New legislation passed
2004-08-20 10:08
Cape Town - The National Assembly passed two pieces of legislation on Thursday - one on immigration matters and another on abortion.
The Immigration Amendment Bill was passed with the approval of all parties, but the abortion bill had a slightly more rocky ride.
The immigration legislation changes a number of clauses in the principal Act including removing the requirement for a training levy on foreigners who wanted to start a business in South Africa.
The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill will allow trained registered nurses - instead of only registered midwives - to perform the procedure.
The measure was passed with only 52 MPs voting against the measure - of a total of 400 - and 15 abstaining. The United Christian Democratic Party led by former Bophuthatswana president Lucas Mangope, the African Christian Democratic Party and the Freedom Front Plus voted against the measure, while the Democratic Alliance allowed a free vote.
- I-Net Bridge (News24)