By Brig Dirk Lambrechts
Question:
The “Bela Act” is an acronym derived from the “Basic Education Law Amendment Act 32 of 2024” (hereinafter referred to as the “Bela Act”). Depending on how one looks at this Bela Act, it has been (as a Bill) and still is (as a promulgated Act) controversial.
The promulgated Bela Act is published in English and Afrikaans in Government Gazette No 51258 dated 16 September 2024 with the English text signed by the President.
From section 1 to section 40, this Bela Act contains amendments made to the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 (hereinafter referred to as the “Schools Act”). From section 41 to section 54, this Bela Act contains amendments made to the Employment of Educators Act 76 of 1998.
The question is “where do law enforcers (especially the SAPS) fit in with this Act?”
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[This is only an extract of an article that is published in Servamus: December 2024. This article is available for purchase.]