Hansard: Members’s Statements

House: National Assembly

Date of Meeting: 19 Aug 2008

Summary

No summary available.


Minutes

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 19 August 2008

Ms M M NTULI

"National Assembly Chamber Main",Unrevised Hansard,05 Sep 2008,"Take 9 [National Assembly Chamber Main].doc"

ZUMA TRIAL

(Member's Statement)

Ms N MFEKETO(ANC): Chairperson, protocol observed, we salute the thousands of people who turned out in numbers outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court to demonstrate their support for the ANC President, Jacob Zuma, at the conclusion of the application for the indictment against him to be declared invalid and set aside.

In June 2004, this House agreed with the Public Protector's report that President Zuma's rights have been unjustifiably infringed and that he has been improperly prejudiced. He has also been subjected to a vicious and unrelenting trial by the media - tried in the court of public opinion long before his case even came to court. The ANC stands firmly behind Zuma's right as a citizen of South Africa to equal treatment before the law and to be presumed innocent until found otherwise. The ANC will consistently strive to uphold and defend the integrity and creditability of the judiciary and other institutions of the state. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr L K JOUBERT (DA)

END OF TAKE

Ms N MFEKETO (ANC)

VOTING OF MPS ON SCORPIONS BILL

(Member's Statement)

Mr L K JOUBERT (DA): Chair, the very fact that Members of Parliament who were found guilty in court or who are currently under investigation by the Scorpions may be allowed to vote in this House when Bills to close the unit are presented is a serious moral issue. Political parties should ensure that such members do not vote on the Bills.

The public opinion of Parliament has already been severely damaged by the ANC's unseemly rush to bulldoze this ill-conceived legislation through Parliament. This has done great damage to public faith in this institution. This unfortunate situation will be further compounded if Members of Parliament who have been investigated by the Scorpions are allowed to vote on the matter. We need to ensure that the integrity of Parliament is upheld at all costs because our citizens should not be allowed to lose further confidence in this institution. I thank you.

Mrs S A SEATON (IFP)

END OF TAKE

Mr L K JOUBERT (DA)

 

CORRECTIONAL SERVICES MINISTER

(Member's Statement)

Mrs S A SEATON (IFP): Chairperson, the IFP would like to express its disapproval with the alleged interference of Correctional Services Minister, the hon Ngconde Balfour, in the duties of the Correctional Services National Commissioner, Mr Vernie Petersen. We are alarmed by reports that the Minister of Correctional Services has deliberately interfered with the duties of Mr Petersen relating to the procurement of the R200 million food tender for prisons. As the head of prisons and its accounting officer, Mr Petersen should be allowed to work and take decisions relating to our prisons without hindrance from the Minister. The IFP therefore strongly disapproves of Minister Balfour's conduct. We find it odd that the Minister of Correctional Services would intervene in the administrative process of a tender.

Furthermore, the IFP believes that it is unacceptable and out of line for the Minister to threaten to axe the National Commissioner if he didn't obey the Minister's instructions on this matter. This amounts to nothing more than bullying tactics and does not bode well for the future relationship between the Minister and the commissioner.

Ms P BHENGU (ANC)

END OF TAKE

Mrs S A SEATON (IFP)

**incomplete**

SERVICE DELIVERY

(Member's Statement)

15:16:54

IsiXhosa

Ms P BHENGU (ANC):

Rev K R J MESHOE (ACDP)

END OF TAKE

Ms P BHENGU (ANC)

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN ZIMBABWE

(Member's Statement)

Rev K R J MESHOE (ACDP): Chairperson, it has been reported that activists, unionists and others slammed the failure of the SADC summit at the weekend to deal with worldwide demands to have the Mugabe regime's restriction on humanitarian agencies lifted. The work of the humanitarian agencies was stopped by the Zimbabwean Welfare Minister who accused them of having provided campaign support for the opposition, MDC, during the 29 March elections which the MDC won. Now that the elections are over, we question why the Mugabe regime would not allow humanitarian agencies to help feed the millions of starving and hungry Zimbabweans. The ACDP believes that the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe was deliberately caused by politicians with cold hearts and dead consciences as punishment for those who exercised their right to vote for change in their country. This humanitarian crisis can be ended speedily if aid is allowed to reach those who need it the most.

