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Following Cabinet approval, the Draft Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill will now be submitted to Parliament.
The proposed legislation will afford government - via state-owned PetroSA - the right to a 20% stake in all oil and gas exploration and production projects in South Africa.
The law will provide separates rules for the petroleum (oil and gas) and mining sector.
The bill, which was first published in December 2019, details the application system for permits, the issuing and transfer of rights.
In a statement following a meeting last week, Cabinet stated that the bill create[d] a conducive environment for investment, growth and job creation in the upstream of petroleum resources market as well as strategic stock requirements for petroleum rights holders to sell a percentage of petroleum at prevailing market price to the state petroleum company.
14 May 2021 15:37 GMT Updated 14 May 2021 15:37 GMT in London
South Africa’s government has given the go-ahead for the draft of its much-needed and long heralded upstream oil and gas bill to go before parliament.
According to a statement published on Thursday on the website of President Cyril Ramaphosa, his cabinet approved the submission of the Draft Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill to parliament.
This bill which will replace part of the existing Minerals & Petroleum Resource Development Act aims to provide a legislative and regulatory framework that is conducive to investments, growth and job creation.
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Public to comment on bid for tighter gun controls
May 14, 2021NEWS
The public will soon comment on the Firearms Amendment Bill of 2021, which proposes tighter controls and management of firearms as well as the establishment of the National Firearms Register.
In a Cabinet statement released on Thursday, Cabinet said it had approved the publication of the Bill for public comment.
“The changes will assist in reducing the number of firearms in private hands and consequently reduce incidents of violent crimes. The Bill also improves the processing, control of firearms and the application system,” Cabinet said.
Cabinet also approved the publication of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Amendment Bill for public comment.
6 laws Ramaphosa’s cabinet has just approved for South Africa
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Cabinet has approved a number of new bills for submission to parliament, including two key pieces of energy legislation and new rules around firearms.
In a statement on Thursday (13 May), cabinet indicated that the bills would now undergo the full public participation process, including an open comment period.
The proposed legislation is outlined in more detail below.
Firearms
Cabinet has approved the publication of the Firearms Amendment Bill of 2021 for public comment.
The bill proposes tighter controls and management of firearms and the establishment of the National Firearms Register.
“Cabinet calls on Israel to stop the barbaric attacks on Palestinians and commit itself to international efforts aimed at reviving a political process, leading to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, existing side by side in peace with Israel within internationally recognised borders, based on those existing on June 4 1967, with East Jerusalem as the capital Palestine.”
Meanwhile, the cabinet also said it was “monitoring developments” in Mozambique after recent attacks by insurgents there.
“Cabinet remains concerned about the situation in Mozambique and continues to monitor developments. Accordingly, cabinet expressed its full support to efforts of the Southern African Development Community to bring about lasting peace and security, as well as reconciliation and development in Mozambique,” a statement read.