Hansard: Minister's Responses / Member's Statements
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 16 Aug 2010
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
TUESDAY, 17 AUGUST 2010
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
_____________
The House met at 14:02.
The Deputy Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
NOTICES OF MOTION
START OF DAY
NOTICES OF MOTION
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that, on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House -
(1) notes the findings of the Freedom House Report, entitled
"Freedom of the Press 2010: A Global Survey of Media Independence", in which the South African media has been downgraded from free to partly free; and
(2) debates the threats to the freedom of the media and comes up with suggestions on how to ensure an enabling environment in order for the media to thrive. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE: Madam Deputy Speaker, I give notice that, on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:
That the House notes that, in view of the fact that Hansard will be a century old on 31 October 2010, I propose that this House debates the centenary of Hansard.
Mr M S F DE FREITAS
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE
Mr M S F DE FREITAS: Madam Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that, on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House -
(1) notes the confusion that exists between Transnet and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, Prasa, with regards to their respective usage of rail infrastructure; and
(2) debates the problems that currently exist in this regard and identifies solutions to solve them. [Applause.]
Mr D A KGANARE
Mr M S F DE FREITAS
Mr D A KGANARE: Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that, on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of Cope:
That the House -
(1) debates the consequences of the measles outbreak in
Malawi, where 9 000 people have already fallen ill and 44 have died;
(2) South Africa should be cautious as this communicable
disease can easily spread to South Africa and increase the child mortality rate as it has affected 55 Zimbabweans this weekend and killed 384 children.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are not discussing but giving notice. Are you giving notice and not discussing?
Mr D A KGANARE: Yes, I'm giving notice.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Alright, but it's too long.
Mr D A KGANARE:
(3) calls on government to be fully proactive in ensuring that
its immunisation campaign reaches all communities in both rural and urban areas nationwide to prevent the spread of measles efficiently and effectively.
Ms P C DUNCAN
Mr D A KGANARE
Ms P C DUNCAN: Hon Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that, on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House –
(1) notes the current programme of the Gauteng Department of
Social Development to remove from the care of their parents children being used as beggars on the streets of Tshwane Municipality; and
(2) debates the circumstances under which children living in poverty can be removed from the care of their parents or guardians, and comes up with solutions that can enhance human dignity and appropriate care.
Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr M L FRANSMAN
Ms P C DUNCAN
Mr M L FRANSMAN: Hon Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that, on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates the promotion of strategies, programmes and plans to promote nonracial integration as well as social cohesion amongst tertiary students.
Ms C DUDLEY
Mr M L FRANSMAN
Ms C DUDLEY: Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that, on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the ACDP:
That the House debates the social burden on communities resulting from the abuse of alcohol and whether or not government's response to the situation is adequate and producing results.
Thank you.
Ms C N Z ZIKALALA
Ms C DUDLEY
Ms C N Z ZIKALALA: Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that, on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move:
That the House debates the crisis unfolding within our education system due to the current teachers strike.
Thank you.
Ms A M DREYER
Ms C N Z ZIKALALA
Ms A M DREYER: Madam Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that, on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates the threat that illegal squatting poses to the special status of the Cradle of Humankind in Kromdraai as a world heritage site, considering that the West Rand District Municipality is failing to enforce a court order of the North Gauteng High Court to stop these unlawful and damaging activities.
Mr B GOQWANE
Ms A M DREYER
Mr B GOQWANE (ANC): Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that, on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates the accessibility of antiretroviral drugs in the rural areas.
Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr Z LUYENGE
Mr B GOQWANE
Mr Z LUYENGE (ANC): Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that, on the next sitting day of the House, I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates South Africa's readiness to deal with natural disasters.
I thank you. [Applause.]
MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
NOTICES OF MOTION
TRAGIC ACCIDENT IN EASTERN CAPE
Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House -
(1) notes the devastating accident that took place over the weekend in the Ngqeleni district in the Eastern Cape;
(2) further notes that eight people were killed and 17 others injured when a construction truck veered off onto a gravel road and overturned;
(3) conveys its deepest sympathy to the families who have lost loved ones in this tragic accident and assures them that the thoughts and prayers of its members are with them during this difficult time.
Agreed to.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
SUPPORT FOR HOSTING OF ICC WOMEN'S CRICKET CHALLENGE
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House -
(1) notes that South Africa has been selected to host the inaugural International Cricket Council, ICC, Women's Cricket Challenge which takes place in October;
(2) further notes that this international competition is an opportunity for some of the world's best women cricket teams which include Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the West Indies, Ireland and the Netherlands to showcase their skills in a series of One Day International games which will be played predominantly in Potchefstroom in the North West province;
(3) recognises that South Africa has once again been selected to host an international sporting event which will attract tourists to the country;
(4) further recognises that we have been afforded a further opportunity to showcase South Africa on the international stage and encourages all South Africans to support the event and help build on the legacy of the 2010 Fifa World Cup to ensure that South Africa remains a destination of choice for tourists;
(5) extends its best wishes to the South African team and expresses its confidence in the team's ability to win this tournament; and
(6) calls on all South Africans to fly the flag for the team in this tournament and help them to build momentum for the African qualifying games for the 2013 Cricket World Cup, which will be played in December.
Agreed to.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION
CONGRATULATIONS TO GOOGLE ANITA BORG MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House -
(1) notes that two African women have become the first recipients of the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship for outstanding contributions and leadership in computer science, and that to qualify for the award, candidates must be female students at a university in Europe, the Middle East or Africa and must be studying computer science, computer engineering, informatics or a related field;
(2) further notes that South African Sinini Ncube, a masters student at Rhodes University, and Kenyan-born Shikoh Gitau, a doctoral candidate at the University of Cape Town, have both won the scholarship and will each receive a cash prize of R67 000 and an opportunity to visit Google's engineering facility in Zurich;
(3) recognises that Ncube and Gitau are the first sub-Saharan students to receive the award, which is open to applicants from Europe, the Middle East and, for the first time, in 2010, Africa – provided they are women; and
(4) congratulates the two women on their achievement and for showing the world that the African continent can compete successfully internationally in the field of computer science, computer engineering and informatics.
Agreed to.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
SELECTION OF 12 SOUTH AFRICAN CLIMATE SCIENTISTS FOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL REPORT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House –
(1) welcomes the selection of 12 South African climate scientists to contribute to a crucial Intergovernmental Report on Climate Change;
(2) notes that the scientists are part of more than 800 scientists selected to write the Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report;
(3) further notes that theirs is to assess the global body of scientific research so as to deliver a robust report that can be used to inform national and global policies on climate change;
(4) believes that the report will play an important role in providing a knowledge base for national and global societies to make an informed decision on future intervention strategies on climate change;
(5) further believes that the inclusion of 12 South African climate scientists on this panel is an indication of the advancement of South African science and the quality of their work; and
(6) congratulates the 12 South African climate scientists on their new endeavour, and for hoisting the South African flag high.
Agreed to.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
CONGRATULATIONS ON SOUTH AFRICA'S VICTORY IN THE WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS FOR AFRICA
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House –
(1) notes that South Africa cleaned up at the annual World Travel Awards for Africa, winning 36 awards out of the total 49 categories;
(2) further notes that, for the sixth time in seven years, the city of Cape Town was named Africa's leading destination at the awards ceremony held in Sandton, with South African Airways being named Africa's leading airline, South African Tourism the continent's leading tourism board, and Durban harbour the leading port;
(3) congratulates all winners in their respective categories; and
(4) further congratulates the South African tourism industry for representing South Africa and the African continent well.
Agreed to.
MEMBERS' STATEMENTS
MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
OVERSIGHT VISIT TO COSMO CITY
(Member's Statement)
Ms D E DLAKUDE (ANC): Deputy Speaker, during an oversight visit to Gauteng the Human Settlement Portfolio Committee visited Cosmo City. This is a mixed-use, fully integrated sustainable housing development on the Breaking New Ground strategy lunched in 2004. The development consists of 12 500 units comprised of RDP, financed-linked bonded units and rental apartments, of these some 8 200 units have been completed.
Sites for schools, clinics, churches, parks and recreational facilities, commercial and retail shopping centres and industry indicate a well thought out plan. Pretty gardens were being grown and children were playing in the parks and enjoying the trampolines, amongst other things. Everything was neat and tidy and there was no litter.
Education forms part of the ongoing work. On Saturdays, people can come and learn about beautifying their homes with gardens and growing their own vegetables, and 700 000 trees are being planted. This is a partnership between the City of Johannesburg, the Gauteng provincial government and private company Codefco Business Developments.
Cosmo City is a very good example of the new human settlements now being planned by the ANC-led government where their people can live, work, pray and play in a safe and pleasant environment. Thank you. [Applause.]
Dr W G JAMES (DA)
Ms D E DLAKUDE (ANC)
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED BETWEEN DA AND ID
(Member's Statement)
Dr W G JAMES (DA): On Sunday there was an historic step in the realignment of South African politics.
A political memorandum of understanding was signed between the ID and DA to come together and to fight elections under the DA's banner.
This memorandum of the DA and the ID heralds the beginning of a new phase in South Africa's journey away from the politics of racial identity, towards the politics of shared values. These values will form the bedrock of the new majority we are building in South Africa.
The political contest in South Africa is therefore now between the values of openness and opportunities for all, as envisaged in the Constitution, versus the drive led by the ANC to suffocate the DA's space and to limit opportunities to the politically-connected few.
More and more South Africans are discovering this fact every day, and in 2011 they will express this at the ballot box which will result in a greater number of municipalities falling into the control of the DA.
We look forward therefore to making the South African dream – of one nation united under the Constitution – a reality for all who live in it. [Applause.]
Ms H N NDUDE (Cope)
Dr W G JAMES (DA)
WATER SHORTAGE CRISIS
(Member's Statement)
Mrs H N NDUDE (Cope): The water shortage, which is now looming, is going to be a crisis bigger than any this country has ever witnessed and its implications will be huge. At the level at which water is currently being used, water supply will be unable to meet the demand by 2015.
To add to our problems, many of our streams and water sources are heavily polluted. Some of the water is so acidic and so heavily laced with poisonous metals that it has become a danger to humans, animals and to our agriculture. Now, even the whole city of Johannesburg is being threatened by the rise of acid water.
The extent to which effluents are being released by municipalities into the streams is another serious problem that requires drastic action. We demand that a very strict standard be imposed so that a dam such as the Hartbeespoort Dam, which is fed by the Jukskei, Hennops and Crocodile River, as an example, will not become a cocktail of chemicals devoid of oxygen, killing all life within it.
Researchers are very worried about two problems with water in South Africa: Firstly, with respect to quantity; and secondly, that it involves the quality of the water.
The poor and inefficient management of this vital resource is going to impacted negatively on our agriculture and our industries. It will also cause the price of water to soar and that will have a major impact on householders. [Time expired.] Thank you.
Ms M F TLAKE (ANC)
Mrs H N NDUDE (Cope)
COMBATING CRIMINAL NETWORKS
(Member's Statement)
Ms M F TLAKE (ANC): Hon Deputy Speaker, the ANC-led government views crime as a major challenge, with criminal networks having grown in their reach and sophistication, across national boundaries. This includes syndicates that deal with money laundering, human smuggling as well as drug trafficking and abuse.
In addressing this challenge, the Deputy Minister of Police, Fikile Mbalula, met with the People' s Republic of China's Vice Minister of Public Safety, Chen Jian, on Friday, 1 August 2010 to sign minutes of talks relating to police operations between the two countries.
These talks mainly focused on intensifying transnational crime combating operations but also explored lessons China and South Africa could learn from each other's security models as well as the countries' exchange of intelligence information on a range of issues. This includes drug trafficking, illegal immigration, money laundering, arms smuggling and human trafficking.
Through this co-operation we will be able to work closely within the framework of enhanced policing. This will result in providing assistance in case investigations and handing over criminal suspects, subject to the law relating to mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and extradition. [Time expired.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can I remind the hon members that statements are supposed to be only one and half minutes?
Mr K P SITHOLE (IFP)
Ms M F TLAKE (ANC)
CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
(Member's Statement)
Mr K P SITHOLE (IFP): Madam Speaker, the IFP has taken notice of President Zuma's interest in the present corruption within several government departments currently under investigation by the Special Investigation Unit.
We believe that all forms of government corruption must be identified anderadicated as a matter of urgency. If the ANC is to deliver successfully on the many promises it has made to the citizens of our country, stepping up the fight against corruption will go a long way in eradicating the many service delivery problems that are currently plaguing most government departments.
The IFP, unreservedly, supports strong initiatives to eradicate corruption. I thank you.
Mnr P J GROENEWALD (VF Plus)
Mr K P SITHOLE (IFP)
INVESTIGATION BY THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATION UNIT
(Member's Statement)
Afrikaans:
Mnr P J GROENEWALD (VF PLUS): Adjunkspeaker, die VF Plus verwelkom die aankondiging van President Zuma dat die Spesiale Ondersoek Eenheid korrupsie gaan ondersoek en dat dit die polisie gaan insluit.
Hierdie ondersoek moet egter nie net handel oor die tydperk van die vorige hoof van die polisie, Jackie Selebi nie, maar moet ook alle diensverskaffersooreenkomste wat aangegaan is sedert die aanvang van genl Cele se termyn in Junie 2009, insluit.
Die VF Plus het 'n klag by die Openbare Beskermer ingedien en 'n antwoord van haar ontvang dat sy ondersoek sal instel na die sluit van die R500 miljoen huurkontrak vir 'n nuwe polisiehoofkantoor.
Die feit dat die kontrak deur die Departement van Openbare Werke geteken is, verskoon egter nie genl Bheki Cele se rol nie, aangesien die behoeftebepaling vir akkommodasie deur genl Cele geëvalueer en onderteken is. Genl Cele kan hom dus nie verskoon van hierdie transaksie nie.
Daar bestaan geen regverdiging vir die prosedure wat gevolg is om nog 'n gebou op 'n dringende basis te bekom nie. Daar is tans 'n huurkontrak in plek vir die polisie se hoofkantoor. Slegs nadat hierdie huurtermyn ten einde gekom het, behoort 'n nuwe gebou betrek te word. Belastingbetalers se geld gaan nou gebruik word om twee huurkontrakte vir twee geboue vir die polisie te betaal.
Die regering moet egter nie net stop by die instel van ondersoeke na korrupsie in sekere staatsdepartemente nie. Amptenare wat betrokke is by korrupsie, ongeag hul posisie en politieke lojaliteite, moet vervolg word.
Hierdie vervolging moet nie net beperk word tot die amptenare wat korrupsie gepleeg het nie, maar moet ook die amptenare wat in bestuursposte is en moet toesien dat amptenare die korrekte prosedures volg met die toekenning van kontrakte en die ontvangs van dienste, insluit. Dankie.
Mr MAGAMA (ANC)
Mr P J GROENEWALD (VF Plus)
CELEBRATION OF SADC'S 30th ANNIVERSARY
Member's Statement
Mr H T MAGAMA (ANC): Madam Deputy Speaker, the ANC will equally and joyfully celebrate with the SA Development Community, SADC, on its 30th anniversary in Namibia's capital, Windhoek. The SADC has been in existence since 1980 and its main aim was to co-ordinate development projects in order to lessen the economic dependence on the then apartheid South Africa.
Today, the SADC's vision is one of economic wellbeing; improved standards of living and quality of life; freedom and social justice; and peace and security for the people of Southern Africa. The SADC's common agenda is based on various principles such as development orientation; subsidiary; market integration and development; facilitation and promotion of trade and investment; and variable geometry.
The SADC region is still facing a number of challenges that needs to be resolved so as to ensure its effective function. The ANC believes that it is important to consolidate SADC as a regional economic community. Therefore, the ANC government has to play a prominent role in strengthening and consolidating the region politically. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr K J DIKOBO
Mr H T MAGAMA
AVERTING THE PUBLIC SECTOR STRIKE
Member's Statement
Mr K J DIKOBO (Azapo): Madam Deputy Speaker, depending on the decision of leaders of public sector unions tomorrow, South Africa could be faced with a huge public sector strike. We have no intention of doing collective bargaining in this house, but we want to raise the following: the country cannot afford to have a strike at this sensitive stage, particularly for the education sector.
The strike will have a crippling effect on the lives of ordinary people. We still want to urge the parties to try and find each other. It will be unfortunate, if, as in the 2007 public sector strike, the state as employer comes up with a revised offer after disruptions and loss of valuable time.
We are seeing the same approach in Tlakgameng in the North West Province where government somehow found the money to construct the tarred road. We are told that things will go back to normal in Tlakgameng, but the reality is that schools have been destroyed in the process. Why did it take all the time and damage for the relevant authorities to "find the money"? That is why we are telling the employer to go and find the money to avert the strike, if it can be found. I thank you. [Applause.]
Ms S P LEBENYA-NTANZI (IFP)
Mr K J DIKOBO (Azapo)
THE ABANDONMENT OF CHILDREN IN THE WESTERN CAPE
Member's Statement
Ms S P LEBENYA-NTANZI (IFP): Madam Deputy Speaker, the IFP notes that more than 500 babies were abandoned in Cape Town over a period of 12 months. Welfare organisations in Cape Town agree that the number of abandonment cases is on the increase. We are expressing great concern over this ever-increasing phenomenon.
We are therefore urging government to urgently implement programmes that will assist would-be mothers with child rearing skills and provide information to pregnant women who cannot afford to raise a child, with suitable alternatives as opposed to child abandonment. I thank you. [Applause.]
Dr G W KOORNHOF
Dr S P LEBENYA-NTANZI
PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO RUSSIA
(Member's Statement)
Dr G W KOORNHOF (ANC): Deputy Speaker, President Jacob Zuma has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his visit to Russia on Thursday 5 August 2010 which resulted in the signing of several agreements on energy, visa requirements and space. The visit also afforded both countries an opportunity to further consolidate and enhance relations at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
At a multilateral level, both countries shared a commitment to promoting a more equitable distribution of power and influence in the global political and economic systems. Both countries uphold diplomacy of international law and the centrality of the United Nations, UN.
President Zuma's three day visit to Russia was part of the ANC government's plan to work together with the countries in the South to continue to promote South-South relations and agitate for a fairer and more humane international trade and financial system and a just world order.
Part of this plan is to push new trade and investment routes to the fast growing emerging economies who are also members of Brazil, Russia, India and China, Bric. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr J R B LORIMER (DA)
Dr G W KOORNHOF (ANC)
SADTU DESTROYS THE LIFE CHANCES OF SOUTH AFRICA'S POOREST CHILDREN
(Member's Statement)
Mr J R B LORIMER (DA): Madam Deputy Speaker, the ANC allies the teacher's trade union and the SA Democratic Teachers Union, Sadtu, continue to destroy the life chances of South Africa's poorest children. Really, this has been better illustrated than the public servant strike, which is currently underway. Sadtu allied teachers in Soweto began staying away from school the week before the strike began and at many schools around the country are still not back at work. Even worse than staying away, Sadtu members interfere with the constitutional rights of other teachers to work and of pupils to get education.
Sadtu members in the Vaal, armed with sticks, yesterday attacked schools and assaulted working teachers. This is not the first time that Sadtu members have been guilty of thuggish behaviour. In East London, in May, Sadtu members assaulted teachers who arrived at a district office to fetch exam papers. In one school they tore the papers in front of the primary school pupils who were trying to write. They knew the exams would expose their failure to teach.
From the Eastern Cape to the Northern Cape to Bushbuckridge, Sadtu threatens to attack and kill school principals and their families if they try and make union members come to class on time. Yet nothing happens to these thugs.
This government may talk the talk, but when it comes to upsetting their political allies in Sadtu the ANC's need for election workers becomes more important than the future of South Africa's children.
As long as the ANC gives Sadtu a free pass to terrorise our children, parents, teachers and communities, this government's promise to fix education is doomed to failure. [Applause.]
Ms C M P KOTSI (Cope)
Mr J R B LORIMER (DA)
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DEPARTMENT OF MINERAL RESOURCES
(Member's Statement)
Ms C M P KOTSI (Cope): Madam Deputy Speaker, there are too many allegations made against the Department of Mineral Resources in respect of the allocation of mineral rights to Imperial Crown Trading and others. The fact that Imperial Crown Trading has no known capacity whatsoever to mine iron ore adds to the public's suspicion that this was a political deal with key people. What Cope has identified as a relationship with those in political office, including the highest office in the land, is that once the deal was done, Imperial Crown Trading, ICT, was in a hurry to cash the rights and bank the fortune. Thanks, to the ANC which turned a blind eye.
No wonder that workers who risk their lives and limb daily to bring the iron ore to the surface are so incensed, as of course is the rest of South Africa. ICT openly admits that this was money for jam.
It should be noted that family members of the President have registered nearly a hundred companies sins Polokwane. Clearly, this was a turning point for personal fortunes. Is this what the Department of Mineral Resources is set up for? If such information is classified in the near future, will we never know how the country is being looted even further. Clearly, this is the animal farm type of better a life for all and we can do more.
We demand a full enquiry into: firstly, why the Department of Mineral Resources awarded the rights to ICT in the first place; and secondly, why it took no measures to stop the rights being sold immediately after. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Mr L T LANDERS (ANC)
Ms C M P KOTSI (Cope)
COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING JUSTICE SYSTEM
(Member's Statement)
Mr L T LANDERS (ANC): Deputy Speaker, the ANC-led government has again proved its commitment to improving access to justice for all our people, by giving our country's regional courts the power to deal with civil cases. The new powers come as a result of the Jurisdiction of Regional Courts Amendment Act, which was announced by the hon President, Jacob Zuma, and came into effect on Women's Day.
The country's regional courts were established in 1952 to deal with serious criminal offences and to hand out harsher penalties. Cases that regional courts will now preside over include family disputes such as divorce, maintenance, adoption and matters relating to the custody of minor children. Disputes over movable and immovable property of between R100 000 and R300 000, which were previously dealt with by the high court, can now be heard in regional courts.
Regional courts will also have the power to deal with credit agreements between R100 000 and R300 000, as well as Road Accident Fund claims of between R100 000 and R300 000. The amendments in general increase access to justice for members of the public and in particular for women and children who go to courts daily for the resolution of family-related disputes.
The ANC-led government continues to find ways of improving access to justice for all our people. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr K S MUBU (DA)
Mr L T LANDERS (ANC)
CALL FOR PRESIDENT TO CONDEMN ZIMBABWE
(Member's Statement)
Mr K S MUBU (DA): Deputy Speaker, the DA calls on President Jacob Zuma to explain the ANC government's failure to publicly condemn the Mugabe administrations' flouting of a 2008 SADC Tribunal Ruling, which declared Zimbabwe's Land Reform Programme as unlawful.
Following yesterday's delivery of his report on Zimbabwe at the SADC Summit, the President refused to publicly address the considerable obstacles hindering the establishment of a democratic dispensation in that country. His muted stance on Zimbabwe's brazen contempt for the tribunal's ruling has further undermined the legitimacy of the highly respected SADC Tribunal and that of SADC itself.
The ANC government's evasive approach to the Zimbabwean political situation has seen it resorting to court action, to keep the contents of various reports regarding the Zimbabwean political situation out of the public domain. The report, compiled by Judges Dikgang Moseneke and Sisi Khampepe about the fairness of Zimbabwe's 2002 presidential election and the infamous general's report commissioned by former President Mbeki are two such examples.
President Zuma's smoke and mirrors policy regarding Zimbabwe has allowed President Mugabe's despotic tendencies to flourish and the rights of South African citizens in Zimbabwe to be repeatedly and systematically abused. This deserves a full explanation. I thank you. [Applause.]
Ms X C MAKASI (ANC)
Mr K S MUBU (DA)
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NORTHERN CAPE ON THEIR CAR PROJECT
(Member's Statement)
Ms X C MAKASI (ANC): Deputy Speaker, the ANC government congratulates the Northern Cape for being presented with an opportunity to host a Bloodhound Supersonic Car Project. The Bloodhound Supersonic Car Project is a pencil-shaped car powered by a Jet engine and a rocket that is designed to reach approximately 1000 or 1600 km/h.
It is being developed and built with the intention of breaking a land speed record by the largest ever margin. This project will position the Northern Cape in the world of extreme sports. It will attract and bring a lot of tourists, as well as creating a platform for businesses to grow, thus contributing to the Gross Domestic Product of the province. Moreover, for the people of the Northern Cape, this project will go beyond the breaking of the land speed record, but serve as a tool for aspiring young children about the purpose of careers like science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The utilisation of the Hakskeen Pan in the province is a fast track that will create an opportunity for tourism growth around the area. When the track is fully developed it can be used by other extreme sports as a fast track in the world, thus putting the province in the international arena. I thank you. [Applause.]
