ANC's rejection of Small Enterprises Ombud Service Bill threatens jobs
25 October 2018
The ANC's decision to declare the DA's Private Member's Bill for the establishment of an ombud service for small enterprises "undesirable", proves that effectively and efficiently resolving disputes that cripple small businesses in South Africa is not a priority for the governing party.
The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development yesterday rejected the Small Enterprises Ombud Service Bill based on unfounded promises by the Department of Small Business Development that they would be attending to it themselves.
This decision was made despite the Parliamentary Legislation Office indicating to the Committee that by doing so, the Department would be compelled to create, by means of legislation, an entity like that of the proposed Ombud Service. Parliament's legislative programme makes it impossible for the Department to accomplish this in the current 5th Parliament.
ANC members of the committee claimed the Bill would duplicate what the Department was already working on. This is despite the DA having a working and introduced version of the Bill before the Committee, whereas all the Department could show were empty promises and undertakings.