I received several requests from the International and Local media for personal interviews regarding the withdrawal of the SA Weather Service Amendment Bill, 2011. However it is simply impossible to grant personal interviews to every media outlet that requested an interview.
I have indicated before that as a result of wide spread interest and to be transparent the SA Weather and Disaster Observation Service (SAWDOS) has decide to issue press releases instead of personal interviews.
SAWDOS MEDIA STATEMENT
WITHDRAWAL OF SA WEATHER SERVICE AMENDMENT BILL - SEVERE WEATHER AND AIR POLLUTION-RELATED WARNING
31 JULY 2012
Business Day reports that the Department of Environmental Affairs has quietly withdrawn its proposed amendments to the SA Weather Service Amendment Bill, 2011. Notice of the bill's withdrawal was given, without reasons, in a June 15 parliamentary notice. There were no media or public announcements, but there is no obligation on a minister to make any public announcement when withdrawing a bill.
From the onset it was clear that this bill was a poorly drafted bill and unconstitutional. This highly controversial bill sought to introduce fines of up to five years imprisonment or a fine of five million rand while repeat offenders could be jailed for up to ten years or pay a fine of ten million rand if weather and air pollution related information are issued without the SA Weather Service's permission; the supply of false or misleading weather information; and the supply of information that "detrimentally effects or is likely to detrimentally affect the weather service". It further sought that the SA Weather Service not be held liable for any damage, loss or injury caused by any act performed or omitted in good faith, in the course of exercising a power or performing a function assigned by or under this Act.
The above is just a few basic examples of the highly controversial and poorly drafted bill.
The SAWDOS expressed it's opinion regarding this bill on several occasions in the media. The SAWDOS's submission to the port folio committee is available HERE.
With regards to the withdrawal of the bill, the SAWDOS would like to make the following comments:
1. This country cannot afford to waste time and money on poor quality legislation. Most concerning and not mentioned anywhere is the fact the tax-payers money is wasted by this poorly drafted bill. The time wasted by the port folio committee, it's personnel and all those who submitted submissions, those who addressed the port folio committee at their own cost and all others involved wasted valuable time and money on debating this draconian bill. It really reflect the incompetence by those responsible for the drafting of the bill.
2. One would think that the Minister or a delegated official would announce the withdrawal of the amendment bill publically due to the vast public interest in the bill. It now seems that the quiet way out was chosen. The Department declined an invitation to comment. It would have been appropriate to at least release a press statement to inform those concerned.
3. Although this bill is withdrawn it is not the end of the road. New legislation can be expected in future. Hopefully new legislation won't be draconian and at least worth the time and money spend on debating it. Time will tell if this will be the case.
4. The SAWDOS indicated in the past that it will continue to issue weather and disaster warnings, advisories and watches when threats are observed. The SAWDOS is of the opinion that it is the duty of citizens in this country to alert others if their is a life threatening situation developing or taking place in an area. One cannot waste time to first seek permission to issue such warnings, advisories or watches. By the time and if permission is granted many would have died in waiting for an answer. The SAWDOS have more than enough experience in not receiving answers from the SA Weather Service. Click HERE for more information.
5. I trust that Parliament will investigate the waste of the tax-payer money relating to this absurd legislation. The designated officials have to take responsibility for their actions and the waste of tax-payers money. Unfortunately SAWDOS is of the opinion that nothing will come of it and that it would just die a quiet death as was the case with the SA Weather Service Amendment Bill, 2011.
6. Finally: The SAWDOS would like to thank all those, but especially the media who contributed to "reverse" this draconian legislation. I am convinced that we all strive to make South Africa a safer place and to keep the public informed with regard to weather and disaster threats.
- END -
Johan Terblanche
Founder: SA Weather and Disaster Observation Service
Mossel Bay
31 July 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment