Hansard: NA: Consideration of National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Amendment Bill; Consideration of request for approval of Adoption of an autonomous Recommendation on the Social Protection Floor by the International Labour Organisation

House: National Assembly

Date of Meeting: 02 Sep 2014

Summary

No summary available.


Minutes

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                                          Take: 120

 

 

START OF DAY

 

 

 

TUESDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 2014

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

_________

 

The House met at 14:02.

 

The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

 

 

 

STATEMENT

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 120

START OF DAY

 

 

 

 

 

EVENTS OF 21 AUGUST 2014, DURING QUESTIONS TO PRESIDENT

(Statement by Speaker of the National Assembly)

 

The SPEAKER: Hon members, before we proceed with the rest of the business today, I would like to make the following remarks: On Thursday, 21 August 2014, during Questions to the President, members of the EFF, after expressing dissatisfaction with a reply by the President, engaged in conduct that led to the disruption of proceedings, to the extent that the House had to be adjourned in terms of Rule 56, and the Assembly was prevented from finalising its scheduled business for that day.

 

The procedure for oral questions in the House is regulated by Rule 113, which provides that, in respect of each question, four supplementary questions may be asked, and that the hon member in whose name a question stands must be given the first opportunity to ask a supplementary question.

 

During Questions to the President, the hon Malema, in whose name Question No 3 stood, was given the first opportunity to ask the President a supplementary question. After the supplementary question was put, a point of order was raised that the matter referred to in the question was being dealt with by an ad hoc committee. I, nevertheless, recognised the hon the President and gave him the opportunity to respond to the supplementary question.

 

After the hon President’s reply, various points of order were taken from hon members of the EFF, in terms of which they claimed that they had not been answered.

 

I attempted to proceed with the business at hand by recognising the next hon member to ask a supplementary question. These attempts were unsuccessful since the hon members of the EFF persisted in rising on points of order and interjecting, using the floor microphones.

 

Other members who were due to ask supplementary questions were denied an opportunity to do so because of the disruptions. Members should be aware that, in terms of Rule 52, I could have suspended the members concerned immediately. At the time, I opted for a lesser sanction, which was to order the members to leave the House. As members will remember, the refusal of the members of the EFF to abide by the directives and rulings of the Chair led to the early adjournment of proceedings and the question session was not concluded. The frustration of the business of this House to this extent is unprecedented in the history of this democratic Parliament.

 

On Tuesday, 26 August 2014, I made a statement to inform the House that the matter was being referred to the Powers and Privileges Committee, for the committee to investigate whether the conduct of the members involved in the disruptive actions constituted contempt of Parliament in terms of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, 2004.

 

I further informed the House that while the matter was before the committee, I was also considering the implementation of Item 10 of the Schedule to the Rules, which makes provision for the suspension of members where the allegations against them are of a very serious nature.

 

I wrote to the 20 members concerned on 26 August to afford them an opportunity to give reasons in writing why they should not be suspended. The members of the EFF subsequently submitted responses to me.

 

Hon members, the principle of separation of powers between the three arms of the state, as determined by the Constitution, is based on a system of checks and balances inherent in the relationship between the three arms. The Constitution provides not only for the legislative role of the National Assembly, but also for specific oversight and accountability functions. Questions to the executive are one such mechanism of oversight. There may well be legitimate concerns about the quality of replies to questions. However, if a member is dissatisfied with a reply, there are appropriate processes and mechanisms available, both within this House and outside of it, for members to obtain further information in line with their oversight responsibility.

 

I have taken note of reports that the sovereignty of Parliament may be under threat and wish to assure hon members that Parliament will continue to retain its independence in line with the Constitution and the doctrine of separation of powers. Security was called upon to assist the Serjeant-at-Arms when members continued in their refusal to leave the Chamber, in complete and open defiance of the Chair.

 

Hon members, the security services perform any policing function in the precincts with the permission and under the authority of the Speaker or the Chairperson. In terms of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, 2004, the Speaker and the Chairperson exercise joint control and authority over the precincts of Parliament.

 

Let me state that at no point did I call on the public order policing unit during the events of 21 August. I must also mention that the capacity of Parliament’s Protection Services section is receiving attention and this is to ensure that Members of Parliament can be confident of their own safety and security within the precincts of Parliament.

 

Hon members, the National Assembly must fulfil specific constitutional functions and it is therefore imperative, in the overriding interests of protecting the functioning of the House, that the Speaker is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that the House is at all times able to perform these functions. The Constitution gives the National Assembly the power to determine and control its internal arrangements, proceedings and procedures and make rules and orders concerning its business. A situation where rules were not observed would be tantamount to anarchy.

 

As Speaker, I have the responsibility to ensure that the rights and privileges of all hon members of this House, both individually and collectively, are protected. You elected me for that purpose. As such, I cannot but strongly condemn the disruption of the proceedings in the Chamber and the manner in which this impeded the House’s ability to conduct and conclude its business. Such actions undermine the democratic process and I must urge all parties to guard against this. No matter how little one likes or trusts what the other has to say, hon members must recognise the legitimacy of all other hon members to be in this House and be accorded the right to have their voices heard and be treated with the dignity, respect and tolerance to which they are entitled as elected representatives of the people.

 

The Rules empower Presiding Officers to sanction members for contraventions which infringe upon the House’s ability to conduct its business. Members should note that actions such as those that took place on 21 August will not be tolerated and will be dealt with immediately in terms of the Rules and relevant Statutes.

 

Hon members, I have considered the submissions from the hon members of the EFF. It is my considered view that the processes currently under way in the Powers and Privileges Committee will best serve the purpose of giving effect to the relevant provisions of the Constitution, the powers and privileges Act and the Rules. At this stage, I will not invoke Item 10 of the Schedule to the Rules.

 

Regarding the scheduling of the President’s question session, we will continue interactions with the Presidency with a view to finding a suitable slot.

 

I thank you, hon members, for your attention. [Applause.]

 

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: Hon Speaker, may I please address you?

 

The SPEAKER: On what point?

 

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: On the statement that you just made in this House.

The SPEAKER: Hon member, I did not intend for the statement to be a matter for discussion. It is not my intention.

 

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: This is Parliament. You cannot make such conclusive remarks about the EFF, when the issue has been referred to a committee. We got the letter and the committee must investigate. Already you are making conclusive remarks. How is the committee going to investigate when you are making conclusive remarks in this House?

 

The SPEAKER: Hon Shivambu, I have made a statement as it is my right as the Speaker. The issues of what happened on 21 August have been referred to the committee, and that is where we end the matter for now.

 

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: But, as Members of Parliament, we are entitled to make statements as well to contend against what you are saying. You are not God; you cannot say things and say it is final. You are a Speaker who must be questioned when you make wrong statements here.

 

The SPEAKER: Hon Shivambu, I don’t intend for this statement to be discussed.

 

Mr N F SHIVAMBU: But can you please note that we don’t agree with all those observations that you have made here? The majority of them are wrong.

 

The SPEAKER: You have a right to your opinion. Therefore we will note that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

 

STATEMENT

 

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 120

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW MEMBERS

(Announcements)

 

The SPEAKER: Hon members, I wish to announce that the vacancy which occurred in the National Assembly owing to the resignation of Mr Z P Jordan has been filled by the nomination of Mr N J J van R Koornhof with effect from 12 August 2014. [Applause.]

 

The vacancy which occurred, owing to the passing away of Dr M G Oriani-Ambrosini, has been filled by the nomination of Professor C T Msimang with effect from 23 August 2014. [Applause.]

 

The hon members have made and subscribed to the oath and affirmation in my office, and we welcome the hon members to the House.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICES OF MOTION

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

THE SPEAKER (ANNOUNCEMENT)

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICES OF MOTION

 

Mr M S A MAILA: Hon Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the ANC:

 

That the House debates addressing challenges related to migration, including intergroup conflict, economic marginalisation and the inability to access suitable services.

 

 

Ms D CARTER

 

 

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mr M S MAILA

 

 

 

 

 

Ms D CARTER: Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of Cope:

 

That the House debates the utterances of the hon Minister of Transport and the CEO of the Road Accident Fund,  in respect of the Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill, whilst the deadline of the public participation process has not been concluded.

 

 

 

Mr K J MILEHAM

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Ms D CARTER

 

 

 

 

 

Mr K J MILEHAM: Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the DA:

 

That the House debates the effectiveness of section 139 interventions in addressing the challenges faced by local municipalities in delivering basic services and performing their core functions.

 

 

 

Mr A M SHAIK EMAM

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mr K J MILEHAM

 

 

 

 

 

Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the NFP:

 

That the House deliberates on declaring a day in the South African calendar as “Doctors’ Day” in recognition of their selfless commitment to health care in South Africa.

 

 

 

 

Ms S V KALYAN

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mr A M SHAIK EMAM

 

 

 

 

 

Ms S V KALYAN: Hon Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the DA:

 

That this House debates the Post-2015 Development Goals.

 

 

 

 

Ms H B KEKANA

 

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Ms S V KALYAN

 

 

 

 

 

Ms H B KEKANA: Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the ANC:

 

That the House debates sustainable forest management and its contribution to sustainable development, poverty eradication and the achievement of internationally agreed developmental goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.

 

 

Mr A M MATLHOKO

 

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Ms H B KEKANA

 

 

 

 

 

Mr A M MATLHOKO: Hon Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the EFF:

 

That the House debates the health implications of genetically modified organisms on people and the economy.

 

 

 

 

 

Rev K R J MESHOE

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mr A M MATLHOKO

 

 

 

 

 

Rev K R J MESHOE: Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the ACDP:

 

That the House debates ways that government can effectively implement relevant sections of the Regulation of Gatherings Act, which affords victims effective recourse when a gathering becomes destructive and results in injury, loss of property, or life.

 

 

 

 

Ms N R MASHABELA

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Rev K R J MESHOE

 

 

 

 

 

Ms N R MASHABELA: Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the EFF:

 

That the House debates the conditions of service and remuneration of farm workers.

 

 

 

 

Mr M HLENGWA

 

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Ms N R MASHABELA

 

 

 

 

 

Mr M HLENGWA: Hon Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the IFP:

 

That the House debates the increase in allegations of voter fraud during elections and how this can be tackled.

 

 

 

 

Mr S MOKGALAPA

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mr M HLENGWA

 

 

 

 

 

Mr S MOKGALAPA: Hon Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the DA:

 

That the House debates the escalating global trends of international terrorism and its impact on our national security.

 

 

 

 

Mrs V BAM-MUGWANA

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mr S MOKGALAPA

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs V BAM-MUGWANYA: Hon Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the ANC:

 

That the House debates an integrated approach to address substance and alcohol abuse.

 

 

 

 

Ms E N LOUW

 

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mrs V BAM-MUGWANA

 

 

 

 

 

Ms E N LOUW: Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the EFF:

 

That the House debates the notion that all public representatives use public services.

 

 

 

 

 

Ms B J DLOMO

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Ms E N LOUW

 

 

 

 

 

Ms B J DLOMO: Madam Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the ANC:

 

That the House debates measures taken by government, NGOs, community-based organisations, CBOs, and the private sector in anticipation of flood management.

 

 

 

 

Mr M S F DE FREITAS

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Ms B J DLOMO

 

 

 

 

 

Mr M S F DE FREITAS: Hon Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the DA:

 

That this House debates the functioning and effectiveness of the boards of the various entities that fall within the Department of Transport and consider proposals on how they can perform more effectively.

 

 

 

Mr B D JOSEPH

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mr M S F DE FREITAS

 

 

 

 

 

Mr B D JOSEPH: Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the EFF:

 

That the House debates the pace of land redistribution and targets for realising land access for all.

 

 

 

 

 

Mr S M RALEGOMA

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mr B D JOSEPH

 

 

 

 

 

Mr S M RALEGOMA: Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the ANC:

 

That the House debates measures to overcome hurdles in the development of sport in black communities, which will create conditions for equal competition and opportunities for all South African young people.

 

 

 

 

Mr P G MOTEKA

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mr S M RALEGOMA

 

 

 

 

 

Mr P G MOTEKA: Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the EFF:

 

That the House debates the relationship between mining and earthquakes.

 

 

 

 

Mr D L TWALA

 

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mr P G MOTEKA

 

 

 

 

 

Mr D L TWALA: Hon Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the EFF:

 

That the House debates the possible reinstatement of marketing boards in the agricultural sector based on the impact that they may have had on small-scale farmers as well as subsistence farmers.

 

 

 

Mr W M MADISHA

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mr D L TWALA

 

 

 

 

 

Mr W M MADISHA: Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of Cope:

 

That the House debates how to best utilise all such property of government that has been mothballed for years.

 

 

 

 

 

Rev K R J MESHOE

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 121

Mr W M MADISHA

 

 

 

 

 

Rev K R J MESHOE: Speaker, I give notice that I shall move at the next sitting of the House on behalf of the ACDP:

 

That the House debates the relevance and importance of teaching Christian values, such as respect and tolerance, in our schools to combat the increasing levels of ill-discipline, drug abuse and violence, including stabbings, gangsterism and the rape of innocent children.

 

 

 

 

MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 122

NOTICES OF MOTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE ELECTED SADC CHAIRPERSON

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Hon Speaker, the EFF rises to move without notice:

That the House—

 

  1. notes – because we cannot see how a House that is part of the Southern African Development Community, SADC, cannot note this - and congratulates His Excellency, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe for his election as, SADC chair; his first assignment in that capacity by successfully chairing the recently held SADC summit;

 

  1. furthermore notes President Mugabe’s observation that South Africa’s continued domination by white capital limits its ability to provide leadership in the entire continent. Thank you.

[Applause.]

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Speaker, may I address you?

 

The SPEAKER: Yes.

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: We have now had three sittings of the House and we have discussed the procedure for raising these sorts of motions in the House. They do require notice because matters that are controversial should not be included under this particular item, and that one was not circulated and it is unfair to spring it on parties in this manner.

 

The SPEAKER: Okay, so that one falls off.

The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 122

The SPEAKER

 

 

 

 

 

MEDALS FOR CORPORAL MOLATELO NKOANA AND SUSETTE GATES

(Draft Resolution)

 

The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move without notice:

That the House—

 

  1. notes that on 26 August 2014, Corporal Molatelo Nkoana and a civilian accounting clerk, Susette Gates, received medals in Bloemfontein for going beyond the call of duty in the Battle of Bangui last year;

 

  1. further notes that Nkoana, who led a company of soldiers out of a skirmish, and Gates, who hid millions of rands under clothes even when the enemy surrounded her, have become the first women in the SA National Defence Force to receive medals for bravery;

 

  1. remembers that the two, who were on their first deployment, were thrust into the thick of things when Seleka rebels overran the Central African Republic capital, Bangui, in March last year;

 

  1. recalls that Nkoana, a paratrooper and medic with 7 Medical Battalion, nicknamed the Human Navigator, took charge when they were ambushed by heavily armed rebels, with some of her colleagues severely wounded;

 

  1. further recalls that without maps and unable to use radios because the sound would give away their positions, Nkoana stayed in contact with her commanders via SMSs; and

 

  1. congratulates the two women on their bravery and for bringing honour to their jobs under difficult circumstances. I thank you.

