{"id":856074,"date":"2026-04-07T09:22:55","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T07:22:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=856074"},"modified":"2026-04-07T09:22:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T07:22:59","slug":"two-new-laws-for-south-africa-waiting-for-ramaphosas-signature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/government\/856074\/two-new-laws-for-south-africa-waiting-for-ramaphosas-signature\/","title":{"rendered":"Two new laws for South Africa waiting for Ramaphosa’s signature"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two new Bills are on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s desk, awaiting his signature: one proposing the creation of a new state-owned company focused on water, and the other, new immigration laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A signature from the President would assent to the laws, making them an Act, finalising an extensive legislative process. Promulgation then follows to put them into effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bills require public comment and approval from the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, with alterations often made along the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While uncommon, Bills are not always signed by the President; the President can return legislation to Parliament if they see any procedural or constitutional issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the case recently, when Ramaphosa returned the RICA Bill to Parliament for reconsideration due to concerns about its constitutionality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President can also refer Bills to the Constitutional Court if there are concerns about the constitutionality of a new piece of legislation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President’s desk only has two bills that require his signature, which is a far cry from the over 20 on his desk ahead of the 2024 elections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two Bills on his desk are currently the Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Amendment Bill and the Immigration Amendment Bill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The former is part of the government’s plan to address the nation’s ongoing water crisis, while the latter offers proposed changes to the nation’s immigration laws. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Amendment Bill<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

South Africa is facing a major water crisis, with taps around the country running dry, particularly in Johannesburg and Knysna, in recent months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ramaphosa said that water shortages caused by infrastructure challenges could be far worse than load shedding, which weakened the economy in 2023 and early 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), Ramaphosa said the nation’s water challenges stem from the neglect of critical infrastructure across municipalities nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there is no quick fix to the problem, Ramaphosa said that the government had committed R156 billion to water infrastructure over the next three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government is also establishing the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency to tackle the issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new state-owned entity will monitor the nation\u2019s water infrastructure and mobilise funding for the infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, noted that the existing system, marked by fragmented responsibilities, has failed to attract the investment needed to tackle water issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the initial South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Act was assented to in 2024, the new Bill looks to amend certain parts of the initial Act. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new amendment seeks to enhance the institutional and governance framework for water infrastructure in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It provides for the Agency’s listing as a major public entity in Schedule 2 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also provides for the delisting of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority from Schedule 2 of the PFMA, which has been responsible for financing and implementing bulk raw water infrastructure projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immigration Amendment Bill<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Immigration Bill amends the Immigration Act of 2002 and addresses two Constitutional Court judgments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One amendment requires that any illegal foreign national detained for deportation purposes be brought before a court in person within 48 hours of arrest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The court will then determine whether further detention is in the interests of justice before authorising the deportation of the foreigner to their home country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This amendment provides critical judicial oversight and provides clear guidance to immigration officers and the courts when exercising detention powers,” said Parliament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“With this Bill, a balance is struck between the government’s need to manage immigration effectively and the need to protect the rights of persons.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It added that the Bill provides a clear framework for immigration officials to reduce legal ambiguity and litigation risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

The Bills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n