Referral of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill to the National Assembly

16 January 2015

President Jacob Zuma has referred the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Bill back to the National Assembly for reconsideration.

The Bill was passed by Parliament last year and referred to the President for assent and signing into law.

After careful consideration of the Bill and the submissions received, the President is of the view that the Bill as it stands would not pass constitutional muster.

The Constitution requires that the President must assent to and sign the Bill referred to him by the National Assembly. However, in terms of section 79(1) of the Constitution, 1996, if the President has reservations about the constitutionality of the Bill, he may refer it back to the National Assembly for reconsideration.

Statement issued by Mac Maharaj, The Presidency, January 19 2015

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