[Applause.]

Agreed to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms A STEYN

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 122

The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

 

 

 

 

FEMALE FARMERS HONOURED

(Draft Resolution)

 

Ms A STEYN: I hereby move on behalf of the DA:

That the House—

 

  1. notes that the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries hosted the annual Female Entrepreneur of the Year Awards at a gala dinner in Mafikeng, North West, on 22 August 2014;

 

  1. further notes that the programme was conceptualised to encourage and increase the participation of women, youth and people living with disabilities in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors;

 

  1. congratulates the following winners: The best female worker in the sector, Hawukile Makhanya from KwaZulu-Natal; the best subsistence producer in the sector, Thandeka Moseki from North West; the top entrepreneur in the smallholder sector, Sandra Kroutz from Gauteng; the top entrepreneur processing in the sector, Anne Ruthford from the Western Cape; the top female entrepreneur in the commercial sector, Mponeng Lentoro from Free State; and the top entrepreneur in the export markets sector, Nokwanele Mzamo from the Eastern Cape, who was also crowned the overall 2014-15 winner;

 

  1. acknowledges that across our continent, female farmers produce an astonishing 70% of the continent’s food, but that their efforts and ability are most often overlooked; and

 

  1. further congratulates the winners and wishes them all the best in their future endeavours.

 

Agreed to.

 

 

 

 

Mr S C MNCWABE

 

 

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Ms A STEYN

 

 

 

 

 

NFP SENDS CONDOLENCES TO STANLEY DLADLA FAMILY

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr S C MNCWABE: On behalf of the NFP, I move without notice:

That the House—

 

  1. conveys its condolences to the wife, children, family and relatives of the late Stanley Dladla, who was popularly known as ``Mgabadeli’’;

 

  1. notes that Stanley Dladla and the hon president of the NFP, Ms V Z KaMagwaza-Msibi, worked very closely together and initiated programmes like the KwaZulu-Natal Local Government Association, Kwanaloga, and taking municipalities to the people and many others;

 

  1. acknowledges that Mgabadeli was a member of the NFP National Working Committee and the NFP organiser in KwaZulu-Natal;

 

  1. further acknowledges that after elections this year, he became the member of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, representing the NFP;

 

  1. recalls that Stanley Dladla was very close to the people and that he was addicted to service delivery and believed strongly in youth development through sport, music and business and initiated a lot of projects in this regard; and

 

  1. further recalls that Mgabadeli will be missed by the NFP as a very loyal and disciplined cadre, a humble and charismatic servant of the people who served the people of Uthukela as the first mayor of this district municipality with humility and dignity. I thank you.

 

Agreed to.

 

 

 

 

Ms D VAN DER WALT

 

 

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 122

Mr S C MNCWABE

 

 

 

 

 

 SIX SA RESEARCHERS RANKED AMONGST TOP ON EARTH

(Draft Resolution)

 

Dr A LOTRIET: I hereby move on behalf of the DA:

That the House—

 

  1. notes that six South African researchers have been ranked by Thomson Reuters to be among the top 3200 most influential researchers on earth;

 

  1. further notes the list consists of researchers who have published the highest number of articles and are the most frequently cited by fellow researchers from around the world;

 

  1. acknowledges the following six researchers whose academic brilliance has been recognised: Prof Guy Midgley from Stellenbosch University, Prof David Richardson from Stellenbosch University, Prof Nicola Mulder and Prof William Bond from the University of Cape Town, Prof Rachel Jewkes and Prof Wadley from the University of Witwatersrand; and

 

  1. congratulates the South African researchers who featured in the report and looks forward to seeing more and more of our researchers and scientists making their mark both locally and internationally. Thank you.

 

[Applause.]

Agreed to.

