The Minister of Trade and Industry intends introducing the following Bills into Parliament during May 2012:
CO-OPERATIVES AMENDMENT BILL, 2012
To amend the Co-operatives Act, 2005, so as to provide for the substitution and addition of certain definitions; to provide for associate membership of co-operatives; to provide for categories of primary co-operatives; to provide for national apex cooperatives; to provide for the annual submission of information to the CIPC; to amend the accounting practices by providing for audit and independent review of cooperatives; to provide for the payment of fees by co-operative for the amalgamation, divisions conversion or transfer of co-operative; to provide for the voluntary windingup of a co-operative by special resolution; to provide for the co-operative to apply for
a declaratory order in respect of the liquidation process; to provide for the registrar or Tribunal to order the winding-up of a co-operative; to substitute the Advisory Board with the Advisory Council; to provide for the establishment, functions and powers of the Co-operative Development Agency; to provide for the funding and financial management of the Agency; to provide for oversight and executive authority of the Agency; to provide for the establishment, composition and functions of the Cooperatives Tribunal; to provide for the substitution of the Long title and the Preamble; and to provide for matters connected therewith.