South African parliament debates minerals bill

The South African parliament is due later on Tuesday to debate a controversial bill which will transfer the custody of all mineral rights from private companies and individuals to the state.

Black business and labour organisations say the new legislation will ensure that the black majority of South Africans participates in the mining industry, which was dominated by whites during the apartheid era.

But critics of the minerals bill say it violates property rights and will undermine the confidence of international investors in the South African economy.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service