 

 

 

 

The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

 

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Dr A LOTRIET

 

 

 

 

 

VETERAN PHOTOGRAPHER MIKE MZILENI HONOURED

(Draft Resolution)

 

The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: I move without notice:

That the House—

 

  1. notes that on Saturday, 23 August 2014, the veteran photographer Mike Mzileni was honoured in Newton, Johannesburg;

 

  1. further notes that to honour his work, journalists, academics and politicians gathered at the SAB Miller auditorium to thank him for his contribution;

 

  1. recalls that the 72-year-old was famous in his day for capturing on film a myriad of events whose diverse range of images used to grace the pages of publications including the Rand Daily Mail, Sunday Express, Sunday Times, City Press and Drum Magazine;

 

  1. further recalls that some of Mzileni’s pictures were displayed on the big screen during the proceedings;

 

  1. remembers that Bra Mike, as Mzileni is affectionately called, retired in 2000 from his job as a picture editor at City Press; and

 

  1. congratulates Mr Mzileni on his achievements and wishes him well during his retirement. I thank you.

Agreed to.

 

Ms N V NQWENISO

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 122

The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

 

 

 

 

EARTHQUAKE IN ORKNEY MINING ZONE

(Draft Resolution)

 

Ms N V NQWENISO: On behalf of the EFF, I rise to move without notice:

That the House—

 

  1. notes that the recent earthquake which registered 5,6 on the Richter scale left in its wake one person dead and massive damage to property;

 

  1. further notes that scientific observation has indicated that the centre of the seismic activity was concentrated in the Orkney mining zone, and that local scientists admit the contribution of mining activity as a trigger of earthquakes; and

 

  1. invites independent scientists to advise on the relationship between mining and earthquakes.

 

Agreed to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr B A RADEBE

 

 

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 122

Ms N V NQWENISO

 

 

 

 

 

SIR RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH PASSES ON

(Draft Resolution)

 

Mr B A RADEBE: I move on behalf of the Chief Whip of the Majority Party:

That the House-

 

  1. notes with great sadness the news of the passing on of British actor and film director, Sir Richard Attenborough, who died on Sunday 24 August 2014, at the age of 90;

 

  1. recalls that in April 2014, the late Sir Richard Attenborough was awarded the national Order of the Companions of O R Tambo at the National Orders ceremony;

 

  1. remembers that he won eight Oscar Awards for the 1982 classic film Gandhi, including that of best director;

 

  1. further remembers that he also directed and produced Cry Freedom, a film about the death of South African anti-apartheid campaigner and Black Consciousness leader, Steve Biko;

 

  1. acknowledges the distinguished film-maker’s significant contribution to our struggle and history through his work, and conveys its condolences to the family and friends of Sir Richard Attenborough. I thank you.

[Applause.]

Agreed to.

 

The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

 

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 122

Mr B A RADEBE

 

 

 

 

 

PRECEDENCE GIVEN TO STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF FINANCE ON RETIREMENT FUND NOTWITHSTANDING RULE 29

(Draft Resolution)

 

The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY (on behalf of the Chief Whip of the Majority Party): Hon Speaker, I move:

          That the House, notwithstanding Rule 29 which provides for the sequence of proceedings, gives precedence to the executive statement by the Minister of Finance on retirement fund rumours before Members’ Statements on Thursday, 4 September 2014.

 

Agreed to.

MEMBER STATEMENTS

 

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The SPEAKER

 

 

 

 

 

OPENING OF SEXUAL OFFENCES COURT IN BETHLEHEM

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr T R J E RAMOKHOASE (ANC): Hon Speaker, the ANC welcomes the opening of the sexual offences court in Bethlehem. Our 22nd sexual offences court in the country was recently opened in Bethlehem, in the Free State province. This dedicated court is located at the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court and is equipped to provide specialised victim-support services, improve the effectiveness of sexual offences matters and improve conviction rates, as well as strengthen the fight against sexual violence in the country, especially violence against women, children and persons with disabilities.

