the blame for giving the directive.
Scopa has been briefed by officials from national Treasury and the Special Investigating Unit.
Public Works Minister Patricia De Lille and officials from her department briefed Parliament’s Public Works Committee about its investigation into the Beitbridge border fence.
The project was commissioned by minister Patricia de Lille in March, shortly after a national state of disaster was declared by the president.
The investigation report found several alleged procurement and other irregularities, and allegations of fraud committed by the officials, and the border fence project service providers.
De Lille said it would be chaired by a senior advocate who has not yet been appointed.
Vukela is facing allegations of overspending on official funerals and irregular appointments in the department.
Since the onset of the pandemic in South Africa, our strategy has been to provide whatever support we can to protect businesses & preserve jobs, writes Cyril Ramaphosa.