The failure of SADC leadership this past weekend strengthens our belief that Africa needs a new breed of leadership that is committed to principles of integrity, liberty and justice for all. Such leadership must replace rogues and dictators who cause untold suffering to innocent people, particularly women and children. Africa needs a leadership that cares and not a leadership that tortures, persecutes and abuses its very own.

The ADCP comments and applauds the President of Botswana, hon Ian Khama, for his courage and principled decision not to endorse the illegitimate presidency of Mr Mugabe. His actions have earned him respect from the international community, particularly from Africans who are praying and hoping for a change of leadership on the African continent. May I also remind this House that in June this year, the ACDP applauded Kenyan ... [Time expired.]

Mr I E JENNER / END OF TAKE /ES/keh (Eng checked)

END OF TAKE

Rev K R J MESHOE

"National Assembly Chamber Main",Unrevised Hansard,19 Aug 2008,"[Take-10] [National Assembly Chamber Main][NAC-Logger][np].doc"

RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE RELEASE OF SICK INMATES

(Member's Statement)

Mr I E JENNER (ID): Agb Voorsitter en lede, die OD is besonders bekommerd oor die aanbeveling met betrekking tot die vrylating van siek gevangenes. My versoek is egter vandag dat die huidige departementele voorskrifte en voorwaardes voldoen aan die humanitêre vereistes, die fundumentele elemente van vonnisoplegging, die aard en erns van die misdryf asook hoe berouvol oortreders is tussen vonnisuitdiening.

Die voorskrifte bepaal dat terminaal siek gevangenes in die finale stadium van die siekte, om mediese redes vrygelaat kan word. Enige verslapping van die huidige stelsel sal 'n verkeerde syn uitstuur in die huidige klimaat van misdaad. Vorige oortreders wat siek is sal hierdie verslapping sien as 'n geleentheid tot misdadige vergrype in die hoop op vervroegde vrylating.

As die verskaffing van mediese dienste in gevangenisse die uitdaging is, moet dit aangespreek word sonder om die beproefde stelsels te verander. As 'n voormalige korrektiewe beampte is my pleidooi vandag aan die Minister, die Voorsitter en die portfolio komiteelede dat hierdie komplekse aangeleenthede 'n uiters versigtige omsigtige benadering vereis, om deurdagte besluite tot gevolg te hê. Dankie.

Mr S L TSENOLI (ANC)

END OF TAKE

Mr I E JENNER (ID)

SERVICE DELIVERY DISPUTE

(Member's Statement)

Mr S L TSENOLI (ANC) Chairperson, we in the ANC express our deep concern about some residents in some municipalities withdrawing payments of services for reasons of dissatisfaction with service delivery. Our concern stems from the reality that these actions, apart from being illegal, deepen the very problem they claim needs to resolving. We reject the deliberate agitation by these residents into organised obstructions to official local governance. We urge municipalities affected and others in general to intensify their dialogue with all residents to find sustainable solutions to their problem. We urge national and provincial departments relevant to these services to step in with more vigour and in the spirit of business unusual to support municipalities in their engagement with residents.

We also call on the SA Local Government Association, Salga, to intervene swiftly, if it does not already do so, to bring to bearits collective wisdom to the areas affected by these conflicts in support of its municipal members. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr I S MFUNDISI

END OF TAKE

Mr S L TSENOLI (ANC)

 

THE INTERACTION OF THE ANC

(Member's Statement)

Mr I S MFUNDISI (UCDP): Chairperson, the time has come for the ANC to get out of its acts of triumphalism, majoritarianism, denialism and disregard for other role players in the country while the nation is denied services. The shenanigans playing themselves out at the Land Bank are some of the issues about which this government should hang its head in shame. Since the ceremonious departure of Helena Dolny, the bank has been looted right, left and centre by those in holier places in the organisation. The latest scandal where promissory notes of payment have disappeared from a vault is the worst case scenario.