MINISTER'S RESPONSES
MEMBER'S STATEMENTS
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED BETWEEN DA AND ID
AVERTING THE PUBLIC SECTOR STRIKE
(Minister's Response)
The MINISTER OF LABOUR: Deputy Speaker, I'm here. Feel me. [Laughter.] The ID is dead. It has allowed itself to be conquered, annihilated, wiped out, buried and swallowed by the Democratic Alliance. What they are forgetting is that the natives of this land, the Khoi and the San, were conquered and their culture and language destroyed by the colonisers.
Afrikaans:
Ek wil net vra: Wat makeer Patricia de Lille? Hoekom vergeet sy so gou? Ons mense kom van die ANC, want die ANC se boodskap is duidelik. [I just want to know what is the matter with Patricia de Lille. Why does she forget so easily? Our people come from the ANC, because the ANC has a clear message.]
English :
It is only the ANC that will be able to assist the people of the Western Cape. In fact, we are very happy that the ID and the DA are now in one corner. [Interjections.] We don't need many other struggles.
Afrikaans:
Ja, sê maar dankie! Ek is baie bly! [Gelag.] [Applous.] [Yes, say thank you! I am very happy! [Laughter.] [Applause.]]
IsiXhosa :
Kucace gca ngokwekati emhlophe iphuma ehlungwuni ukuba UPatricia De Lille umqolo akanawo, ngumsonto onyikinyiki. [Uwelewele.] Abantu bebala udlale ngabo. Ngoku uyabaleka iinyawo zibeth'emqolo, uyokungena esiswini sentlanzi ngokukaYona. Ngelishwa, andinalo ithemba lokuba yena uyakuze atyekezwe yile ntlanzi njengoYona. Hamba kakuhle ke Patricia De Lille, uhambo lwakho lusothusile naxa singothukanga kangako. [Kwaqhwatywa.] Siyadloba ke kuba ngoku utshaba thina sizakulubona kakuhle.
English :
Lastly, I want to say, we condemn all actions that attempt to demonise the genuine struggles of our workers in the country. We call on all the parties to endeavour to find a settlement in any dispute that they may have. I know that the strike is not what the workers want. I know that the strike is not what the employers want. There is no other solution except to go back to the negotiation table. It is important that we make sure that in South Africa social dialogue succeeds. There is no other method. Back to the negotiation table to find a settlement, others will not resolve the dispute. Thank you. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS
The MINISTER OF LABOUR
INVESTIGATION BY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION UNIT
(Minister's Response)
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS: Deputy Speaker, my response to the statement by the Freedom Front Plus is that, since the release of the audit report of 2008-09, we had a press briefing last year at which the Department of Public Works briefed the media on the work that we were doing on reviewing our supply chain management processes, in particular the department'sentire lease portfolio.
More recently, and concurrent to the department's own work in this regard, the Special Investigation Unit is also conducting a broader investigation which is inclusive of the department's lease portfolio. Also, the Office of the Public Protector has served the Department of Public Works with a communiquérequesting specific information regarding the specific case for the purpose of its own separate investigation. Consequently, the implementation of the two leases in question is being held in abeyance in order to allow space for the processes of all these investigations to be proceeded with. Thank you.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE JUSTICE SYSTEM
(Minister's Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank the hon Luwellyn Landers for the statement that he made about access to justice, and the granting of civil jurisdiction to regional courts. That is a very important step which is going to bring justice closer to many South Africans. It complements the steps that have already been taken by the Department of Justice in the form of introducing the Superior Courts Bill which will bring the superior courts to many provinces that didn't have them before, like Mpumalanga and Limpopo; the building of the new courts and the upgrading of existing courts. Also, more importantly, the conversion of so-called branch courts into full services courts.
The expansion of small claims courts to all magisterial districts and the promotion of the use of indigenous languages in all our courts. All these things, together, are going to assist in bringing justice closer to the people of South Africa. Therefore, we thank you for your statement. Thank you.
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AVERTING THE Public seCTOR strike
(Minister's Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION: Deputy Speaker, I want to respond to the hon member who raised the issue of the public sector strike, urging the employer to go and find the money to avert the strike.
