[13 February 2019] We have been provided with a copy of the letter effecting the withdrawal of the Bill.

Letter to Portfolio Committee Chair 12 February 2019

The letter suggests that:

  • the Department has already engaged with some stakeholders about this process; and
  • we are likely to have a further policy review process prior to the Bill or replacement legislation being sent back to Parliament, with a specific focus on developing a legislative framework to enable preparation for the “4th Industrial Revolution”.

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[12 February 2019] The Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2o18 has been withdrawn by the Minister by way of a letter addressed to the Portfolio Committee for Telecommunications and Postal Services, with the decision confirmed at the Committee’s meeting on 12 February 2019.

There will be further consultation…

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[3 December 2018] Submissions and presentations made on the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B31-2018] can be found at the links below:

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[28 November 2018] The schedule for the public hearings on the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B 31- 2018] can be found at the links below:

[Thursday] 29 November 2018

[Friday] 30 November 2018

[Monday] 3 December 2018

[Tuesday] 4 December 2018

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[20 November 2018] Public hearings on the Bill are to take place in Parliament from 26 November to 29 November 2019. Further detail can be obtained from hsalie@parliament.gov.za.

The links below are to the required Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System report in respect of the Bill, as prepared by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as some internal research on the Bill prepared by a Parliamentary advisor.

DPME SEIAS Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2018

181120Research_on_ECA_Bill_B31_-2018

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[14 November 2018] It has been brought to our attention that notices inviting comment on this Bill were published in print media (we can find no reference to this online).

Invitation to submit written comments on the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B31 – 2018]

Comments are due by 16h00 on 20 November 2018 and can be emailed to hsalie@parliament.gov.za.

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[22 September 2018] The Bill was formally tabled in Parliament on 19 September 2018 and this is the version which is to be debated.

Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B31-2018]

The Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services has provided an aggressive timeline for its consideration of the Bill:

9 October Briefing on the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill
13 November 09:30 – 13:00 Public hearings on the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill
20 November 09:30 – 13:00 Public hearings on the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill
27 November 09:30 – 13:00 Deliberation/ Finalisation of the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill

It is highly unlikely that this will be the final schedule….

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[1 September 2018] The Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2018 and its accompanying Explanatory Memorandum were published in the Government Gazette on 31 August 2018.

Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2018

Explanatory Summary Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2018
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[16 March 2018] Below are links to presentations made by stakeholders at the Consultative Workshop held on 6 & 7 March 2018:

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[15 February 2018] The Department has released the details of the Stakeholder Consultative Workshop to be held on 6 & 7 March 2018. Each of the 43 stakeholders who submitted written submissions for the bill will be afforded 20 minutes to make oral representations.

Invitation to Stakeholder Consultative Workshop

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[5 February 2018] Below are links to submissions made to the Department in respect of the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2017.

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[28 January 2018] The Department has given notice that it will host a Stakeholder Consultative Workshop on 6 & 7 March 2018 (previously scheduled for 5 & 6 February). The Department will select certain stakeholders who have made written submissions to make oral representations.

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[8 December 2017] The deadline for comments has been extended to 31 January 2018.

Extension of due date_ECA Bill GG 41312_Notice 1390

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[7 December 2017] For those who don’t want to wade through the words…

Overview of the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2017

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[6 December 2017] The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services hosted an engagement on the draft Electronic Communications Amendment Bill on 4 December 2017. A copy of the presentation provided is linked to below.

Presentation ECA Bill Final 04122017

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[17 November 2017] The drive to implement the National ICT Policy White Paper has taken a significant step forward with the publication by the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services of a draft Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2017 for public comment.

Invitation to provide written comments on Electronic Communications Amendment Bill

Memorandum on Objects of EC Amendment Bill 2017

Interested persons are invited to provide written comments on the draft Bill within 30 calendar days of the date of publication (being 17 November 2017) – which we calculate as Sunday, 17 December 2017. Comments are also invited on the cost implications of the amendments.

Submissions should be addressed to:
The Director -General, Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services
For attention: Ms. M Masemola, The Acting Deputy Director-General, ICT Policy and Strategy Development
First Floor, Block A3, iParioli Office Park, 1166 Park Street,
Hatfield, Pretoria
Private Bag X860, Pretoria, 0001
ecabill@dtps.gov.za