In its correspondence, the Commission conveyed its support for the President’s position that the agreement reached between the Department of Basic Education and Solidarity at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (“Nedlac”) does not carry legal binding obligations.

Most importantly, the Commission requested additional information from the Office of the Presidency pertaining to the current consultation processes surrounding sections 4 and 5 of the BELA Act which is before the ad-hoc Clearing House Committee of the Government of National Unity. The Commission also requested clarification on the nature of the consultation process and its legal standing given that the BELA Act has already been enacted.

The Commission further requested that it, and other Chapter 9 institutions, be included in any consultation processes relating to the formulation of the regulatory framework around the BELA Act, and especially sections 4 and 5 of the Act.

As the deadline for the lifting of the three-month suspension on sections 4 and 5 of the BELA Act approaches on December 13, 2024, the Commission would greatly appreciate a timely response from the Office of the Presidency.

END

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