DA urges Ramaphosa to hold off on signing BELA Bill into law

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) is urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to hold off on signing the contentious Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law.

The party said if Ramaphosa goes ahead with a planned signing on Friday, this will endanger the future of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The BELA legislation was introduced with the aim of strengthening governance in the country's education sector.

The DA said during the GNU negotiations, it made it clear that the BELA bill was unacceptable in its current form due to its constitutional implications.

DA Spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the party was disappointed in the president’s decision.

"There are small changes that can be made to the bill - that will make this Bill acceptable to the DA and to other parties. We saw the outcry from community organisations and organisations in the education sector over this.”