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File photo: President Cyril Ramaphosa holds up the signed Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the settlement made between Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and the Solidarity Union on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act.
He however warns that the settlement has no bearing on his power to make decisions regarding the commencement of the Act.
On November 28, 2024, Gwarube announced that she had signed an agreement with Solidarity on the exercise of her powers and responsibilities in the implementation of the BELA Act.
On September 13, the President signed into law the Basic Laws Amendment Act, with a delay in the implementation of clauses 4 and 5 of the Act.
The implementation of clauses 4 and 5 was delayed for three months from the signing of the Act to allow for amendments and discussion from various parties within the GNU.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the President is bound by the Constitution to determine the date of commencement and for necessary regulations to be finalised without delay.
“The agreement between the Minister and Solidarity has no bearing in law or practical effect on the inclusive multi-party discussions that are underway regarding Sections 4 and 5 of the Act. Furthermore, the agreement bears no influence on the President’s powers to ultimately take a decision regarding the commencement of the Act,” he said.
President @CyrilRamaphosa has noted the settlement agreement between the Minister of Basic Education and the Solidarity union on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA).
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) December 1, 2024
