Hansard: Members' Statements
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 02 Nov 2011
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 119
8 September 2011 Take: 377
THURSDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 2011
PROCESDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
__________________________
The House met at 14:05.
The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
NOTICES OF MOTION: Dr W G JAMES
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 119
8 September 2011 Take: 377
START OF DAY
NOTICES OF MOTION
Dr W G JAMES: Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That this House –
(1) debates the outcomes of the latest Human Development Index, which, among other things, gives South Africa a ranking of 123 out of 187 countries on the index; and
(2) comes up with the recommendations to improve our country's performance against various criteria, and, in so doing, to improve the general wellbeing of our citizens.
Ms J L FUBBS
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 119
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Dr W G JAMES
Ms J L FUBBS: Hon Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on the next sitting day of the House on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates the means to minimise the impact of the recession on our economy in order to meet our goal of job creation.
Mr A M MPONTSHANE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 119
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Ms J L FUBBS
Mr A M MPONTSHANE: Hon Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the IFP:
That the House debates the breakdown of basic discipline within our schooling system amongst both teachers and learners alike, and what should be done in order to stem the wanton criminal activity that is now so rampant in many of our schools.
Mr S C MOTAU
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 119
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr A M MPONTSHANE
Mr S C MOTAU: Hon Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That this House debates the shortage of liquid petroleum gas in the country, why it has occurred and measures to ensure that this situation does not recur.
Mr G LEKGETHO
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 119
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr S C MOTAU
Mr G LEKGETHO: 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 challenges facing our mental health system and how to strengthen it.
Dr J C KLOPPERS-LOURENS
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 119
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr G LEKGETHO
Dr J C KLOPPERS-LOURENS: 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 many challenges facing our higher education system, as a result of the merging of certain institutions, and solutions to these challenges.
Mrs R E NYALUNGU
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 119
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Dr J C KLOPPERS-LOURENS
Mrs R E NYALUNGU: Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on the next sitting day of the House on behalf of the ANC:
That the House debates the socioeconomic impact of gambling on our communities.
Mrs C DUDLEY
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 119
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mrs R E NYALUNGU
Mrs C DUDLEY: Hon 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 new drug master plan, particularly with reference to the incorporation of the term "harm reduction" and not "demand reduction", and the implications and consequences.
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 119
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mrs C DUDLEY
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on the next sitting day of the House on behalf of the IFP:
That the House debates the excessive salaries paid to certain heads of semi-government departments, running into millions, which is far more than what the President gets paid.
The SPEAKER: Noted. Does any other member wish to give notice of a motion? Hon members, the noise level is very high. Hon members on my right: please reduce the noise level.
MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 120
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE
NUCLEAR PHYSICIST INSPIRATION TO THE YOUTH
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
(1) notes that Ms Nonhlanhla Mokoena is one of the only female nuclear physicists working at Eskom's Koeberg nuclear power plant;
(2) further notes that Ms Mokoena beat the odds of a tough childhood by applying and receiving a bursary to study a BSc Industrial Science degree at the University of Zululand, thereafter participating in a postgraduate physicist programme;
(3) congratulates Ms Mokeona on being chosen to go to Lyon, France, to learn about research calculations and transfer results to a software programme; and
(4) believes that Ms Mokoena's quest for knowledge and her refusal to be a victim of her impoverished circumstances serves as a great source of inspiration to our youth.
Agreed to.
Mr S B FARROW
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 120
8 September 2011 Take: 377
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
SOUTH AFRICAN WINEMAKERS EXCEL AT INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRIT COMPETITION
(Draft Resolution)
Mr S B FARROW: Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
(1) notes that South African winemakers doubled their medal takings at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, from 367 medals last year to 641 in 2011;
(2) further notes that this includes 32 gold "Best in Class", 13 gold awards and four product trophies;
(3) acknowledges the prestigious nature and culture-rich heritage of the South African wine industry and its contribution towards strengthening our economy;
(4) congratulates all the South African entries into this competition; and
(5) further acknowledges all stakeholders, farmers and workers within the wine industry for their efforts and future success.
Agreed to.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 120
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr S B FARROW
SOUTH AFRICA TO HOST ITS BIGGEST GOLF TOURNAMENT
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
(1) notes that South Africa will host its biggest golfing tournament yet when the multimillion-dollar World Golf Championship is played in the country in 2012;
(2) further notes that South Africa was given this honour after much negotiation between the US PGA Tour, the International Federation of PGA Tours and Sunshine Tours in Augusta, Georgia;
(3) acknowledges that this major golfing championship will be known as the Tournament of Hope and will raise awareness of poverty in Africa and of the HIV and Aids pandemic; and
(4) welcomes the commitment given that South Africa will host this World Golf Championship event for a period of five years.
Agreed to.
Dr W G JAMES
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 120
8 September 2011 Take: 377
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
PROFESSOR SALIM ABDOOL KARIM'S GIVEN OUTSTANDING SENIOR AFRICAN SCIENTIST 2011 AWARD
(Draft Resolution)
Dr W G JAMES: Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
(1) notes that during the sixth European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership , EDCTP, forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 10 October to 12 October 2011, Prof Salim Abdool Karim received the Outstanding Senior African Scientist 2011 award for his research in the fields of HIV and TB-HIV prevention and treatment;
(2) also notes that Prof Karim serves as pro-vice chancellor research at the Universtiy of KwaZulu-Natal and as director of the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa, otherwise known as Caprisa;
(3) recalls that Prof Salim and his wife, Prof Quarraisha Abdool Karim, made international headlines last year when the positive results of the Caprisa 004 trial proved that Tenofovir antiretroviral gel considerable reduces the risk of sexually transmitted HIV infections for women;
(4) acknowledges a numerous prestigious awards awarded to Prof Karim, namely the SA Medical Association's Gold Medal Award Fellowship in Art and Science of Medicine 2011, the Drug Information Association's President's Award for outstanding achievements in world health, the Allan Rosenfield Alumni Award for 2011, and the Academy of Science in South Africa's Science for Society gold medal award;
(5) congratulates Prof Karim and his wife, Prof Quarraisha Abdool Karim, who are co-principal directors of the Caprisa 004 clinical trial team on winning the Department of Science and Technology's National Science and Technology Forum-BHP Billiton Award for research leading to innovation;
(6) further acknowledges the commitment and dedication of Prof Salim and Prof Quarraisha Karim in their endeavours and the positive impact these have had on medicine in general and on the lives of millions in particular; and
(7) commends Prof Salim and Prof Quarraisha Karim for their outstanding achievements.
Agreed to.
Mr S B FARROW /Nb/END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 121
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Dr W G JAMES
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR PREVENTING EXPLOITATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
(Draft Resolution)
Mr S B FARROW: Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
(1) notes that Sunday, 6 November, marks the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict;
(2) further notes that this day was instated by the United Nations in 2001 to raise global awareness of the effects of armed conflict on ecosystems and natural resources;
(3) acknowledges the efforts by the United Nations, its member states and all other role-players that strive to include the plight of the environment in measures to prevent conflict; and
(4) calls upon the nations of the world to do their part in furthering this cause.
Agreed to.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 121
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr S B FARROW
2011 CENSUS COVERS 98% OF ENUMERATION AREAS
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House-
(1) welcomes the news that 98,8% of enumeration areas were visited during the 21-day period of the 2011 Census;
(2) notes that there are some people who refused to participate in the census, those who have not yet been counted and those who have chosen self-enumeration;
(3) appeals to people who refused to be counted and those that have not been counted to co-operate and participate during the extended period because the census is compulsory; and
(4) congratulates Statistics South Africa on their commitment and hard work in the roll-out and co-ordination of Census 2011.
Agreed to.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 121
8 September 2011 Take: 377
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
SUSPENSION OF RULE 200(2)
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move the draft resolution, printed in my name on the Order Paper, as follows:
That Rule 200(2), which provides, inter alia, that a portfolio committee must have no fewer than 13 and no more than 40 members be suspended for the remainder of the Fourth Parliament for the purposes of reducing the membership of portfolio committees to 12 members.
Agreed to.
MEMBERS STATEMENTS - Ms B T NGCOBO / AZM MNGUNI/VM/END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 122
8 September 2011 Take: 377
DRAFT RESOLUTION: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
NEW TECHNOLOGY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS
(Member's Statement)
Ms B T NGCOBO (ANC): Hon Speaker, the GeneXpert machine was unveiled in March 2011 to roll out a first-line test to diagnose tuberculosis throughout the country. It is able to diagnose both TB and rifampicin-resistant MDR and XDR in about two hours. This happens while the patient waits so that the test, diagnosis and treatment can take place on the same day.
People who are tested using this technology can be diagnosed and be put on effective treatment months earlier than otherwise possible. The GeneXpert technology does not require highly trained personnel. Nurses can be trained to perform this function. Thus far, 54 people have been trained to perform this function.
Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal has been given this new Infinity-48 machine, which is capable of performing about 200 tests in an eight-hour shift. This is the only such machine in Africa and South Africa; the other machines are in the United States. KwaZulu-Natal has a high prevalence of tuberculosis, hence the province was provided with this technology.
G16s have been placed in each of the provinces in the country, and G4s have been placed at various sites across the country. Furthering the fight against TB, the eThekwini infectious disease control centre in Durban has managed to use digital X-rays so that all the X-rays are digitally stored on computer and cannot be lost at any time. I thank you. [Applause.]
The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 122
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Ms B T NGCOBO
NEDLAC AND THE YOUTH WAGE SUBSIDY
(Member's Statement)
The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA): Mr Speaker, in a reply to my question in Parliament yesterday, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said he was quite positive that a positive outcome would emerge in discussion with the National Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac, on the youth wage subsidy.
This is not enough. The Deputy President must intervene to ensure that government's stated policy is implemented in line with the President's and Finance's Minister's commitments.
The policy was formally announced by the President in the 2010 state of the nation address, but loud opposition from Cosatu on spurious grounds led to it being placed on the back burner. The Treasury discussion document on the policy promised by the Finance Minister in his Budget Speech was also delayed by 10 months. Now it seems that Cosatu is set to use its veto power at Nedlac to block the policy despite broad support from across the ideological spectrum, including from South Africa's second biggest trade union federation, Fedusa.
