I now call upon the hon E M Sogoni, chairperson of the Select Committee on Finance, to lead the debate. [Interjections.] Order!
Thank you very much for protecting me, Deputy Chairperson. Hon members, somehow this Bill is a distortion of the real issue. We are dealing here with one individual who petitioned Parliament so that his pension can go uninterrupted. The person initially stopped working for government and then returned later. So the intention of this Bill is to effect a continuous service.
In terms of clause 56 of the Constitution, citizens of South Africa are permitted to petition and make representations or submissions to Parliament. This is what the person did.
The objectives of the Bill are to give effect to the petition before the National Assembly - we are now at the National Council of Provinces - so that the service of Adv Abraham Kellermann is regarded as continuous service of 20 years. The Select Committee on Finance deliberated on this Bill and now requests this House to support it. Thank you.
Debate concluded.
Bill agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution.