South Africa
Commissions Act, 1947
Act 8 of 1947
- Published in government gazette no. 3800 on 18 April 1947
- Assented to on 1 April 1947
- Commenced on 18 April 1947
- [This is the version of this document from 18 April 1947.]
1. Application of this Act with reference to commissions appointed by the Governor-General
Whenever the Governor-General has, before or after the commencement of this Act, appointed a commission (hereinafter referred to as a "commission") for the purpose of investigating a matter of public concern, he may by proclamation in the Gazette declare the provisions of this Act to be applicable with reference to that commission.2. Commission’s sittings
A commission may sit at any place in the Union or the mandated territory of South-West Africa for the purpose of hearing evidence or addresses or of deliberating.3. Commission’s powers as to witnesses
4. Sittings to be public
All the evidence and addresses heard by a commission shall be heard in public: Provided that the chairman of the commission may, in his discretion, exclude from the place where such evidence is to be given or such address is to be delivered any class of persons or all persons whose presence at the hearing of such evidence or address is, in his opinion, not necessary or desirable.5. Hindering or obstructing a commission
Any person who wilfully interrupts the proceedings of a commission or who wilfully hinders or obstructs a commission in the performance of its functions shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.6. Offences by witnesses
7. Short title
This Act shall be called the Commissions Act, 1947.History of this document
18 April 1947 this version
Published in
government gazette number 3800
Commences.
01 April 1947
Assented to.