As the Leader of Government Business, Deputy President Motlanthe must instruct officials from the Department of Labour and the National Treasury ...
The SPEAKER: Hold on, hon member. Chief Whip, what point are you rising on?
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker, on the claimed inadequacy of the reply of the Deputy President.
The SPEAKER: Hon member, please take your seat. Continue, hon member.
The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. As the Leader of Government Business, Deputy President Motlanthe must instruct the officials from the Department of Labour and the National Treasury, who represent the government on the youth wage subsidy task team at Nedlac, to ensure that the implementation of the youth wage subsidy is not further delayed by the ideological opposition of Cosatu. Cosatu has opposed the subsidy based on their belief that it will "enrich capitalists and further segment the working class".
This is absurd. The figures speak for themselves. Had the youth wage subsidy been implemented on 1 April ...
The SPEAKER: Hon member, your time has expired.
The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: ... it would have already created 225 000 jobs. [Interjections.]
The SPEAKER: Order, hon members!
The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA): The needs of Cosatu's members cannot be placed above those of our 3,2 million unemployed young people. I thank you. [Time expired.] [Interjections.]
The SPEAKER: Hon members, order!
Mr L RAMATLAKANE (Cope)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 122
8 September 2011 Take: 377
The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA)
COMBATING CRIME
(Member's Statement)
Mr L RAMATLAKANE (Cope): Speaker, over time organised crime in South Africa has become more sophisticated, so much so that government institutions and individuals are participating in these misdemeanours.
The Prevention of Organised Crime Act was enacted in South Africa to combat this crime. The state and executive are therefore compelled to implement and enforce this with vigour. Cope is appalled by the fact that the current premier and the former MEC of Sport, Ace Magashule, has skilfully helped himself to state funds before our very eyes.
With the building of the multipurpose centre in 2008 in Free State, Ace and his colleague set up a company through which they allegedly launder money meant for the multipurpose centre. The company, Phenomenal Architects, was established by Ace's associate to warehouse and pay the money secretly. This company was appointed, again, by the Ngwathe Municipality as a principal agent for various projects in the district. This company is not even registered with the SA Chamber of Business, Sacob.
Cope wants urgent attention to be paid to this in order to nip this looting of state resources in the bud. We are horrified that Ace and his friends are allegedly allowed to squander money while the citizens ...
The SPEAKER: Is that a point of order?
Mr A M MAZIYA: Yes, hon Speaker. The information the member is presenting to the House is information relevant to the police not to the House. [Laughter.]
The SPEAKER: Hon member, please take your seat.
Mrs J D KILIAN: Chairperson, I just want to request ...
The SPEAKER: Hon member, please take your seat. I have not recognised you.
Mrs J D KILIAN: On a point of order ...
The SPEAKER: Okay. What's your point of order?
Mrs J D KILLIAN: The point of order is that this has now become a strategy of the ANC to disrupt our members during members' statements. We want injury time, please. Thank you. [Applause.] [Interjections.]
The SPEAKER: Continue, hon member – and finish.
Mr L RAMATLAKANE (Cope): Speaker, for your information it has been reported. I want to say that we are horrified that Ace and his friends have allegedly been allowed to squander while the citizens of this country suffer as a result of poor service delivery. Thank you.
Mr M M DIKGACWI (ANC) /Mn/src (ch)/ END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 123
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr L RAMATLAKANE (Cope)
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TWO BOXING WORLD CHAMPIONS
(Member's Statement)
Mr M M DIKGACWI (ANC): Speaker, the ANC would like to congratulate Moruti "Baby Face" Mthalane on his third International Boxing Federation, IBF, World Title defence on Friday night against Andrea Sarritzu with a seventh-round technical knockout. We would also like to congratulate Takalani "The Panther" Ndlovu on his first IBF World Title defence on Sunday morning in Mexico against Giovanni Caro.
This is a tremendous distinction that I am certain they will carry with pride and honour. This is a good sign that South African boxers are determined enough, that their credibility continues to improve and that they have been extensively tested internationally.
We salute these boys for raising the flag of South Africa so high. We are consequently grateful to the IBF for affording these two boxers these opportunities. It is something we had hoped would have been granted to Mzonke "Rose of Khayelitsha" Fana, by the IBF. I would also like to add my congratulations to Branco Sports on their efforts in helping our two sportsmen across the globe. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE (IFP)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 123
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr M M DIKGACWI (ANC)
FULL AND MEANINGFUL RECONCILIATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
(Member's Statement)
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE (IFP): Mr Speaker, I have been deeply troubled for some time by what I believe is a lack of full and meaningful reconciliation between the peoples of South Africa. Last week, I was fortunate to meet with the Reverend Jesse Jackson in Johannesburg, where he gave a prophetic message which I want to share with you today.
In respect of the struggle and reconciliation, the senator had a very clear message which spoke deeply to me. He suggested as a solution, and I quote, "forgive, redeem and move on." This was a deeply moving and wise message.
Senator Jackson also added: "In some point of time we must allow God's hand to cover all of us." I wish to appeal to all the people of this wonderful country to follow the advice of this wonderful man who is one of the world's most famous struggle heroes. Indeed, let us heed his call. Let us forgive, redeem and move on, and let us allow God's hand to cover us all. Thank you.
Adv A de W ALBERTS (VF Plus)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 123
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE (IFP)
TRANSNET OLD AGE PENSIONS
(Member's Statement)
Afrikaans:
Adv A de W ALBERTS (VF Plus): Die VF Plus beskou die gesloer om die Transnet pensioenfondse aan te vul, as skandalig. Die aanstelling van 'n subkomitee om die bevondsing opnuut te ondersoek, nadat die Parlement 'n opdrag aan Transnet en die Tesourie gegee het, spreek van die minagting waarmee Suid-Afrika se pensioenarisse en bejaardes deur die regering behandel word.
Stakende staatsdienswerkers word tegemoet gekom juis omdat hulle druk op die regering plaas deur massa openbare protes. Bejaardes, aan die ander kant, veral die Transnet pensioenarisse, kan vanweë hul ouderdom nie openbare massa-aksie toepas nie en word gevolglik laag op Transnet en die regering se prioriteitslys geplaas.
English:
Let me state unequivocally that the true test of a humane government is not how it moves when it is placed under pressure by forces that can exert influence, like unions, but how it treats those who are weak and defenceless, like children and the elderly. This Parliament has shown that it cares for the elderly by having made a decision to assist the Transnet pensioners, but I cannot truly say the same for the executive and its parastatal, Transnet.
It is now more that a year since the parliamentary decision was made and the instruction given to Transnet and the Treasury to fund the increases and bonuses to be paid for the benefit of the pensioners.
Against this background we must hear that the state loses R30 billion as a result of endemic corruption, that Transnet had made a profit of more that R5 billion, that Ministers spend huge sums on travel and accommodation, and so I can continue, yet the Transnet pensioners will face another bleak Christmas. Why is this? Because these pensioners are not a priority.
Therefore the FF Plus will continue to make this matter a priority with appropriate action until government listens, for this government does not seem to be a compassionate one. It only moves when forced, and that is then what we will do, unless you, the trustees, do move compassionately before Christmas.
Ms D G NHLENGETHWA (ANC)/ TH//nvs / END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 124
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Adv A de W ALBERTS (VF Plus)
FAREWELL TO CHAIRPERSON OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS
(Member's Statement)
Ms D G NHLENGETHWA (ANC): Speaker, the Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs would like to bid farewell to the hon Lechesa Tsenoli, as he will be taking on his new deployment as Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform.
The committee wishes to thank the Deputy Minister for the good leadership and guidance he provided whilst presiding over the committee with humility and dignity. You have made a huge contribution in doing oversight in the department and its entities, as well as provinces and municipalities.
The committee will miss you as a chairperson who was health conscious. The coaching you provided and fitness exercises, the courses you organised for us to understand our inner abilities and strengths as human beings and the effort you put into the committee will always be greatly appreciated. You always encouraged each and every member of the committee across party lines to read and be prepared before a meeting so as to enable us to make meaningful contributions. We will miss your intelligence, and the intellectual and psychological skills you possess. You had an ability to reach each and every member's character. You were able to understand when one was happy, hungry or tired, and you always provided a shoulder to cry on when one was grieving.
Deputy Minister, we wish you to continue with your honesty, selflessness, love and care. You were always laughing when you were supposed to be angry. Hell, Deputy Minister, we are already missing you. [Laughter.] We wish you all the best in your new deployment. The committee supports the changes that have been announced by the President. Thank you, Minister Nathi Mthethwa, and welcome Minister Richard Baloyi into the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs family. [Time expired.] [Laughter.]
Mr L M MPHAHLELE (PAC)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 124
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Ms D G NHLENGETHWA (ANC)
DISCONTENT WITH KILLING OF COLONEL MUAMMAR GADDAFI
(Member's Statement)
Mr L M MPHAHLELE (PAC): Hon Speaker, the recent death of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi opened a chapter of looting of Libyan oil and natural gas by Western powers. The question remains: Who killed Gaddafi? Some say he was killed by the superior Nato Air Force. If the truth be told, Muammar Gaddafi was killed by African collective weakness and uselessness.
The invasion of Libya by American, British and French blood-thirsty and oil-thirsty imperialists has nothing to do with democracy, but everything to do with self-interests. Saudi Arabia is ruled by a corrupt monarch; Yemen is ruled by a discredited dictator; there is no multiparty democracy in the People's Republic of China. The West, even its wildest fantasies, never thinks of importing and imposing Washington-brewed democracy on Beijing. They know China has teeth and can bite.
In Africa, they change regimes with the frequency that they change their dirty underwear. It is because they know that Africa is toothless and, of late, Africa cannot even bark: it whimpers like a starved puppy; sham remote-controlled African republics, sham US puppets masquerading as people's leaders; sham, hollow liberation. Even before Africa gets unified politically and economically, the continent must immediately create an African defence treaty in terms of which an injury to one African country will be an injury to all.
