[Section 159(1) substituted by section 8(a) of Act No. 17 of 2016]
| (i) | two years from the date the order was made; or |
| (ii) | such shorter period for which the order was made; and |
| (b) | may be extended by a children’s court for a period of not more than two years at a time. |
| (2) | When deciding on an extension of the period of a court order in terms of subsection (1), the court must take cognisance of the views of— |
| (b) | the parent and any other person who has parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child; |
| (c) | where appropriate, the management of the centre where the child is placed; and |
| (2A) | A court may extend an alternative care order that has lapsed or make an interim order for a period not exceeding six months on good cause shown. |
[Section 159(2A) inserted by section 10 of the Children's Amendment Act, 2022, Notice No. 1543, GG47828, dated 5 January 2023 - effective 8 November 2023 per Proclamation 142, GG49615 dated 8 November 2023]
| (2B) | Notwithstanding the amendment to section 150(1)(a), an order placing an orphaned or abandoned child in foster care with a family member in terms of section 156 before or on the date of this Amendment Act, may be extended by the court in terms of section 159(2) or section 186(2). |
[Section 159(2B) inserted by section 10 of the Children's Amendment Act, 2022, Notice No. 1543, GG47828, dated 5 January 2023 - effective 8 November 2023 per Proclamation 142, GG49615 dated 8 November 2023]
| (3) | Subject to section 176(2), a court order referred to in subsection (1) may not extend beyond the date on which the child in respect of whom it was made reaches the age of 18 years. |
[Section 159(3) substituted by section 8(b) of Act No. 17 of 2016]
