Belinda Scott, MEC For Finance
The Democratic Alliance has claimed a ‘victory’ at the KZN Legislature claiming they have reined in the KZN Treasury MEC Belinda Scott.
In a statement released on 9 December 2015, the province’s official opposition said it was due to their sustained pressure that saw certain aspects of the controversial KZN Gaming and Betting Amendment Bill scrapped.
“[It] was a victory for the people of KZN after all of the contentious proposals objected to by the DA were removed. The changes mean that KZN Finance MEC Belinda Scott will now have to regulate the limitations of any gaming or betting outlets at retail shopping centres, religious centres and schools,” said spokesperson for finance, MPL Francois Rodgers. he said this meant the Gaming and Betting Board could no longer randomly issue gaming licenses near vulnerable communities.
“The amendments also ensure that there will no longer be a shift of power away from the legislature to the provincial executive and that the finance portfolio committee will continue to play its oversight role of legislation pertaining to the industry. This is a victory in terms of the separation of powers,” said Rodgers.
He said the finance portfolio committee, which sat on Tuesday, also issued an ‘outright objection’ to Scott’s proposal that a ‘single and exclusive KZN horse-racing license be issued for a minimum of 15 years.”