This world is ruled ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Mr J SELFE (DA)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 124
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr L M MPHAHLELE (PAC)
PAROLE APPLICATION OF MR NURSHAD DAVIDS TO BE DENIED
(Member's Statement)
Mr J SELFE (DA): Mr Speaker, Mr Nurshad Davids was convicted in 2006 for his part in the murders of Brett Goldin and Richard Bloom and was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment. He has now applied for parole after serving a mere five years and five months of the sentence and will appear before the Drakenstein Parole Board on 16 November.
The DA accepts that parole boards are independent bodies, which make their decisions on the seriousness of the offence and the degree to which offenders have been rehabilitated. But we want to express our outrage that this application for parole was even lodged. The brutal execution-style murders of Goldin and Bloom devastated not only their family and friends, but also shocked the international theatre community and grievously damaged South Africa's reputation. Quite frankly, the sentence handed down on Mr Davids was inappropriately lenient, given the nature of the crime for which he was convicted.
Under the circumstances, it is equally shocking that this offender has applied for parole. We hope that Parliament will unite in recommending that the parole board reject Mr Davids' application for parole until he has served a longer term of imprisonment. Granting parole to this offender at this stage would send an entirely inappropriate message. It would signify that we do not regard cold-blooded murder as an offence for which a long period of imprisonment is the only fitting punishment.
South Africans need to feel safe in their homes and on the streets. They need to know that criminals will be caught and punished. For all these reasons, parole should be refused in this case. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr B A RADEBE (ANC) /Mohau//Mia / END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 125
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr J SELFE (DA)
GAUTENG INITIATIVE AIMED AT CREATING JOBS
(Member's Statement)
Mr B A RADEBE (ANC): Hon Speaker, in line with the ANC's commitment to creating five million jobs by 2020, an initiative to create jobs launched by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development on 21 October 2011 is greatly welcomed. The programme is called Y-Age and aims to train 100 000 young businesspeople between the ages of 18 and 34 years. Consideration will also be given to those between the ages of 35 and 40 years who have tertiary qualifications.
Approximately R90 million has been set aside to fund this programme over the next three years, with the support of finance institutions and private-sector partners. The aim is to train people in various business skills. An approved business plan will receive funding of between R500 000 and R1 million. There will be more than 90 training centres, and more than 30 sectors have been identified, including the agricultural, information and communications technology, and franchising sectors.
The drive to register the potential entrepreneurs will take place at Gauteng Propeller outlets and malls, or on an online website and mobisite. Each entrepreneur will be empowered to create at least 10 jobs. It is envisaged that this programme will create a million jobs over three years. Thank you, Speaker. [Applause.]
Mr N SINGH (IFP)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 125
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr B A RADEBE (ANC)
RECENT EUROZONE CRISIS
(Member's Statement)
Mr N SINGH (IFP): Mr Speaker, the most recent crisis in the eurozone, particularly in Greece, could have far-reaching ramifications, including the total collapse of the Euro and a very possible resultant worldwide recession.
Britain has already acknowledged as much when its Prime Minister recently said that there was a distinct possibility of another "global economic storm" brewing if recent eurozone events are not contained. He went on to say "... it is in our interest to help others confront that global storm."
Our own Minister of Finance expressed similar sentiments when he stated that, "The impact of the eurozone crisis on the world economy is severe and an increasingly dominant concern for policy-makers" and that a global response is required.
The Reserve Bank Governor, Gill Marcus, took a more conservative approach stating that South Africa could play a role in assisting the eurozone out of its crisis. Either way, South Africa must ensure a high state of readiness in respect of countering and containing a second possible and eminent global recession.
It is common cause that we are fast becoming an interdependent one-world economy. We should, therefore, all be contributing to the stability of the system, more especially in regard to ensuring the resilience of our own domestic economy. I thank you.
Mr D A KGANARE (Cope)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 125
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr N SINGH (IFP)
GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION ACTIVITIES
(Member's Statement)
Mr D A KGANARE (Cope): Hon Speaker, last week the country watched with anticipation the so-called economic freedom march. Cope is happy that the march was peaceful and acknowledges that the issues raised by the marchers are legitimate and need to be addressed as a challenge to the country.
The only problem is that some of the organisers of the march are disingenuous and dishonest. Some of the issues that lead to a lack of service delivery can be directly linked to their tenderpreneurship activities. They are awarded tenders irregularly, they deliver shabby construction work, and government is then forced to appoint other service providers to fix the mess made by these peacetime freedom fighters. This doubles the cost of service and projects.
Cope is not surprised by these corrupt activities, since this is merely the implementation of one of the Polokwane resolutions written with invisible ink. [Interjections.] For those members who have forgotten, the resolution is called "institutionalising corruption".
Since the Zuma administration took over governance, institutionalised corruption has become the norm. This is not mere politicking. [Interjections.] Evidence of corruption in all spheres of government has been well documented by different institutions in the country.
It is a well-known fact that in the Free State, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, corruption is the number one Batho Pele principle. In these provinces, the more corrupt you are, the higher you rise in both the ruling party and administration.
In the Northern Cape, the pioneers of corruption are proving to be incorrigible. Despite some arrests, they continue with their corrupt activities as if they are competing for an award with their neighbouring province, the Free State.
Cope calls upon the President and the ANC to put their money where their mouth is ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Mrs G K TSEKE (ANC) / Mpho/UNH (Checked)/ END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 126
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr D A KGANARE (Cope)
DRUNK DRIVER KILLS FIVE JOGGERS
(Member's Statement)
Mrs G K TSEKE (ANC): Speaker, the ANC welcomes the charges for drunken driving brought against the motorist who crashed into six athletes in Midrand a few days ago, killing five and injuring one of them. The driver rammed into the runners whilst they were preparing for the next Soweto Marathon. If he is convicted, the driver will face a minimum sentence of 15 years for each count, provided he is a first-time offender.
We support Minister Ndebele's call that road users who disobey the rules of the road should face the consequences of their actions. The carnage on our roads must come to an end. Families and communities are bearing the brunt of drivers who intentionally violate road traffic rules and drive in a reckless manner, resulting in the deaths of loved ones.
At least 20 000 drunk drivers have been arrested across the country over the past 11 months. During this Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 to 2020, traffic law enforcement must be intensified without compromise, and zero tolerance shown to those who are reckless on the road.
We would like to convey our condolences to the families and friends, and to their colleagues at Midrand Striders and Goldfields Athletics Club. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time of sorrow.
Sesotho:
Ke a leboha, Modulasetulo. [Mahofi.]
Dr W G JAMES (DA)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 126
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mrs G K TSEKE (ANC)
NEW SCIENCE CURRICULUM STATEMENTS
(Member's Statement)
Dr W G JAMES (DA): Mr Speaker, the Department of Basic Education seeks to gazette new science curriculum statements for Grades 4 to 6 and Grades 7 to 9 that, for some odd reason, make no reference at all to concepts fundamental to biochemistry and environmental science, such as evaporation, condensation, the water cycle, expansion and contraction. These concepts are absent from the curriculum and have also not been set down for teachers to teacher either.
I am not the first person to identify this quite fundamental problem. I know of at least five approaches led by the Publishers' Association of SA, academic bodies, provincial education officials, science teachers and private individuals that acted at the Department of Basic Education.
These well-intentioned approaches have had no effect. Departmental officials are simply not interested. Many have joined the conference and seminar circuit, instead of focusing on supporting the teachers, who will, if they are not intellectually vigilant, give miseducation to our learners.
The fact is that it is the absence of such fundamental concepts from the curriculum that makes a mockery of our much-needed efforts to turn around mathematics and science teaching. Minister Angie Motshekga must explain why such shoddy work is allowed to pass. She must explain why her department officials play games, through sheer neglect, with the intellectual development of this nation's learners. [Applause.]
Mrs F F MUSHWANA (ANC)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 126
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Dr W G JAMES (DA)
UPGRADING OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN LIMPOPO
(Member's Statement)
Mrs F F MUSHWANA (ANC): Speaker, in line with the government's programme of action and outcome 6, which speaks specifically of an efficient, competitive and responsive infrastructure network, the ANC welcomes the R318 million from the national bulk infrastructure fund recently handed over to the Lephalale community in Limpopo. In addition, the R424 million from the Expanded Public Works Programme budget will be used to upgrade 27 road projects.
Xitsonga:
Ku antswisa nongonoko lowu swi yisa emahlweni ku antswisa nongonoko wa swa mapatu.
English:
Opening up space for economic growth in the province will also ensure growth in investment. I thank you. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 127
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mrs F F MUSHWANA (ANC)
NEDLAC AND THE YOUTH WAGE SUBSIDY
GAUTENG INITIATIVE AIMED AT CREATING JOBS
RECENT EUROZONE CRISIS
(Minister's Response)
The MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY: Speaker, I want to start by responding to the hon Leader of the Opposition: Congratulations on your appointment. But I am afraid that your points about the alleged inadequacy of the reply by the Deputy President were way off the mark.
What the Deputy President understood, which you appear not to understand, is that matters of labour law have, as a matter of law, to be referred for discussion in Nedlac. I think that the question of the youth subsidy and the impact on labour law therefore is correctly referred to Nedlac. Actually, I would say that the accord which we signed on localisation earlier this week and the other accords which are emerging on things like the green economy and enterprise development show the wisdom of working with social partners, rather than trying to ram something down the throats – fight resistance - of social partners. The Deputy President was expressing his confidence in that process to deliver a result, and I think that is correct.
I also want to respond to the point made by the hon Radebe about the programme in Gauteng, and say to him that I think that that is actually indicating a way to go. If I can just extract from that: there is a focus on youth; there is a focus on skills development; and there is a focus on promoting access to technology and on encouraging employment by new enterprises. That is exactly the way to go. It is that kind of understanding that has also led the Department of Trade and Industry to indicate that we will be expanding our programmes to roll out incubation programmes so that we can create entrepreneurs whose skills are really rooted in the activities that the entrepreneurs are intended to be part of.
