1.   The Portfolio Committee has called for the public to submit written submissions on the above draft amendment bill to the Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004 (the SAA) by or before 16 April

2010. The written submissions are to be followed by oral hearings on 20 and 21 April 2010.

2.   Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII) welcome this opportunity to make both a written and an oral submission in accordance with the Constitutional provisions that promote public participation in policy and law making.

3.   SPII is part of a Civil Society Collective on Social Security. This submission is however made in its own name, although it has been endorsed by the National Welfare Forum.

4.   There are two sections to this submission; the first one deals with the amendment to the definition of disability, and the second to the proposed amendment to Section 18 of the Social Assistance Act.

Full document: Submission to The Portfolio Committee on Social Development SPII(3)