The public admission by government that the criminal justice has reached the lowest levels of paralysis is something we need to worry about. Today prosecutors have dragged the Ministry of Justice to court on account of unfulfilled promises of improvement on remuneration. All this happens as the director-general of the department has been prying over the shoulder of some autonomist employee of government or running around to brief cronies in some provinces on how to respond to parliamentary portfolio committee issues. It is this sort of conduct that should be given a wide berth by those who want the country to prosper. Gone are the days of running with the hare and hunting with the hound.

The number of civil claims issued against the Ministry of Safety and Security that run into millions are a great drawback to the resources of these country. The overzealousness with which some of these officers act leaves much to be desired. It is inexplicable why the case of a pastor whom the police mistook for the fugitive from Justice, Ananias Mathe, drifts to the periphery. This they did even as the man of God spoke and pleaded to them in flawless Setswana which any well-meaning and reasonable police officer would not have mistaken for Mathe's. It is such issues that say to South Africans that the time has come that they think properly about who they will put in charge for their wellbeing. Thank you. [Time has expired.]

Mr L M GREEN (FD)

END OF TAKE

Mr I S MFUNDISI(UCDP)

FAILURE TO WIN THE WAR AGINST CRIME

(Member's statement)

Mr L M GREEN (FD): Chairperson, the FD notes with concern the findings of the review on the criminal justice system set up by the President. The review reveals a staggering incapacity by the state to win the war against crime. Why is our government failing on its most basic function, namely the fight against crime? Our government may succeed in a thousand other areas. But it if it fails to stop the carnage by criminals on innocent citizens, then it fails in its core function.

It is unacceptable that 14 years in our democracy, fighting crime has been the least successful. Crime is possibly the most lucrative postapartheid money-making activity since two million reported crimes go unsolved annually. This implies that criminals have a free reign in our society.

The FD, however, appreciates the honest disclosure in the review and the challenges which remain to fight crime. We call on the Ministry to implement solutions to the problems without any further delay. The FD wishes to draw attention to the serious implication of the review and calls for an urgent reorganisation of safety and security institutions, as well as to review the performance indicators of personnel that must deal with the problems in our criminal justice system. I thank you.

Mr T D LEE (DA)

END OF TAKE

 

Mr L M GREEN (FD)

The SOUTH AFRICAN OLYMPICS EXPO

(Member's Statement)

Mr T D LEE (DA): Chairperson, the DA is appalled by the Department of Sport's poor preparations for its R11 million expo at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Reports from Beijing indicate that the expo is a big flop. The opening of the hospitality centre was delayed by a week. It will also close a week earlier than arranged. Invitations which should have been posted a year ago to sports dignitaries were only sent out a week after the centre should have been up and running.

It is unacceptable that R11 million has been wasted on a poorly planned event while Team South Africa's preparations for the games were underfunded. Last year the department only gave the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, Sascoc, R9 million for Team South Africa's preparations for the Olympics. We call upon the Minister of Sport to ensure that those responsible for this chaos are held to account. I thank you.

Mr M M DIKGACWI (ANC)

END OF TAKE

Mr T D LEE (DA)

SUPPORT FOR TEAM SOUTH AFRICA

(Member's Statement)

Mr M M DIKGACWI (ANC): The ANC wishes to acknowledge and support Team South Africa's efforts at the Beijing Olympic Games irrespective of the negative comments from certain sections of the society which dubbed the team as "hopeless failures". Little attention has been given to the sterling performances of a number of our athletes who broke a string of South African records at the Olympic Games. Unfortunately, efforts like these have gone largely unnoticed.

