THE
CONTROVERSIAL Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) Amendment Bill was sent back because it did not pass constitutional muster, President Jacob Zuma’s office said yesterday. Zuma was required by the Constitution to refer it back to the National Assembly for reconsideration, spokesman Mac Maharaj said. The president found a number of faults. As the bill stood, it gave Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi the power to amend or repeal certain instruments when the need arose, by-passing constitutionally-mandated procedures for legislative changes. Zuma felt the public participation process around the bill had been flawed. The consultation period was highly compressed and provincial legislatures did not appear to have given sufficient notice of public hearings. Maharaj said Zuma believed the bill should have been referred to the National House of Traditional Leaders for comments as it affected the customs of traditional communities. – Sapa