Finally, let me just say to the hon Singh that I think all his observations about the world economy are spot on and so is the observation that in such an environment we have to redouble our efforts to make sure that our own economy is resilient to withstand this environment. It is precisely for that reason that in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement the Minister of Finance announced additional measures to support competitiveness in manufacturing. We have seen a need for manufacturers to continue to raise competitiveness, to continue to invest despite the climate. We think that that is absolutely imperative. That is the way to go. If we can weather this storm, Africa and South Africa have a bright future, but we have to get over through storm, and that is why we are working to try to enhance our programmes. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Mrs J D KILIAN: Speaker, just on a point of order: I see that the Minister has had a very long period to respond. I just want to remind you of the Rules again. [Interjections.]
The SPEAKER: Hon member, I am the timekeeper.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 127
8 September 2011 Take: 377
The MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
DRUNK DRIVER KILLS FIVE JOGGERS
UPGRADING OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN LIMPOPO
(Minister's Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT: Hon Speaker, first of all I would like to thank the hon Tseke for raising the issue of the culpable homicide charges that have been levelled against the driver who is alleged to have been seriously drunk, who killed five joggers and seriously injured a sixth person. It is absolutely correct and, certainly, from the Department of Transport side, we strongly welcome signs from the judiciary that they are beginning to treat these kinds of accidents seriously and not just as accidents, but actually as criminal incidents that need to be treated with that level of seriousness. As the hon Tseke said, in the course of this year some 20 000 drunk drivers have been arrested on our roads – this is in the past 11 months. I think that we need to send a very strong message as this Parliament that we intend to be very, very firm on drunken driving and other acts of irresponsibility on our roads.
I would also like to welcome the statement made by the hon Mushwana about the upgrading infrastructure initiatives in Limpopo and specifically around Lephalale. I think this is a wonderful example of how we are trying to approach infrastructure development. Rather than do infrastructure - which sometimes has been the case in past - in patches and bits and pieces, what we are trying to do is ensure that there is major bulk infrastructure spending, that at the same time we use the Expanded Public Works Programme. Some R424 million is allocated to that to do road maintenance projects, to do pothole repairs and patching projects; and, at the same time, to also allocate a significant amount towards improving the province's freight database, so that we have a comprehensive approach to infrastructure development. One really welcomes the statement by the hon Mushwana in this respect. [Applause.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (Mrs T V Tobias-Pokolo)
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 127
8 September 2011 Take: 377
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION ACTIVITIES
(Minister's Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (Mrs T V Tobias-Pokolo): Hon Speaker, we need to applaud the ANC Youth League for conducting a peaceful march. Their discipline was exemplary and should continue in the organisation. [Interjections.] We also congratulate our organisation, the ANC, on having established a relevant youth organisation that represents the interests of the poorest of the poor, unlike Cope, which lost its youth league leader to the ANC. [Interjections.] Now they are about to be swallowed by the DA.
We also call on all organisations to cease to seek cheap public attention by making blatant statements about corruption, and rather to forward evidence to the police to secure convictions. As the ANC-led government, we have been the first to introduce anticorruption legislation in the history of this country. Perhaps the statement made by hon Kganare also explains his allergic reaction to leaving the ANC, as he despises the new members who joined our organisation after the unbanning of the ANC. The ANC is a democratic organisation which has open membership to all. [Interjections.] Therefore, those peacetime freedom fighters are allowed to join the ANC. I thank you. [Applause.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 127
8 September 2011 Take: 377
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (Mrs T V Tobias-Pokolo)
FAREWELL TO CHAIRPERSON OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS
(Minister's Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS: Speaker, in response, very briefly, to the hon Mme Nhlengethwa, as the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs we would like to say that we too are very grateful to the previous chair of the portfolio committee and for the role he played. We are not altogether sure what the hon member meant and the innuendo some of her words carried, but we are the executive, so who are we to have oversight over the parliamentary committee, if that is the way they relate to their chairperson. Thank you very much. [Laughter.]
Mr M B GOQWANA /Mia / END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 128
8 September 2011 Take: 377
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
(Introduction)
The SPEAKER: The hon B Goqwana, the chairperson of the portfolio committee will introduce the report.
Mr M B GOQWANA: Speaker and hon members, I present the Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Health. There's not much I can add to it. Everything – our recommendations and review – is in the report.
We have not tampered much with the budget through shifting funds from one programme to another, mainly because health services are delivered by the provinces and not by the national Department of Health. So, for that reason we didn't tamper much with the budget.
So, Speaker, I present to you the Budget Review and Recommendation Report on Health. Thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
The Chief Whip of the Majority Party moved: That the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
SECOND ORDER: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 128
8 September 2011 Take: 377
FIRST ORDER: Mr M B GOQWANA
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON LABOUR ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY moved: That the Report be adopted as it appears in the ATC.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
THIRD ORDER: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 128
8 September 2011 Take: 377
SECOND ORDER: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY moved: That the Report be adopted as it appears in the ATC.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
FOURTH ORDER: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 128
8 September 2011 Take: 377
THIRD ORDER: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SPORT AND RECREATION ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF SPORT AND RECREATION FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
The SPEAKER: Order! I now recognise the chairperson of the portfolio committee, the hon M M Dikgacwi, to introduce the report. The chairperson of the portfolio committee has disappeared. I now recognise the hon Chief Whip of the Majority Party.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY moved: That the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
FIFTH ORDER: Ms N R BHENGU / MS//nvs/END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 129
8 September 2011 Take: 377
FOURTH ORDER: The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
Consideration of budgetary review and recommendation report of portfolio committee on transport on performance of department of transport for 2010-11 financial year
The SPEAKER: Order! I now wish to invite the hon N R Bhengu, the chairperson of the portfolio committee, to introduce the report.
Ms N R BHENGU: Chairperson, the Portfolio Committee on Transport noted that the Department of Transport received a clean audit, and that the strategic approach of the department is in line with the transformation agenda of the country. We noted that the strategic approach of the SA Maritime Safety Authority, in terms of the maritime aspect, focuses on the repositioning of the maritime industry.
The strategic goals are the development of the South African maritime industry, the establishment of South Africa's maritime transport capacity, the upgrading of maritime transport capacity and performance, the improvement of commercial shipping services, the improvement of maritime governance and enforcement capacity, as well as improvement of maritime research innovation and technology.
The committee also noted that South Africa was not currently participating in the maritime industry and is therefore losing out on job-creation opportunities. The committee therefore recommended that the Minister and the government support the strategic approach presented by Samsa and invest accordingly. The investment should also assist with the reopening of redundant shipyards. I thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move that the report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
SIXTH ORDER: Mrs Y R BOTHA
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 129
8 September 2011 Take: 377
FIFTH ORDER: Ms N R BHENGU
Consideration of budgetary review and recommendation report of portfolio committee on social development on performance of department of social developmenT for 2010-11 financial year
The SPEAKER: Order! I now recognise the hon Botha, chairperson of the portfolio committee, who will introduce the report.
Mrs Y R BOTHA: Hon Speaker, the portfolio committee was happy with the performance of the Department of Social Development, especially with the fact that the SA Social Security Agency, Sassa, received an unqualified report, although there were a few concerns that the committee raised.
In terms of the recommendations and the issue of dual accountability between the Department of Social Development and especially that of the SA Social Security Agency, we felt that that should be addressed. That would clarify the problem of accountability of the flow of funds between Sassa and the Department of Social Development.
We also felt that it was prudent that the audit committees of Sassa and Social Development meet on a regular basis to look at enhancing financial management, and also with regard to the monitoring function that Social Development has over Sassa.
The other concern that the committee raised, which we felt should be recommended to Parliament - was that although the consultants Sassa employed to tighten financial management controls within Sassa obviously had a good result in getting an unqualified audit – there should be a skills transfer in terms of financial management from the consultants to the officials that are going to do the functions once the consultants have left. That will ensure that in terms of the money that has been paid that Sassa will get value for money.
In terms of the work that the Special Investigating Unit is doing, we feel the R3 million that is being paid by Sassa to the SIU on a monthly basis is too high, and that a financial inspectorate should be established within Sassa to take over that function. This is so that that function happens in-house and not contracted out. The establishment of a financial inspectorate is actually accommodated in the Social Assistance Act of 2004. Thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Ms K R MAGAU: Chairperson, on behalf of the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, I move that the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
SEVENTH ORDER: Mr V G SMITH
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 129
8 September 2011 Take: 377
SIXTH ORDER: Mrs Y R BOTHA
Consideration of budgetary review and recommendation report of portfolio committee on Correctional services on performance of department of correctional services in 2010-11, and first half of current financial year
Mr V G SMITH: Chairperson, the committee would like to acknowledge the fact that the Auditor-General's report indicated four reasons for qualifications in the financial year 2008-09. This reduced in 2009-10 to three reasons for qualifications, and in the financial year 2010-11 there is only one reason for qualification. This is a clear sign that there is consistent improvement within the department.
Notwithstanding that, there are seven areas of concern that we would like to identify, the first being that the budget allocation of the department remains misaligned to the White Paper objectives. As the committee we urge the department to better balance its focus on rehabilitation and reintegration with that of security. The second area is the excessive use of consultants within the department. The portfolio committee thinks that the cost of hiring consultants is not sustainable.
Furthermore, the department needs to urgently embark on a strategy to ensure that IT skills are transferred from consultants to employees, and that the department devise a strategy of retaining the skills that have been transferred from the department.
The third area is that the committee is concerned about the vacancy rate especially in IT and in finance. The finance department has a vacancy rate of 54%, and in IT it's close to 100%. This is in direct contradiction of the President's call to urgently fill all vacancies within government departments.
The slow pace of filling funded posts results either in unspent funds at the end of the financial year, or a common practice of rerouting these funds to projects that were not approved in the original budget. Filling the funded posts needs to be speeded up and vacancy targets need to be met.
Over the past four years the Department of Correctional Services has had no less than four national commissioners. This, together with constant change in top leadership within the department, has resulted in leadership instability which has a negative impact on continuity and institutional memory. Stability in the upper echelons of the department's management must be ensured.
Correctional services is a security cluster department. The committee is concerned that the department employs in excess of 40 000 employees, and of these less than 4 000 have been vetted. This is an undesirable situation. The committee urges the departments relevant to vetting to ensure that this situation is rectified urgently.
