Riyaz Patel
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed various bills into law, key among the batch, legislation that will enable property deeds to be processed electronically.
The Electronic Deeds Registration System Act will enable the electronic processing, preparation and lodgement of deeds and documents by conveyancers and the Registrar of Deeds.
“It will also enable the registration of large volumes of deeds effectively; improved turnaround times for providing registered deeds and documents to clients; countrywide access to deeds registration services; enhanced accuracy of examination and registration; availability of information to the public, and security features including confidentiality, non-repudiation, integrity and availability,” said Presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko.
South Africa’s property market also stands to gain from the newly signed Property Practitioners Act of 2019, which repeals the 43-year-old Estate Agency Affairs Act of 1976.
“The Bill that the President has assented responds to the dynamic needs of the real estate industry and is aimed at improving the functioning of the property market, which includes regulating the buying, selling and renting of land and buildings,” said Diko.
The Act also puts in place better monitoring mechanisms, including requiring inspectors to obtain warrants to enter premises.
Films and Publications Amendment Act
The Films and Publications Amendment Act provides for the establishment of an Enforcement Committee that will regulate online distribution of films and games.
This extends the compliance obligations of the Films and Publications Act and the compliance and monitoring functions of the Film and Publication Board to online distributors.
“The Amended Act also revises the functions of compliance officers regarding entering and inspection of premises and facilities in which the business of the sale, hire or exhibition of films or games is being conducted,” said Diko.
Through the Board, the law will regulate the creation, possession, production and distribution of films, games and certain publications with a view to protecting children from disturbing and harmful content.
“The President signed the Overvaal Resorts Limited Repeal Bill of 2019, the Property Practitioners Bill of 2019, the Electronic Deeds Registration Systems Bill of 2019, and the Film and Publications Amendment Bill,” said Diko.
