The members of Portfolio Committee on Health at Westonaria Banquet Hall outside Randfontein. Photo by Rapula Mancai
THE chairman f the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Kenneth Jacobs, has expressed his disappointment regarding the comments made by a member of the committee on the public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill in Gauteng.
DA leader Michele Clarke called on the ANC government to fight the illicit tobacco trade.
Jacobs said he found it reprehensible that a member had decided to politicise a legitimate process. The public hearings were held in Gauteng on 24, 25 and 26 November 2023.
"The committee has always adopted the spirit of cooperation and collegiality in discharging its mandate. It was in this spirit that the chairperson consulted all committee members when the matter arose during public hearings on the bill in Tshwane, where some members of the public couldn't enter the venue after it had reached capacity," he said.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Kenneth Jacobs. Photo by Rapula Mancai
Jacobs said the statement released by Clarke undermines this spirit and shows signs of intent to malign a legitimate process of public consultation.
ALSO READ: D-day for Zulu Prince spikers
"It is disingenuous for the member to claim the moral high ground and claim that she, personally and her political party, intervened to ensure that people are given an opportunity to voice their objection to the bill. This feeds into the false and unfortunate narrative that those outside the venue were primarily kept there because they disagreed with the bill.
"The committee has decided that the public participation process must be undertaken in a fair and open manner. The statement issued undermines this undertaking by the members," Jacobs said.
Jacobs reiterated that the committee would listen to all views, for or against the bill, and will only decide on the matter when the time for deliberations arrives.
He called on members to show restraint and act within the bounds set by the Constitution and the rules of Parliament. He said the disingenuous intentions to malign a legitimate process of public participation must end.
Clarke said in her statement that the chaos at the hearings in Gauteng, where many people were denied the opportunity to voice their objections until the DA intervened, illustrated the chaos in the tobacco industry.
"While the Tobacco Bill might have the best intentions. It also fails to address the biggest problems with tobacco use. As seen during the Covid-pandemic, unless the illicit tobacco trade is irradiated, the Tobacco Bill will hamper legal trade, but have very little impact on tobacco usage.
"The majority of participants rejected the Tobacco Bill, while raising very real concerns regarding unemployment and economic impact. In a country."
She said the DA is urging Parliament to reconsider the Tobacco Bill. It is clear that instead of unreasonable legislation, the focus must be on eradicating the illicit tobacco trade. Only when progress has been made in this regard should new legislation be considered.
Get the best in Soccer, News and Lifestyle content with SNL24 PLUS
For 14 free days, you can have access to the best from Soccer Laduma, KickOff, Daily Sun, TrueLove and Drum. Thereafter you will be billed R29 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed.
