Standing Committee unanimously agrees to table DA’s WC Provincial Powers Bill

12 June 2023

On Friday, the Standing Committee on Premier and Constitutional Matters unanimously agreed to table the DA-sponsored Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill before the Provincial Legislature.

The Bill will now be referred to the Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament for its official tabling.

The Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill, which I introduced to the Committee on 26 May 2023, creates a framework for the Western Cape to assert its existing constitutional, legislative and executive powers, and to seek the devolution or delegation of further powers from the National Government. Additionally, the Bill allows for the inclusion of further areas of provincial and local autonomy and defines a process for achieving this.

The failures of the ANC in National Government and provinces across the country is an increasingly dangerous threat to state institutions and economic development. It has, therefore, become imperative that competent, sub-national governments are empowered to protect themselves against the ANC’s failures in government.

If passed, the Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill will not only strengthen the Western Cape’s efforts to bring quality service delivery and good governance to communities, but it will also provide a blueprint for other provinces and local authorities to follow the same route.

Issued by Christopher Fry, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Premier and Constitutional Matters, 12 June 2023