Finally, the department has experienced serious misconduct or ill-discipline by officials at all levels: sexual harassment, sleeping on duty, being on duty under the influence of illegal drugs, corruption and fraud. These are some of the examples of misconduct within this department. Very few officials, even though found guilty, have been dismissed, with many only receiving written warnings. The committee urges the department to ensure that the sanction is appropriate to the nature of the misconduct.
Having said this we present the report to this august House for adoption. Siyabonga. [Thank you]. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Ms K R MAGAU: Chair, I rise again on behalf of the Chief Whip of the Majority Party. We would like to welcome the comments and the introductory remarks on the report by the chairperson of the portfolio committee, and we want to believe that they will make the necessary follow-ups. Having said that, I move that the Report be adopted. Thank you. [Applause.]
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
EIGHTH ORDER: Mrs D M RAMODIBE ///tfm/// END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 130
8 September 2011 Take: 377
SEVENTH ORDER: Mr V G SMITH
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM FOR 2011-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mr D M GUMEDE: Hon Chairperson, firstly, let me state that as the committee we are satisfied with the performance of the department. Having said that, though, there are a few areas of concern we would like to highlight. Firstly, on the issue of leadership, the committee notes with concern that there is a lack of monitoring and controls to ensure that contractual requirements are adhered to.
Secondly, the committee notes the existing concerns about the nature, extent and frequency of management's assessments of controls in place relating to the Expanded Public Works Programme to prevent and detect fraudulent activities.
Thirdly, the committee notes and is in support of the forensic investigations initiated by the accounting officer. Fourthly, the committee is of the view that the budget of the Department of Tourism should be increased: one, because it has been made autonomous; two, the industry is performing well and in so doing has attracted people even from countries like China and India, and from Africa. These are new markets and, as a result, there is a need to promote tourism in more areas than before.
There is also the fact that in the state of the nation address the President said that one of the major job drivers should be tourism. The other area will be the use of graded establishments by government departments. Some government departments are not using graded establishments, and we are concerned about this because this does not assist in reinforcing the use of graded establishments.
There should be an improvement in the area of intergovernmental relations. Also, the maintenance and development of public tourist attractions should be prioritised particularly those that are managed at local and district levels. It seems that we do not provide funds for the maintenance of these attractions.
There are other areas, but owing to limited time let me mention just two of them. We are concerned about the lack of transformation in the industry, but, having said that, there are objective conditions that prevent progress in this area. We would prefer to see a situation in which there is a medium- to long-term programme to address this. The committee supports the budget and is in support of the BRR performance.
There was no debate.
Ms K R MAGAU: Chair, I move that the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism with all its comments from the chair be accepted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
NINTH ORDER: Mrs D M RAMODIBE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 130
8 September 2011 Take: 377
EIGHTH ORDER: Mr D M GUMEDE
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mrs D M RAMODIBE: Chair, the department received an unqualified audit opinion. However, there were matters of emphasis, to mention but a few: overspending; underadministration; unauthorised expenditure amounting to R3,7 million; R6,6 million disclosed as irregular expenditure; and you will read more about them in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee reports, the ATCs.
Let me go straightaway to the challenges. The committee noted that the department did not have a strategic plan and an annual performance plan for the year 2010-11, thus making it difficult for the committee to measure the department's performance against approved objectives.
The committee noted that there was a lack of leadership within the department. It would appear that there was no guidance provided to support officials within the department for the period under review. The committee noted, with concern, that the department's objectives, targets and respective indicators did not always correlate with each other, thus evaluating progress made was very difficult.
The committee observed that most of the activities the department reported on as achievements related to the development of draft concept papers, attendance at meetings and conferences, collaborations and consultations. The outcomes thereof were unclear, hence the committee questioned how such activities would impact on and improve the lives of women, children and persons with disabilities in the country.
The committee was concerned about how the department would achieve its mandate, given that the mandate involved three sectors across all government departments. It was also unclear as to what the exact nature was of the relationship between the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities and the ministry's performance, monitoring and evaluation.
Regarding commendations by the committee, the department is urged to address concerns, as highlighted by the committee, and report on progress accordingly in terms of the inner year monitoring reports. The department's objectives, targets and indicators should be linked accordingly to clear timeframes, bearing in mind the overall mandate. These targets should be reviewed so that they are more specific and narrow.
The department should strengthen relationships with other government departments and civil society through engagement with the national gender machinery, the children's machinery and the national disability machinery. The sanitary dignity campaign requires review in so far as the department's role is concerned, that is co-ordination. In addition, the impact of the campaign should be assessed to determine its sustainability and effectiveness. The dignity, privacy and respect of the beneficiaries: young girls, must be ensured. The outcomes of attendance of conferences, meetings and collaborations should be more apparent in its reporting on progress.
In terms of the target related to education for all children in South Africa, the department has to consider focusing on measurable and achievable targets. In terms of these targets, the department should assist with monitoring and evaluation of their outcomes. In terms of treaty compliance and monitoring of key legislation, the department should separate each piece of legislation and treaty with corresponding targets when reporting progress. The department needs to provide clarity on the status and nature of the various memoranda of understanding it has signed. I therefore table this report for adoption. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Ms K R MAGAU: Thank you, Chair. A number of challenges have been raised in this report. Having noted them, I therefore move that with all that the portfolio committee must intensify its oversight of the department. I therefore move that the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
TENTH ORDER: Mr P S SIZANI
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 130
8 September 2011 Take: 377
NINTH ORDER: Mrs D M RAMODIBE
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mr P S SIZANI: Hon Chair, considering where we have come from with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, especially the fact that most of what is happening in the rural areas is run, administered and controlled by the urban centres, few people know the truth about what is required in terms of the amount of land, numbers of beneficiaries, the cost of land acquisition and registration of titles of land. Mistakenly, the Land Claims Commission was given an arbitrary deadline of 2008 to acquire and distribute 30% of commercial agricultural land via an inadequate amount of funds using the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle.
Staffing of the department was kept low as most of their work, such as research, evaluations, management of land holdings, pre- and postsettlement support for beneficiaries, was done by consultants, resulting in long delays, fictitious beneficiaries, dysfunctional communal property associations, trusts and associations. Many farms, so acquired, were never tilled. Many farms were gazetted on poor research reports by consultants, who rarely consulted the farmers and beneficiaries. This resulted in a huge number of court cases, which put the budget of the department in jeopardy - that is, on wasteful and fruitless expenditure owing to the court fees and interest.
However, in the 2010-11 financial year, we witnessed three huge changes in the department. Firstly, there was a hands-on political champion of the department, resulting in outcome-based performance, close scrutiny of quantities of land acquired, verification of beneficiaries linked to those pieces of land, investigations of wayward behaviour, especially the collusion of staff with estate agents who distorted land acquisition costs in pursuit of high commissions. There has been a charge of guard in the senior management of the department, resulting in more transparency in financial management systems design, and control and accountability.
Thirdly, there has been programme-based budgeting followed by better collaboration of the department with stakeholders, its partners and beneficiaries, especially in terms of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme. Fourthly, for the first time in rural development, rural communities have a say in decisions about their development and therefore we now know the budget is inadequate for its purpose. We also know when the state land will be fully accounted for. We also know that the smash-and-grab land tenure system in our country is going to come to an end. We further know that all staff that collaborate with the criminals are going to be arrested.
We know that the beneficiaries are getting financial and technical support from the state and the private sector. Above all, we know that the Auditor-General, the Special Investigating Unit, and the KPMG will reveal all hidden abuse of state funds. Therefore the Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform commends this report, and I thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Ms K R MAGAU: Chair, we welcome all the knowledge that the portfolio committee has brought to the House in terms of the progress the department is making. I move that the Report on the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
11TH AND 12TH ORDERS: Adv J H de LANGE / LM/END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 131
8 September 2011 Take: 377
TENTH ORDER: Mr P S SIZANI
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): Order! I now recognise the hon De Lange. According to my notes here, there has been some mistake. Please go ahead, hon De Lange.
Mr J H DE LANGE: I wasn't aware that I was deposed, but, luckily, you seem to have reinstated me, Madam Chair.
Madam Chair, I rise on behalf of our committee which has unanimously supported both reports on the Department of Environment and the Department of Water Affairs. I want to start by first thanking publicly all the parties and all the members in the committee, particularly the leaders of other parties, for the very constructive and professional role that they all played.
I want to say to you that there is a very good working relationship in the committee – one that is based on professionalism and the understanding that each one of us has a mandate from our parties to fulfil, but we do it in a way in which we respect the dignity and the integrity of all members and make sure that, in our working relationship, we do our work in a way that ensures that we are acting in the best interests of the country and not only in our narrow self-interest of our parties or as individuals. So, I want to publicly acknowledge that role played by the leaders of the other parties, as well as the one played by those of the ANC.
Secondly, I want to make a general point about the Money Bill and the Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report process. We, as the committee, have difficulty in trying to understand this process. However, we are fully supportive of the principles and intentions behind it.
But it is very difficult to work out what we are actually trying to achieve because what the Constitution enjoins us, as Parliament, to do is to play a meaningful and constructive role in deciding what the budget is. The problem that we have as a committee is that in February every year, we are quickly given the budget and we see it then for the first time - the actual budget of our department. There are 10 days to process this and then we adopt the budget based on the strategic plans, and so on.
But, then, as you are aware, we only have that short period to look at the budget. Then later in the year, in August, we receive the annual report of the department. By this stage, we are already past the budget for that particular year. Now we receive an annual report of the past year and we try to make sense of it.
We all know how the executive processes work. The executives decide by November each year what the budget for the following year will be. They then take that to Cabinet and Cabinet processes it. There is no process for us in the committee to look at the budget before February. When you try to raise this with the departments, they say that they are very worried about doing this because there is a process – and, obviously, it has to be like that – in which they confidentially give their inputs in the executive process. We are now asking them to state publicly what that is before the executive has looked at the process.
So, again - and I'm doing this on behalf of the whole committee - we ask Parliament, as we have raised this before and are now looking at what the executive process is, to let us please look at what the executive process is and what it is we want to do in Parliament. Let's mesh these two together and draft a piece of legislation that gives effect to what we are trying to achieve.
