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{
    "id": 660586,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/660586/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 112,
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    "content": "fact, I agree with the amendments to Clauses 26 and 27 and the amendments thereof and a committee that had been set up under Clause 23 called Therapeutic Committee. We had suggested that it would not be in order to have a committee that deals with anti-doping without having a person from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. We had suggested an amendment because some substances that might be banned by the WADA come in legitimately and are sold by the licensed chemists. The only persons who could deal with such chemists, in terms of punishment, would be that board but they have been excluded from the authority and I can see there is an attempt to amend that. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, lastly is about the definitions under Clause 14. Again, tiding up to ensure that every possible method of carrying banned substances, attempting to dope, assisting to dope, abetting doping, aiding doping or even thinking of doping is covered in this. So, it is a question of ensuring that every loophole and every possible method is given. In fact, under Clause 14(d), they have introduced “whereabout failures.” This is complicated drafting, but we know that in terms of rules and international standards, they have ensured that international standards on anti-doping are included into the last possible position. Therefore, this is also a warning to persons who have been covered here as athletes. It is important that they know that there is a category of a person called “national level athlete.” It has defined who that is, where they participate and how they participate. They should know that this will catch up with them. There is a further definition of “prohibited association” to the extent that it will be illegal to be associated with persons who are considered prohibited or prohibited associations in this Bill. This goes into great lengths to that extent. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have no hesitation in my mind that we are passing a penal law with extreme penal consequences. Therefore, in terms of any law that prescribes penal sentences or attempts to prohibit and punish a person who commits crimes, this law is, on all fours, a penal law that is extreme in terms of its definition and punishment. Most importantly, it has afforded an opportunity for those persons who are found to have committed any crimes or offences under this law to go and report or go to a tribunal for an appeal. I beg to support."
}