We need to remind ourselves that the Olympic Games remain the most prestigious sporting event in the world. Competition amongst countries is fierce because winning a medal is most probably the highlight of any participant's sporting career. However, the Olympic Games are more than just winning medals. The Olympic Charter promotes, amongst others, principles of respect for humanity, countries taking their places amongst the family of nations, good sportsmanship, respect for fellow competitors and sharing in the remarkable experience for countries to compete under peaceful conditions.

Upon the return of the team, all stakeholders in sport will have to sit down to analyse and plan for greater success in the future. Greater financial allocations to prepare athletes must be conditional on proper planning. We must spare no effort to improve on our performances and to increase the pool of participants from where athletes for the 2012 games will be selected. Thank you.

Mr M B SKOSANA / src (keh checked)

END OF TAKE

Mr M M DIKGACWI (ANC)

"National Assembly Chamber Main",Unrevised Hansard,19 Aug 2008,"[Take-11] [National Assembly Chamber Main][NAC-Logger][np].doc"

THE CONCLUSION OF THE SADC FREE TRADE AGREEMENT TO FACILITATE REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION, and that

THE IFP COMMENDS PRESIDENT MBEKI FOR MEDIATION ON ZIMBABWEAN CRISIS

(Member's Statement)

Mr M B SKOSANA (IFP): Chairperson, the IFP applauds the conclusion of the SADC free trade agreement to facilitate regional economic integration. This should also be viewed and accepted as the necessary step towards regional political integration and development.

An economically strong SADC region is fundamental to guard against the possible erosion of the economic and political sovereignty of the African people through uncompromising market forces during the scramble for economic globalisation. Furthermore, a politically integrated SADC region would be bringing about a conflict-free African region. It is a fact that a lot more has to be done on the part of SADC member states to operationalise the various protocols of the agreement in order to realise genuine regional development.

The IFP further commends the President of the Republic of SA, Mr Mbeki, as the mediator in the problems facing the people of Zimbabwe for the progress achieved thus far. We wish him support and co-operation on the part of all parties involved, including the international community concerned. We believe that it is absolutely imperative that the next phase of negotiations involve representatives of major role-players within the civic society, namely, women and youth organisations, religious societies, lawyers associations, business, farming, unions, and so on, for a lasting political settlement in Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, the strive has been too long and too deep. It would not allow negotiations to be confined and concluded only between Zanu PF and the MDC factions. Anything that is less than an inclusive solution would be bound to prolong the conflict in Zimbabwe. I thank you.

Mrs M M MADUMISE

END OF TAKE

Mr M B SKOSANA

MOTHERS TO GET THEIR CHILDREN IMMUNISED AGAINST POLIO AND MEASLES

(Member's Statement}

 

Mrs M M MADUMISE: The ANC is calling upon all mothers to get their children immunised against polio and measles. Primary health care workers are currently visiting primary schools to administer the vaccine. Immunisation has been demonstrated in researched trials and efficacy measurements to be one of the most effective public health interventions. Each year, the ANC government dedicates more than 8 million to vaccination measures to all children under the age of 12. This is helping to save many young lives.

We commend the ANC government on its interventions to attack communicable and preventable illnesses through amongst others, immunisation programmes, the strengthening of measures to combat cholera, tuberculosis and ensuring the early treatment of chronic and non-communicable diseases. The achievement of a better health for all is an important part of improving the quality of life for all South Africans.

Ms A M DREYER

END OF TAKE

 

Mrs M M MADUMISE

THE LAUNCH OF JIPSA AND ITS TARGET

(Member's Statement)

Ms A M DREYER: Chairperson, at the launch of the Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition, Jipsa, the Deputy President said, and I quote: "Nothing short of a skills revolution will extricate us from the crisis we face". The DA agreed with her. However, the vehicle designed to drive this skills revolution is desperately in needs of skills revolution itself.