It just makes no sense to adopt the budget in February, after we have seen it for 10 days, and then start looking at performance for the rest of the year. We are actually not saying anything as Parliament about the next budget, which is now going to happen in November, as we stand here. So, in general, we would like to see a task team of both the executive and Parliament to look at those processes, harmonise them, and then create one process whereby we can have a more meaningful role in looking at the budgets of Parliament.
Let me turn to the Department of Water Affairs. We have reported before this House that there have been big problems with the leadership in Water Affairs. This has now gone on for quite a while in terms of which all the top leadership are either suspended or facing serious disciplinary matters, mainly on issues of dishonesty. Some of them are now being replaced and there are processes to replace them. But you can imagine that for a year or two now there has been complete instability in the department.
Over and above that, we are supportive of the Minister's business review process that is taking place in the department. But that as well is taking some time and, of course, we can't really start changing things for the better until that process is finalised.
So, again, we want to say to Parliament that we are monitoring those two processes. We are trying to bring them to finalisation as soon as possible. Hopefully, by next time we report here, we will have more positive things to say about that.
The biggest problem we face in the department at the moment is the dysfunctionality of its financial management system. For two years in a row, the department has had qualified annual reports. Actually, the amount of qualifications are increasing, not decreasing. It's getting worse.
Furthermore, there is a water trading account which collects money for water used. That account has now received three disclaimers in a row. [Interjections.] We cannot account properly for the monies that we are getting in for the water that is being used. There have been disclaimers three years in a row now.
Now, there are a whole lot of steps that have to be taken to fix this. This has become the first priority of the committee: to help the department, through the Auditor-General's office and Treasury, to try to fix this system. We hope to achieve this in the same way as Home Affairs has done over a period of time.
In fact, one of the things that we have suggested in the committee is that it may be worthwhile that, as the committee and the department, we meet with the Department of Home Affairs to see some of the things that they did to turn around their strategy. We will, hopefully, pursue that. Furthermore, the new director-general is in the process of being appointed. The appointment of two chief financial officers is also in progress.
One of the other issues that we have raised, which we need to rectify quickly, is that we found out that the people that deal with finances in the department are not actually accountable to the chief financial officer. They are accountable to the head in their section. When you look at that, it's a recipe for disaster, because the same people that make political decisions about the money are also the ones that are telling the financial people how to deal with the issue. So we have asked the department to rectify this. There are many other projects and programmes that we are pursuing in the department, which we won't report on on this occasion. Some of these are in the report that we have agreed to.
The Department of Environmental Affairs is a different kettle of fish. It's a very exemplary child. It has unqualified reports, is very professional, the leadership is stable and has been so for years. To the large extent, they are a small department that deals with policy issues. So we are very fortunate with that department. There are no big issues to report to the House.
That is why it is also important to mention ...
An HON MEMBER: Cheers! [Laughter.]
Mr J H DE LANGE: Cheers! I hope it was something stronger. I'm a bit nervous here. [Laughter.] But I will go with water at this stage.
This department is exceptionally well drilled, well versed and it produces work of a very professional standard. That is why we are very lucky as South Africa that the whole issue of climate change falls under this department. This means that we can take a leadership and an exemplary role in the world, particularly in the international negotiations on issues of climate change.
I wish that some of you could receive the reports that we receive and the quality of work that is produced by the Chief Negotiator of South Africa, his staff and department. We really want to commend very strongly the work that they are doing and we, as the committee, are very supportive of the positions that they are taking internationally. We know that they are going to do us proud at Cop 17.
Furthermore, of course, since 2005 they have embarked on a policy process to adopt a policy on climate change. This policy has gone through many stages. It culminated in a Green Paper and we had public hearings on that Green Paper.
Mr S B FARROW: Madam Chair, on a point of order: I appreciate what the hon De Lange is telling us; it's very interesting. But, you know, we have read the Announcements, Tablings and Committee reports and my understanding from the programming committee this morning is that there would have been five minutes allocated to each portfolio chairperson. [Interjections.] Now there are some who have omitted to talk, but are you using that particular 110 minutes ... [Inaudible.]
Adv J H DE LANGE: If you listened ... I have two reports to give and they have been combined. Just try to listen sometimes, you know.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): It's two reports, and it's not per chairperson; it is per committee. [Interjections.]
Adv J H DE LANGE: You are really being petty.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): It is five minutes per committee. Continue, hon De Lange.
Adv J H DE LANGE: Thank you. So the second issue is that I really want to recommend to this House to actually read the White Paper. At the moment, we are busy with public hearings around the White Paper. It has had an exceptionally positive response from everyone. Obviously, there are small issues of detail where there is disagreement. But, to a large extent, South Africa and civil society are basically very much in agreement around where we are going with this White Paper. So this is a very, very important document. It's
obviously one that we wanted to finalise before Cop 17 so that we could take the kind of leadership role that we should be taking there and we would have done so by example. In some instances, this policy paper of ours is exceptionally progressive. In many instances, it gives direction and leadership on issues and we, as the committee, recommend very strongly that this Parliament engages with the paper.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): Would you wind up, hon member?
Mr J H DE LANGE: Lastly, the other point that we want to make on the issue of the environment is that we are strongly supportive as the committee that more money be given by government to conservation. Very little money is given to conservation; most of it is actually generated by itself.
For us to be able to keep our heritage for our children, as a government, we should be giving more money to conservation, particularly to Isimangaliso in KwaZulu-Natal. I, therefore, refer and commend both reports on behalf of the whole committee to this House for adoption. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Ms K R MAGAU: The Chief Whip is now in the House, but I will have to finish this process. But in case people think he has been overthrown, he is still the Chief Whip. [Laughter.]
With regard to the two reports presented by the hon De Lange, we would like to take note of the closing comments on the first report about the process. We believe that a process to deal with the challenges that he raised will be put in place. So we therefore recommend that the two reports be adopted. Thank you. [Applause.]
Motion agreed to.
Reports accordingly adopted.
13th ORDER: Mrs H H MALGAS / GM//END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 132
8 September 2011 Take: 377
11TH & 12 ORDERS: Adv J H DE LANGE
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mrs H H MALGAS: Hon Chairperson, members, we as the committee commend the department and its entities, which are Umalusi, the SA Council for Educators, and the Education Labour Relations Council, for continuing to receive unqualified audit opinions in relation to the management of their finances. The committee was also pleased that South Africa rated well on standard indicators of access to education and that the department was advancing in many areas in giving expression to its mandate of providing quality education.
The committee itself supports the department's efforts of sustaining gains made in equity and access. It also welcomes inroads made in terms of planning to address the infrastructure backlog.
Although the department made significant achievements, we have noted within our report our concerns, and we made certain recommendations regarding the concerns we had, and they are in our ATCs – Announcements, Tablings and Committee reports.
There are only two points that I would like to highlight when it comes to the Basic Education report. Firstly, according to the Auditor General's report, when it comes to our different education departments within different provinces, including the national department - except Gauteng - irregular expenditure and wasteful expenditure are very high. So, we as a committee – because I would like to reiterate this in this House - would like to receive regular updates as a matter of urgency on the nature and impact of interventions to improve the management of finances in all the affected provinces.
I think what would be important is that we should follow up when it comes to the provincial Auditor-General's reports with the relevant committees in Parliament. When it comes to Umalusi, we as a committee would like the Minister to ensure that additional funding be provided in order for this entity to effectively carry out its extended mandate. Lastly, because everything is in our report, the committee would like to move for the report, as tabled in the ATC and to the House, be adopted. I thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Ms K R MAGAU: Chairperson, I move on behalf of the Chief Whip of the Majority Party that Order No 13, the report of the Committee on Basic Education, be adopted. Thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): The motion is that the Report be adopted. Are there any objections? No objections, so it is agreed to.
Mr S B FARROW: Chair, this is just a point of clarity: My colleague the hon James has just mentioned something that was read in the report which might be contradictory. Could we just question that particular aspect, please, if you wouldn't mind?
The HOUSE CHAIRPESON (Ms F Hajaig): The DA can go ahead with the question.
Dr W G JAMES: Thank you very much, Chair. This is just for the sake of clarity. Could the hon chairperson just repeat what she said about the Auditor-General's report when it comes to wasteful expenditure regarding provinces? Just for the record, could she repeat what she said?
Mrs H H MALGAS: Hon Chairperson, when you look at the Auditor-General's report, the report that we received about our provinces, all our provinces, except Gauteng - all eight provinces including the national department – had high rates of irregular expenditure; fruitless and wasteful expenditure. The only thing I said afterwards, with regard to our recommendation, was that we need to have regular updates from our department on progress made when it comes to financial management. Secondly, when it comes to the committees that we have here, we have to meet with them. One of those committees will be the Finance committee - because those were decisions we made with Scopa - and even the NCOP, so that we can look at how our different provinces manage their finances. Thank you. [Applause.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): I now recognise the hon Chief Whip of the Majority Party.
Ms K R MAGAU: Chairperson, as already said, we also affirm that the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
FOURTEENTH ORDER: Mr S E KHOLWANE / GG//GM (ed)/ END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 133
8 September 2011 Take: 377
THIRTEENTH ORDER: Mrs H H MALGAS
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mr S E KHOLWANE: Chairperson, the committee has looked at the annual report of the department and we have raised the following concerns. One of the concerns is that the department is still facing a lot of challenges around corporate governance and how they manage their finances.
We have also raised concerns about the shortage of staff, particularly in high positions. This concern formed part of our previous recommendations. The department has not managed to fill those positions. We were also concerned that 95% of our 2009-10 recommendations were not implemented. This was due to the fact that there had been a high turnover in leadership positions of the department. We hope that moving forward those who are in the department will focus and implement the recommendations.
However, we also noted that there is some progress in terms of state-owned enterprises, in particular Sentech which has received an unqualified report. But, on the same note, we are disappointed that the SABC and the Universal Service and Access Agency of SA, Usaasa, have entered the terrain of qualified reports. We must also say that we are disappointed as the committee about the performance of the Usaasa board. That entity did not implement any of the strategic plans presented before the committee. In that regard, the committee recommended that the Minister responsible consider taking strong actions against the Usaasa board. If possible, the board members concerned must be relieved of their duties because they failed South Africans in terms of making sure that the ICT infrastructure was available throughout the country.
