3.1. Cabinet approved the introduction of the Criminal Matters Amendment Bill, 2015 into Parliament.
The amendments provide for changes to the laws pertaining to infrastructure-related offences such cable theft, telephone lines. Stricter provisions are provided for the granting of bail, sentencing of offenders and creating a new offence to criminalise damage to essential infrastructure caused by tampering or interfering with the functioning of basic services through criminal activity.
The bill once passed will ensures that mechanisms are put in place to safeguard infrastructure, in which much needed public investment is placed, to ensure that the country meets its economic growth targets and increases employment.