A Critical Analysis of the Amendments Proposed to the Social and Ethics Committee by the Companies Amendment Bill, 2018

Authors: Delani Milton Mahhumane and Rehana Cassim

ISSN: 1996-2185
Affiliations: Former Postgraduate Assistant, Department of Mercantile Law, University of South Africa; Associate Professor, Department of Mercantile Law, University of South Africa
Source: South African Mercantile Law Journal, Volume 33 Issue 2, 2021, p. 153 – 175
https://doi.org/10.47348/SAMLJ/v33/i2a1

Abstract

The Companies Amendment Bill, 2018 proposes certain changes to the social and ethics committee established in terms of s 72(4) of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 and reg 43 of the Companies Regulations, 2011. These new provisions are critically discussed in this article. Although some of these provisions are commendable, others give rise to certain concerns examined here: the lack of clarity in the functions of the social and ethics committee, the proposed amendments regarding its appointment and composition, and the ambiguity in the exemptions from the requirement to appoint this committee. This article also suggests further amendments to the current legislative provisions regarding this committee.