GNU Clearing House Mechanism: Terms of Reference Adopted

Posted 30 October 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Presidency

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Government of National Unity (GNU) clearing house mechanism has formally adopted its terms of reference to resolve policy disagreements within the 10-member administration.

Established in September 2024, the clearing house mechanism serves as a formal platform for mediating disputes regarding the implementation and policy foundations of significant legislation. While the terms of reference have been adopted as a ‘living document’, they are currently awaiting final ratification by the political leaders forum and have not yet been released to the public.

The mechanism is specifically tasked with addressing contested regulatory frameworks, including:

  • The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, 2024;
  • The National Health Insurance (NHI) Act, 2024; and
  • The Expropriation Act, 2024.

To date, the only dispute formally declared through this mechanism pertains to specific policies within the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act. However, the mechanism is expected to play a role in resolving ongoing policy friction regarding the National Health Insurance Act and the Expropriation Act, as indicated by recent political representations. The clearing house is scheduled to convene on a monthly basis to manage these and future legislative disputes.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Monitor the clearing house outcomes for signals of legislative amendments or implementation delays that may affect the accuracy of professional advice provided to stakeholders.
  • For your business: Firms operating in the education, healthcare, or property sectors must account for potential regulatory uncertainty as the GNU attempts to reconcile conflicting policy positions on the BELA and NHI Acts.
  • For your clients: Advise clients that the implementation timelines and specific compliance requirements for the National Health Insurance Act and Expropriation Act remain subject to adjustment based on the outcomes of these monthly deliberations.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/gnu-clearing-house-mechanism-tor-finally-adopted

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