Fifth Constitution Amendment Bill is introduced

The Republic of South Africa Constitution Fifth Amendment Bill, establishing a framework for deliberations on the country's future constitutional, economic and social development, was introduced in Parliament. The Bill was based closely on the majority of recommendations of the Schlebusch Commission and was promulgated as Act No 101 of the Republic of South Africa Constitution Fifth Amendment Act. It abolished the Senate, which was replaced with a multiracial President's Council, consisting of sixty White, Coloured and Indian nominated members. The Council was charged with formulating a new Constitution that would give expression to Coloured and Indian political ambitions. The recommendations of this body would lay the basis for the Constitution of a Tricameral Parliament. The Act commenced on 1 August 1983 and was repealed by the Constitution of Republic of South Africa Act No 200 of 1993.