The Portfolio Committee on Public Works today adopted the two amendments that were made by the National Council of Provinces to the Expropriation Bill (B4D-2015).

The two amendments dealt with the changes to Clause 19(2) of the Expropriation Bill. The clause relates to the payment of municipal property rates and other charges out of compensation money. The first amendment increased the number of days in which the municipal manager must inform the expropriating authority, in writing, of charges from 20 days to 30 days, if land which has been expropriated is subject to municipal rates.

The second amendment that was adopted by the Committee increases the number of days from 10 to 20 whereby the expropriating authority may utilise as much of the compensation money in question as is necessary for the payment, if the said amount is not disputed in writing by the expropriated owner or expropriated holder.

Committee members unanimously accepted and adopted the amendments to the Bill. The Committee has noted the objection of the Democratic Alliance and the United Democratic Movement to the Bill. The Committee will now table the report before the National Assembly for consideration.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of Mr Ben Martins, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works