However, I must also express my appreciation, as the chair of the committee, for the way the committee members from the opposition parties – in particular, the DA, Cope and the IFP - conducted themselves in the committee and for the wisdom and direction they continue to provide. Yes, we have learnt that whatever the parties, including the ANC, raise in the committee, is raised so as to try to build the department to make sure that it becomes a successful department.
An issue which all parties are in consensus about is that the department seems to forget that they are a policy development department. They start entering the terrain of wanting to run projects, which they are not supposed to. They must focus on policy development and let the state-owned companies run those projects as required. With that, I recommend that the House adopt the Report. Thank you.
There was no debate.
Ms K R MAGAU: Chair, we would like to welcome the spirit that has been shown of working together by all parties in this portfolio committee. Also, regarding the policy issues that the board seems to forget about, the portfolio committee will focus on making sure that all that happens. On that note, I would like to recommend that the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
FIFTEENTH ORDER: Mrs L S CHIKUNGA
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 133
8 September 2011 Take: 377
FOURTEENTH ORDER: Mr S E KHOLWANE
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF POLICE FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mrs L S CHIKUNGA: Chairperson, the Department of Police received a budget of R53,5 billion for the year 2010-11. In terms of that budget the department received yet another unqualified audit opinion with one matter of emphasis. By the end of the financial year the department had spent almost 100% of the budget with a small underspending of R40 000.
Key spending priorities of 2010-11 were identified and targets set by the department, most of which were achieved. Further, the Department of Police ensured an incident-free 2010 Soccer World Cup tournament. They made sure that all criminals signed leave forms.
However, it is worth noting the following few points. One, the department incurred an irregular expenditure of R76,1 million in comparison to R2,5 million for 2009-10, which is an increase of almost 3000%. Two, the department incurred a contingent liability to the value of R601 million for the Sanlam Middestad building lease. Three, the portfolio committee is concerned about the obvious misuse of section 35 of the South African Police Service Act, which resulted in the payment of R31 million to 19 SA Police Service members. Four, the SAPS employment regulation which allows for the promotion of members without following the normal process of advertising and interviewing, we believe, is somehow misused. Five, the construction of police stations is another challenge. Cost escalation is a blatant manifestation.
However, the SAPS 2010-11 annual report was once more professionally prepared. Crime statistics released during that year revealed a decrease in most serious crimes, including murder. The overarching recommendation is that the Department of Police should note the responsibility that comes with receiving the biggest budget in the Justice and Security cluster and should use these funds responsibly at all times.
We want to congratulate the SAPS top management on availing themselves throughout the process of deliberations and analysis of the SAPS annual report. We also want to thank the members of the Portfolio Committee on Police across party lines for their hard work and dedication to our cause. They are simply the best team. We move that the Report be adopted. We thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Ms K R MAGAU: Chair, we would like to welcome the Report as presented by the chairperson and we also commend the Department of Police for a well-presented 2010 World Cup. We would want to believe that the concerns raised by the portfolio committee will also be followed up – all of them. On that note, we would like to recommend that the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Police on performance be accepted. [Applause.]
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
SIXTEENTH ORDER: Mrs M C MABUZA /SPB /GC/ END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 134
8 September 2011 Take: 377
FIFTEENTH ORDER: Mrs L S CHIKUNGA
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mrs M C MABUZA: Chairperson, the Portfolio Committee on Public Works engaged with the annual report of the Department of Public Works. The main concerns of the committee has been the poor audit report received by the department, the major shortcomings in the department's asset register, irregular expenditure and lease renewals that had not been identified for six months. The list goes go on and on. The Auditor-General was not even able to express an opinion, and the department consequently received a disclaimer.
The department's response to this was that it differs with the AG's views. As a committee, we made it clear to the department that we will only be satisfied with major improvement in the next financial year.
The committee would like to wish the newly appointed Minister well in his major task of turning the department around. As the committee, we are ready to assist the Minister. We are there for the Minister. The Minister has engaged with us and said that he was ready to turn the department around. The committee presents the Report to this House for adoption. I would also like to thank the members of the committee for honestly engaging with the report. I thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Ms K R MAGAU: Chairperson, we believe that the long list referred to in the said report on the 2010-11 financial year by the chairperson will be resolved moving forward. Having said that, we would like to welcome the Report and move that it be adopted. Thank you.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
SEVENTEENTH ORDER: Mr S E KHOLWANE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 134
8 September 2011 Take: 377
SIXTEENTH ORDER: Mrs M C MABUZA
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS ON PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms F Hajaig): The hon E S S Kholwane?
Mr S E KHOLWANE: Chairperson, there was an addition to my initials - another S. It is supposed to be S E Kholwane. But that's okay. In relation to the annual report of the Government Communication and Information System, GCIS, the committee wants to express its appreciation to the leadership of that department for the manner in which they handle issues. In particular, I want to appreciate the work done by Mr Manyi, the CEO of GCIS. Indeed, they have again managed to get an unqualified report.
However, there are issues which we want to raise, moving forward. One of those issues is that we think that the mandate for the Media Diversity and Development Agency, the MDDA, should be reviewed. This is part of our recommendation as the committee. This should be done in particular to ensure that they are given enough power to make sure that indeed the print media industry does transform as required. This is because as it is now, there is a limitation on what the MDDA can do in transforming that particular part of the industry.
Again, in the same vein, we want their mandate to be reviewed to also deal with the issue of the advertising industry because we see the print media industry and the advertising industry as the industries that are still far behind in terms of the process of transformation.
However, we want to congratulate the former International Marketing Council, IMC, which is now called Brand South Africa, on work well done in terms of branding the country overseas and so on. We also want to commend the leadership of the GCIS which, immediately after the Auditor-General finished their audit processes, developed a programme to address issues raised by the Auditor-General. This programme must still be presented before the portfolio committee next week Tuesday. On that note, we want to recommend that the Report on the GCIS be adopted by the House. Thank you.
There was no debate.
Ms K R MAGAU: Madam Chair, on behalf of the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, I move that the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
EIGHTEENTH ORDER: Mrs N M TWALA / src / END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 135
8 September 2011 Take: 377
SEVENTEENTH ORDER: Mr S E KHOLWANE
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mrs N M TWALA: Chairperson, the report was tabled in the ATC of 24 October 2011 and, in terms of the recommendations, the portfolio committee felt strongly about the following.
The portfolio committee is of the opinion that the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must be accountable for all the funds disbursed to provinces and must be able to monitor how the funds are used.
Any budgetary increase for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries needs to consider prioritising research and technology development by increasing the grant allocation to the Agricultural Research Council, which is the country's premier agricultural research institution, and the Onderstepoort Biological Products, which currently does not get any budget allocation from the department.
The portfolio committee was also concerned – and felt strongly – that there should consideration of options by the department to minimise the use of consultants.
The extension recovery plan has not yielded tangible results in terms of benefits to the people that are served by the extension services.
By March 2012, the department must present a plan for this sector, outlining the number of people that the country feeds through domestic production and imports, and the plan must include long-term projections of food needs.
Development farmers who acquired farms through private means must be provided with assistance to run their farms productively. The legislation that constrained the development of the sector needs to be reviewed and amended where necessary.
We present the Report to this House for consideration. I thank you. [Applause.]
Ms K R MAGAU: Thank you, Chair. We would like to recommend that the Report on the Portfolio Committee of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
NINETEENTH ORDER: Mr M I MALALE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 136
8 September 2011 Take: 377
EIGHTEENTH ORDER: Mrs N M TWALA
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mr M I MALALE: Chairperson, the portfolio committee scrutinised the report of the department and some of its entities. We noted that in the first quarter of the year under review, the department was able to expend an amount of R14,9 billion, of which R10 billion consisted of transfers to our 23 universities and colleges.
But we noted the paucity of good governance and institutional ethics in some of the institutions, which resulted in three universities and one college being put under administration by the Minister in terms of the provisions of the Higher Education Act. We would like to propose that the Minister foster and promote a culture of good governance and visionary leadership in these institutions.
We noted that 57% of the staff complement at 50 public colleges are not properly qualified. We would like the Minister to introduce a special project to train staff in this sector so that the quality of education can be increased.
An amount of R1,6 billion was utilised by 23 Sector Education and Training Authorities and the National Skills Fund; with 21 of the Setas receiving unqualified reports. We have had the problem of a disclaimer for the Public Service Seta and of a qualified report for the Services Seta. We would like to recommend that efforts be undertaken to improve good governance in these underperforming Setas. But we also appreciate and embrace the tough stance taken by the Department for the Public Service and Administration to ensure that some of the culprits in incidents of dishonesty languish behind bars.
In general, we still would like to see an improvement in the performance of the Setas in terms of alignment of their targets with the human resource strategy of the country, the National Skills Development Strategy, the Industrial Action Plan Two and the New Growth Path initiatives.
The department also received an unqualified report which had only been dented by an irregular expenditure of about R4 million. We would like the Minister to ensure that the department strictly adheres to the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act and the concomitant regulations and the practice notes that are issued by National Treasury from time to time, and ensure that action is taken against any individual who is found to have breached the rules.
The Auditor-General also observed that there was no consistency between the annual report and the initial annual performance plan of the department. We would like to see an improvement in that area. This is an issue that we have always impressed upon the department in the current year. We hope that they will improve in that regard.
Lastly, there has been very slow progress regarding the establishment of the two universities in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape. We would like to urge the Minister to ensure that the department submits a comprehensive and detailed bid to the National Treasury in the forthcoming budgetary period to ensure that funds are made available to establish these two universities. The committee said I must emphasise this. Therefore I am emphasising that there must be a bid by the department to secure funds for the establishment of the two universities, whilst we are still alive. [Applause.]