I want to take this opportunity to state the assurance that the Minister had announced in several press briefings that, on behalf of government, the Department of Public Service and Administration - the Minister and his team in particular - is making extremely strenuous efforts to meet the demands that have been placed by the public sector workers on the state to avert the strike and to find an acceptable solution to all the parties concerned.
As you all know, we are in the midst of trying to finalise the negotiations on the public sector dispute. At the moment, the Minister has announced that the offer that has been made to the trade unions, which is being considered now, is that government has placed an offer of 7% against their basic demand of 8,6%. A further 1,5% of what is defined as pay progression and a further 0,5%, which is attributable to the housing allowance that amounts to R700 00, making a total of 9% against the demands that the trade unions have made on the employer. Government has moved, in this particular offer, from its initial opening offer of 6% to now a total sum of 9%. The housing allowance will move from an opening offer of R600 00 to R700 00. This proposal is currently being considered at a meeting of the bargaining council today. So, we don't want to jeopardise the outcome of this particular matter by taking the debate in the House any further.
However, I really want to reiterate our commitment as government to finding a solution that is acceptable to all parties. In the context of the matters that underline the demands that have been placed before us by the trade unions concerned, government has given an assurance that we must put a scientific process in place that must be directed at reviewing the remuneration policy of public sector workers in the medium to long term.
I would like to give an assurance to this House that, within the resources that are available to the state, we are determined to find an appropriate solution that balances both the interest of the public sector as well as the interest of the people we are serving. We cannot allow ourselves to be compromised from meeting the obligations that we as a government have committed to in our programme of action.
The issue of finding an appropriate solution and ensuring that the strike is averted is very central to our commitment. We believe that the workers of this country have a democratic right to strike, but in so far as we support that and take heed of that right, we also would like to urge the workers concerned that the right must be exercised without any threat, intimidation or violence. Thank you.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION (Ms S C van der Merwe):
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION
celebration of SADC's 30th anniversary
PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO RUSSIA
CALL FOR PRESIDENT TO CONDEMN ZIMBABWE
(Minister's Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION (Ms S C van der Merwe): Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to respond to the two member's statements from ANC colleagues. The first one was regarding the 30th anniversary of SADC. Indeed, I think it is a great milestone and SADC has made enormous strides during that time, both in political integration and cohesion, as well as in the region of economic integration issues with which we are still seized. Hon members will remember that we signed a Free Trade Area, FTA, within SADC in 2008. That process is underway and we are busy consolidating and implementing that FTA towards even greater regional integration.
The second member statement raised was regarding the President's visit to Russia - and I think this is a very important point. Members in this House would be aware that the President had visited Brazil and India at the invitation of their presidents as well as Russia, and next week he will be visiting China. I think it is very important that those countries were very high on the list of our foreign Ministry, the Department of International Relations and Co-operation as well as the invitations from those respective Presidents. Because Brazil, Russia and China are the fastest growing developing economies in the world and South Africa is also considered to be an important angle in that.
So, as a country we are consolidating our relationship with these countries in order to further those very important rapidly growing economies in the emerging markets. I think it is a very significant step and we are very pleased that we have had a very positive response from all those other countries in our engagement with them.
I would like to ask the hon member, Mubu, where he gets his information because the SADC Summit only concluded 40 minutes ago. So, he must really be very well aware of what was decided there because that communiqué has not yet been published. I don't know where he gets this information. Maybe he is just seeing into the future. Thank you. [Applause.]
FIRST ORDER
MINISTERS' RESPONSES
Consideration of Report of Portfolio Committee on Water and environmental Affairs on Overview and Analysis of the Annual Reports of Water Boards 2008-09.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Madam Deputy Speaker, I move: That the Report be adopted.
There was no debate.
Motion agreed to.
Report on Overview and Analysis of the Annual Reports of Water Boards, 2008-09 accordingly adopted.
SECOND ORDER
FIRST ORDER
Consideration of Report of Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration on Oversight Visit to Thusong centres: Gauteng and Northern Cape Provinces
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Madam Deputy Speaker, I move: That the Report be adopted.
There was no debate.
Motion agreed to.
Report on Oversight Visit to Thusong centres: Gauteng and Northern Cape Provinces accordingly adopted.
The House adjourned at 14:53
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