The Sector Education and Training Authorities, Setas, are supposed to help unemployed people to enter learning programmes, and ensure that at least 50% of their intake successfully complete their training. However, most Setas missed this target, with five attaining completion rates even below 10%.

Setas are also supposed to ensure that learners in critical skills programmes gain work experience and that at least 70% successfully find employment. Only one Seta met this target, while the construction and the energy Setas placed no learners at all.

The failure of the Setas is a crime against our youth. However, the DA believes that if we give training back to employers and the industries, who best know what their needs are, the youth of South Africa would receive better quality training that would help them find jobs. [Applause.]

Mr B G MOSALA

END OF TAKE

Ms A M DREYER

EDUCATION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY THE IN KLIPTOWN

(Member's Statement)

Mr B G MOSALA: Chairperson, last Friday, the ANC launched the education campaign in Kliptown. The aim of the initiative was to elevate education from being a departmental or even a governmental issue to being a societal issue - the one that should occupy the attention and energy of all the people. The Freedom Charter said, and I quote:

Education shall be free, compulsory, universal and equal for all children. High education and technical training shall be open to all by means of state allowances and scholarships awarded on the basis of merit.

The ANC believes that if all sections of the society work together, government, communities, civil society, businesses, media and other sectors, we can ensure that all learners benefit from quality education. We call on all South Africans to join us in this campaign as part of the ongoing effort to achieve a better life for all. I thank you. [Applause.]

THE MINISTER OF FINANCE /...TM

END OF TAKE

Mr B G MOSALA

THE INTERACTION OF THE ANC

THE CONCLUSION OF THE SADC FREE TRADE AGREEMENT TO FACILITATE REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

"National Assembly Chamber Main",Unrevised Hansard,28 Aug 2008,"Take 12 [National Assembly Chamber].doc"

"National Assembly Chamber Main",Unrevised Hansard,19 Aug 2008,"[Take-12] [National Assembly Chamber Main][NAC-Logger][np].doc"

LAND BANK ISSUE; SADC SUMMIT AND FTA

(Ministerial Response)

The MINISTER OF FINANCE: Chairperson, I want to say thank you to the members for the statements. Let me respond to the comments of three members, the first of those would be the hon Mfundisi. The issues he raised about the Land Bank are those that we ourselves, have raised. We can raise them as work in progress, because we are not ashamed of addressing problems as and when they arise. So, I really do not understand what the issues are and I would like him to separate out between those issues which we raised and those that are speculatively raised by the press. The story that he refers to in the Mail and Guardian about the Director General of justice and Constitutional affairs is completely speculative and ungrounded and it must be seen as such. We must stop converting what journalist write into facts unless it can be supported by a fact.

In respect of SADC the hon Skosana and the hon Meshoe take two diametrically opposite views to the same events. I find myself aligning with the hon Skosana as I was there for all of the time. To the hon Meshoe, I do not know what the source of his information is. The issues before this annual SADC summit related firstly, to the Free Trade Area we understand the work that is there to be done in respect of the FTA. We understand the journey that must be travelled and we understand the opportunities and potential that the Free Trade agreement brings to all 15 member sates of SADC, but we must also say to our member states of SADC that choices will have to be exercised about which regional bodies they belong to.

For that reason on the continent we will have the first summit between SADC, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the East Africa Community in October in Kampala so that we can deal with these issues. That is the work of development on the continent. Along the way because SADC had appointed President Mbeki as a mediator issues that arose broadly within the SADC summit also arose in the context of the organ on politics, peace and security, and SADC heads of state there are in agreement with the route to be pursued. I do not know what the source of information is that the hon Rev K R J Meshoe has, because nobody else appears to have the same source of information. It is a figment of somebody's imagination, not supported by facts and therefore probably does not merit a discussion in this House. I thank you. [Applause.]

