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The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) passed four bills at its hybrid plenary sitting today: the Special Appropriation Bill, the Global Minimum Tax Bill, the Global Minimum Tax Administration Bill, and the Older Persons Amendment Bill. 

The Special Appropriation Bill was tabled in Parliament by the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, when he presented the 2024 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in the National Assembly on 30 October. It was then referred to the Standing Committee on Appropriations for consideration. The Committee received a briefing from the National Treasury on the Bill on 6 November 2024.

The Bill proposes additional funding to the Presidency of R17.3 million for the International Court of Justice-related costs. It also proposes additional funding to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of R40 million for the department’s legal proceedings against Israel in the International Court of Justice, R38.2 million for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for the department’s sub-programme expenditure relating to proceedings against Israel in the International Court of Justice, and R5.021 billion to the Department of Transport for the South African National Roads Agency to settle its maturing debt.

Among its key objectives, the Special Appropriation Bill provides that money may be withdrawn from the National Revenue Fund (NRF) only through appropriation by an Act of Parliament. The Bill recommends that additional funds be appropriated in the 2024/25 financial year for the state’s requirements and to provide for matters related to the country’s national government budgetary requirements. This is all in accordance with section 213(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

The Global Minimum Tax Bill and Global Minimum Tax Administration Bill were also introduced on 30 October. The Bills impose a 15% multinational top-up tax on the profits of multinational enterprises with a consolidated annual revenue of at least 750 million Euros. This will help Treasury raise about R8 billion in corporate income tax by 2026/27, which will reduce the country’s budget deficit amid high debt servicing costs and low revenue performance.

The Older Persons Amendment Bill aims to provide more protection for older people and to prevent and combat ageism against older persons. The amendments expand the definition of “caregiver” and “family care” to include any other person providing support and assistance to older persons. The amendments specify that when a social worker or healthcare provider removes an older person for temporary safe care on reasonable grounds, they must obtain a court order for the placement within 48 hours. Further, the Bill mandates that individuals with expunged criminal records must provide proof of rehabilitation before being allowed to work with older persons.

Upon the NCOP considering all four Bills, the House agreed to adopt them without amendments. The Bills will now be sent to the President for assent.

Issued by Parliament