The department should also prioritise the adult education and training programme in the coming year because there has not been any progress in that area. We have been told that the department has undertaken preparatory projects ... [Inaudible.] We recommend that this Report be adopted. Thank you very much, Chair. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Ms K R MAGAU: Chair, we would like to support the portfolio committee's plea that delivery of the two universities should happen in our lifetime. On that note, I would like to move that the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
TWENTIETH ORDER: Mrs J C MOLOI-MOROPA
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 137
8 September 2011 Take: 377
TWENTY-FIRST ORDER: Ms K R MAGAU
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mrs J C MOLOI-MOROPA: Chairperson, in light of the report and the recommendations already submitted to Parliament, the portfolio committee wants to emphasise that the medium-term review of the department and its entities' budget be adopted so that the mandate of the department can be carried through, subject to spending on services and programmes for which the funds have been allocated.
There are some issues that the committee has emphasised as already captured in the recommendations. We are definitely not going to repeat them, but we will just focus on those that we are emphasising. For example, the instability caused by the long delay in filling the vacant position of the director-general has had an impact on the entire structure of the department and the Public Service. This even had an impact on other aspects, such as the signing of performance contracts, the declarations of interests, and many others.
Sesotho:
Modulasetulo, ho ye ho thwe ha katse e le siyo ditweba di a hlanaka. Ho mmeng he, ho bohlokwa hore re hatelle ntho ena ha re tla bua ka tlhatlhobo ena ya lefapha. Nnete ke hore re a tseba hore ke letsatsi la pele Molaodi-Kakaretso a le teng, empa ba dutse nako e telele ba hloka hlooho ya lefapha. Ntho e tshwanang le eo ha re batle hore e be teng. Re batla hore ha ho ba le sekgeo se kwalwe ka wona motsotso oo hobane ha se sa kwalwe se re bakela mathata a fetang ao o a bonang.
O tla fumana hore dintho tse kang tumellano ya tshebetso, tsebahatso ya dikgahleho le tse ding tse tlamehang ho etswa, ha di a etswa. Tsena tsohle di ye di fokole ha katse e le siyo. Ha re batle mmuso wa ditweba tse hlanakang. Kahoo, re batla lefapha le tsebe hore, re le komiti, re hlile re a e hatella taba ya hore ntho e kang ena ha re a ka ra e rata.
English:
Again, the finalisation of the human resource development and management strategy is a critical aspect as is within this strategy that we'll have a proper integrated financial management system that will bring to an end the inaccurate Persal system and assist government to function efficiently.
As you know, there is always a lull when it comes to Persal. At some point, it just has to be done away with. We need to have a proper system with accurate data and accurate information. The excuse about Persal must come to an end. We no longer want to hear that song anymore.
The department has to improve its public-participation process in order to speed up, among other things, the improvement of the Thusong Centres, particularly those in rural areas, so that people can access services with ease. If we were to consider Batho Pele as one concept that is spearheaded and generated by the department, it has to be reflected wherever people are. For example, if those Thusong Centres work, particularly in rural areas, people can then access services and can then start to experience Batho Pele, etc. Therefore, it is important for us to make sure that the process of correcting all the Thusong Centres that the committee went to in rural areas that were not working is speeded up.
The vetting process appears to be a thorny issue across all government departments. As all committees of Parliament are responsible for oversight, we want to overemphasise to government that the vetting process has to improve drastically, particularly for officials recruited in supply-chain management. This is in order to curb the spread of corrupt practices. We cannot afford to have a weakness in that area. This came up in almost all committees and it is therefore a major concern to us. We definitely have to get a positive response regarding that issue.
The department should provide good leadership on wage negotiations to avoid unnecessary strikes. It should effectively monitor the implementation of the affirmative action programme, particularly for people with disabilities. It is scandalous that we could not meet the targets for employing disabled people. That is so wrong. I think we should really do something beyond just accepting that it did not happen. Something must be done. This is so wrong. It paints a very bad picture. I know we do have the ability to do the right thing.
In conclusion, the Public Service Commission will be of great assistance if it sharpens its monitoring and evaluation system in order to assess and evaluate the impact of government service delivery. This will spearhead achievement and have a positive impact on service delivery in areas that had been identified as weak spots. In other words, we must zoom in on areas identified as weak in governance in order for us to achieve the endeavour of the developmental state we envisage. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Ms K R MAGAU: Chairperson, we hope that the chairperson and the portfolio committee will assist us by ensuring that the cat is always around so that mice do not dance all the time. Therefore, we recommend that the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
TWENTY-FIRST ORDER: Ms K R MAGAU/ A N N / END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 138
8 September 2011 Take: 377
TWENTIETH ORDER: Mrs J C MOLOI-MOROPA
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
Ms K R MAGAU: Chair, the Committee on International Relations and Co-operation has the following to say. Overall the department has performed according to the goals it set itself for the 2010-11 reporting period. The 2010-11 budgetary allocations of the department were generally aligned to the national strategic priorities outlined in the 2010 state of the nation address, as well as its strategic direction, in terms of its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.
The unqualified audit report with emphasis of matter, when rectified, will still be a positive indication of commitment of purpose by the Department of International Relations and Co-operation to its mandate. The committee acknowledges that, in general, there are challenges facing the department which can have a bearing on its service delivery programme in the midst of a global meltdown in the international environment. The missions abroad have to deal with decreased support for development assistance from co-operating partners.
The portfolio committee has the following issues to raise: that in pursuit of an African Renaissance Fund, activities in Africa and elsewhere and in the context of post-conflict reconstruction and development, the department should conduct a review of the involvement on the continent to draw lessons and identify areas of focus for future engagements in terms of the African Renaissance Fund or the South African Development Partnership Agency, Sadpa,when it takes over. We are also saying that in its multilateral agreements, the department must seek concrete action on international commitments on programmes such as Nepad and projects as espoused by the European Union, as well as the United Nations.
Lastly, in light of recent natural and man-made disasters, there is a need for a vigorous popularisation campaign of Rosa, which is the Registration of South Africans Abroad, in order to be informed of the presence of South African citizens in areas of accreditation.
All the parties in the portfolio committee agreed on the report. I therefore present the Report for adoption by the House. I thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon House Chair, after a peaceful coup and distinguished service as acting Chief Whip of the Majority Party, no-one can doubt the credibility of her report, and I move that this House adopt the Report. [Applause.]
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.
TWENTY-SECOND ORDER: Mrs M M MAUNYE / JM/UNH (Checked) / END OF TAKE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 139
8 September 2011 Take: 377
TWENTY-FIRST ORDER: Ms K R MAGAU
CONSIDERATION OF BUDGETARY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS ON PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS FOR 2010-11 FINANCIAL YEAR
Mrs M M MAUNYE: Chairperson, allow me, with your indulgence, to correct a typographical error made on page 3 374 of the Announcements, Tablings and Committee report dated Monday, 24 October 2011. In the first line of paragraph 4.2.3, under the heading "Transfers", there is an amount of R996 billion. It is a typographical error; it should be R996 million.
On 12 October 2011, the Department of Home Affairs presented its 2010-11 annual report. Having considered this and other oversight conducted by the committee, the budgetary review and recommendation report was debated, finalised and then adopted by members of the committee. On this, the second budget review and recommendation report, BRRR, done by Parliament, members of the committee made constructive inputs to ensure that the recommendations of the report were more specific and in line with the government's programme of action, the President's state of the nation address and observations made during oversight and legislative work. Chairperson, these are the observations that the committee made.
There is concern about the filling of vacancies. The committee observed that the assets register was still not up to date. There was insufficient training of staff in the basic accounting system. There was a shortage of vehicles and some were ageing. The department's systems of risk management, internal control and government processes were not continually monitored effectively and efficiently. We are concerned about the R1,2 billion contingent legal fees in the annual report. This is too high a fee.
There was concern about the problem of many unresolved queries and delays in duplicate identity numbers. The problem of uncollected identity documents that are still laying in Home Affairs offices was also a concern. The "Who Am I Online" project needs to be settled and concluded. It would be good if the department could get more funds to roll out the smartcard project to decrease corruption.
The introduction of the live capture of photos for passports and identity documents at all Home Affairs offices will be helpful in reducing corruption. Online verification of identity has still not been implemented.
The shortage of staff at ports of entry, the lack of offices and the lack of accommodation for officials are still problems. The backlog in outstanding asylum-seeker applications and appeals is still of concern, because there are appeals that haven't gone through to the Appeals Board. The process of appointing a chief executive officer for the Government Printing Works, GPW, needs to be speeded up.
We are indeed satisfied that the Minister and her department's leadership are systematically addressing the many challenges faced by the Department of Home Affairs and would like to encourage them to continue doing so. We move for the adoption of the Report with the amendment. Thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Sesotho:
Mof K R MAGAU: Modulasetulo, ke a leboha.
English:
We would like to move that the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, as presented with the amendment by the chair, be adopted.
Declarations of vote - Mr G B D McINTOSH
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 139
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mrs M M MAUNYE
Declarations of vote:
Mr G B D McINTOSH: Mr Chairman, I would like to just make a declaration. I think we all know that this BRRR is a new process and it is something we are all learning. It is a strange animal for this Parliament and I think our committee, which is a very happy portfolio committee and very ably chaired by our chairlady, is super.
But there are one or two things which I wish to declare. Firstly, although I am a member of the portfolio committee, I haven't had an opportunity to adopt the final report. Secondly, it does not mention the fact that at this moment there are 30 Cuban Spanish-speaking trainers in the Northern Cape who are training 300 immigration officials who had been transferred from the Department of Defence into the department.
I don't think there has been an adequate motivation for the necessity of this, as to why we need to bring in other trainers, why they need to be from Cuba, and why, in fact, the department needs to bring in Defence Force personnel. I just want to make that clear. Thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): Thank you, hon member. Although it was only Cope which requested a declaration, does any other party wish to make a declaration?
Mrs M M MAUNYE
UNREVISED HANSARD
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Take: 139
8 September 2011 Take: 377
Mr G B D McINTOSH
Mrs M M MAUNYE: Chair, through you, to clarify the matter, I would like to state that the report was adopted in an appropriate manner by the committee and the hon McIntosh was not in. He had sent an apology that he would not be present that day, and the apology was accepted. The hon Kiki Rwexana was present on that day. Thank you, Chairperson.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr M B Skosana): Thank you for the explanation, but the party has a right to make a declaration. With that declaration, are there any objections to the report being accepted? There are no objections.
Motion agreed to.
Report adopted accordingly.
The House adjourned at 16:27.
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