THE MINISTER OF LABOUR

END OF TAKE

The MINISTER OF FINANCE

 

ASSISTING OF STUDENTS BY THE DEPARTMENTS; AND HON DREYER'S IGNORANCE

(Ministerial Response)

 

IsiXhosa

uMPHATHISWA WEZEMISEBENZI: Siyabulela Mhlalingaphambili, kumama uBhengu ngokubonisa ukuthi kanti bakhona abantu abakubonayo okuhle esithi sikwenze, ngoko ke la maSebe elezemiSebenzi kunye neleMfundo aya kuhlala ethe gqolo ke ukunceda abafundi abafuna ulwazi ngezemisemisebenzi...

English

...to an extent that now we are employing career guidance councillors in order to assist people in all our regional officers. However, I am amazed by the ignorance that has been displaced by the hon Dreyer. I do not know why she is so ignorant. It may well be that she has to go back to school to demand from her teachers some money. That she does not know that Seta boards are controlled and managed by employers amazes me. I am flabbergasted by your lack of knowledge Mister.

IsiXhosa

Kodwa liyinene lona elokokuba inqwelo ehambayo nebalekayo izinja ziyayikhonkotha emileyo ke ziyayintsontsela nenkukhu zizalela kuyo. Umbutho wesizwe wona i-ANC ingekangeni nokungena kurhulumente yazibophelela ekumiseleni amanqwanqwa kuzo zonke iinkalo zoqeqesho ukuze iphuhlise izakhono zabantu beli lizwe. Kula mqulu wayo owaziwa ngokuba yi-ANC Ready to Govern...

 

English

...it committed itself to the establishment of all sector specific training in other words the Setas. Therefore these Setas were planned even before the ANC came into government, even before the DA became DA; you were still a DP whatever democracy you were espousing at that time. The ANC already indicated that we shall establish Setas in this country. Ideologically we are poles apart you will never therefore fit into the ideology of the ANC. Kiss this country goodbye. The ANC will rule this country.

The MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION

END OF TAKE

 

THE MINISTER OF LABOUR

SOME HANDICAPS WITH RESPECT TO PROGRAMMES IN BEIJING

(Ministerial Response)

The MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION: Chairperson, I am pleased the hon Mr Lee raised the question so that the members - as the Minister of Finance has correctly said should not rely on what the media says. They should rely on fax, and as the honourable members they should research issues before they assume them to be facts. The facts are as follows:

The hon Lee is correct in that there have been some handicaps with respect to our programmes in Beijing, but he is being hyperbolical because on the 5 August 2008 the scheduled press conference did take place and we addressed 17 media houses and additional today we addressed the South African media houses including John Bailey and his crew of the SABC. That was a scheduled event and it did take place irrespective of what the grey-hair is whispering.

The second event was the following night on the 6 August 2008 when we received our athletes from Korea where they had been preparing for the last time. We had a wonderful night. You ask them and also ask the journalists as the South African journalists were there. It was a full house of over 500 people enjoying themselves until of course we had to leave quickly because that same evening President Bush and his wife, his father and his wife; and his brother and his wife were arriving at the Western Hotel from Bangkok. This is an empirical truth. I am not fabricating here, and because of that we were told our time in the Western hotel is over and so we left, but we had achieved the scheduled objectives of welcoming our athletes.

The next function was scheduled for the 9 August. It could not take place for three reasons. The first one is what Mr Lee calls the administrative inefficiencies. We agree with you on that. The honourable member again asked that we should take steps, we also agree on that. The Public Finance Management Act directs us to do that, but we cannot do that until those members are back from Beijing, and they can face the accounting. Now, the other reason for that is because our marketing merchandise Mr Lee was embargoed on the customs of Beijing, and that took a lot of negotiation and upping and towing to get them released. There was no way that we could not have had them embargoed. We could not help that it was beyond our control. Why, because... because, why, you are right... [Laughter.] [Interjections.]

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr G Q M Doidge): Minister, you are running out of time. I will allow you a few seconds to round up.

The MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION: Chairperson, we have run out of time many times in Beijing. The function that the hon Lee is alluding to, which is scheduled to market the 2010 expertise is taking place as scheduled at 1900 hours on the 21 August 2008, and it will be addressed by the hon Minister Essop Pahad and the hon Deputy Minister Jabu Moleketi. It is going on as scheduled. So out of four events, only one did not take place because of those exigencies that I have explained. Thank you.

THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION /zc/

END OF TAKE

THE MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION

"National Assembly Chamber Main",Unrevised Hansard,26 Aug 2008,"Take-13[National Assembly Chamber Main].doc"

"National Assembly Chamber Main",Unrevised Hansard,19 Aug 2008,"[Take-13] [National Assembly Chamber Main][NAC-Logger][np].doc"

EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

ZUMA TRIAL

(Minister's Response)

The MINISTER OF EDUCATION: Chairperson, I wish to welcome the statement by the hon Mosala on behalf of the ANC which recognises the successful launch of the Health and Education Campaign of the ANC. The campaign is a call to action and mass mobilisation of all South Africans to call on each one of us to play a role in advancing the objectives of a quality education for all our children in our country. It seeks each person to commit to action and participation.

We have said before that it is impossible for us to achieve, merely as a department or Ministry, the wide breadth of challenges that must be addressed in education, and therefore we welcome the ANC's commitment to mobilising the entire society; all our branches, every individual, every community, every governing body, every member of Parliament to play a role in advancing quality education.

With respect to the statement by the hon Mfeketo, I think it is absolutely correct in her assertion that the ANC respects all institutions of governance and democracy in South Africa. We trust that all of them from the prosecutorial services up to the Constitutional Court will exercise their distinct and independent role with full attention to the status in society and with due attention to the full democratic and judicial rights of all persons who come before them. Thank you.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

END OF TAKE

 

THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION

CORRECTIONAL SERVICES MINISTER

(Minister's Response)

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES: Chairperson, I would like to respond to the matter or statement raised by the hon Seaton. I would like to echo the sentiments of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Sport and Recreation in terms of us been led by reports in the media. I understand because this matter came out in the weekend newspapers and maybe the hon member prepared her statement then. Subsequent to that there was a submission this morning made to the portfolio committee on this very matter, led by the Chief Deputy Commissioner on development and care under which our nutritional programmes fall.

I also believe that the matter was clarified at the meeting because both the Minister and I were not at the meeting. I am not sure if member Seaton was there, but if she was not there I am sure we can make, as a matter of public record, those reports available to the hon member as well as to the House at large. Thank you.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

END OF TAKE

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF CORRECIONAL SERVICES

SADC REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

(Minister's Response)

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY: Chairperson, I want to respond to the statement by the hon Skosana and just to indicate that I welcome the fact that he has drawn our attention to the fact that from now on substantially all trade will take place without the payment of duties between 12 countries that have a combined Gross Domestic Product of US$360 billion and a population of 170 million.

He is also quite correct to say that a lot more has to be done to make that Free Trade Area promote growth and development in our region. A lot more is the build-in agenda of technical matters like trade facilitation rules of origin and so on, but the fundamental question which we all need to confront is, what further steps need to be taken to advance real integration beyond the Free Trade Agreement?

In government we have supported the developmental approach which is argued that the fundamental barriers to grow into regional trade in developing regions have often have got much to do with underdeveloped production structures and inadequate infrastructure. Building on that we have argued that the fundamental priorities now are to develop co-operation in industrial policy and advance infrastructure development programmes, and that they ought to have priority over formal trade arrangements in an integration programme.

I will invite Parliament in its own right and also as part of organs like the Southern African Development Community's Parliamentary Forum to engage further with these very critical matters as to how to advance our integration programme in the SADC region and build on the important gains which we have made with the launching of the Free Trade Area. Thank you.

Mr I VADI / LM / END OF TAKE