 

The ANC’s consistent stand and fight against violence against women and children continues unabated. We believe that the new dedicated sexual offences court in Bethlehem in the Free State will provide much-needed protection to a large number of victims and survivors of sexual crimes in the area.

 

The ANC government does not pay lip service when it comes to protecting the rights of vulnerable members of society, but tangibly demonstrates its commitment to fighting this scourge, and this will remain one of our priorities for the next five years. We are also delighted that 57 regional courts will be converted into sexual offences courts during 2015-16. I thank you.

 

 

 

 

Mr M A MAIMANE

 

 

 

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 123

Mr T J RAMOKHOASE

 

 

 

 

 

 

DA WINS INFAMOUS SPY TAPES JUDGMENT

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr M A MAIMANE (DA): Speaker, the DA welcomes the Supreme Court of Appeal’s judgment last week which upheld the previous High Court judgment, and ordered the National Prosecuting Authority to hand over the infamous spy tapes to the DA by Thursday. [Applause.]

 

This is a victory for accountability, democratic institutions and for the DA in holding President Jacob Zuma to account. After five-and-a half years in court and six court applications which the President opposed, South Africa will now find out the real reasons why the 783 charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering faced by President Zuma were dropped on 6 April 2009.

 

The lesson we can take out of this is that, in the process of holding the executive to account, strong constitutional institutions and the rule of law are far more effective than ``big man’’ politics. All in South Africa are equal before the law and, where there is a case to be answered, the President must get what he’s always asked for: his day in a criminal court. Thank you. [Applause.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr N P KHOZA

 

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 123

Mr M A MAIMANE

 

 

 

 

EFF CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON PUBLIC PROTECTOR

(Member’s Statement)

Mr N P KHOZA (EFF): Hon Speaker, as the EFF we strongly condemn the attacks on the Public Protector by the ANC, the SA Communist Party, SACP, the Umkhonto WeSizwe Military Veterans Association,  MKVA, and the ANC Youth League. The attacks on the Public Protector and other Chapter 9 institutions are antidemocratic. We also dismiss the lie that the EFF is working with the Public Protector for some dubious reasons as cheap politicking by the ANC. The South African public should know them for who they are - haters of democracy.

 

The Public Protector’s commitment to protect the public and the Constitution of the country is indeed appreciated. As the EFF, we were not surprised when she was listed by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. This accolade is indeed proper and relevant. We believe that we must hold those who are in power accountable, especially in a democracy such as ours. We should insist on good governance for a better country. We should not allow those who are involved in corrupt activities to get away with murder.

 

In recent times, the Public Protector has endured insults and name calling by those who seek to reverse the gains of democracy in this country. There are those in society who think that their leaders are untouchable and beyond reproach. Scandals like Nkandla and others should not be accepted and tolerated. They feel that their political careers depend solely on these leaders, and that ultimately creates what is called the cult of personality.

 

As the EFF, we urge all members of society and other progressive forces to support and defend the Office of the Public Protector. We owe it to ourselves as a society to make sure that our democracy is entrenched, as our attainment of democracy did not come cheap. [Time expired.] [Applause.]

Ms N K BILANKULU

 

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 123

Mr N P KHOZA

 

 

 

 

 

SAPS COMMENDED FOR ARRESTING THREE RAPE SUSPECTS

(Member’s Statement)

 

Ms S MCHUNU (ANC): Madam Speaker, as the ANC we are saying that the police must be commended for their good work in quickly and swiftly apprehending the three suspects in connection with the rape, robbery and murder of an 83-year-old pensioner, Ms Mojaji Sebyene from Sereni village in Limpopo. The three suspects, aged between 24 and 29, were arrested by police on Tuesday, 19 August 2014, and appeared in the Tiyani Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 20 August 2014.

 

It is two days after the month when we celebrate the women of this country. The increase in statistics of women victims due to crime and sexual violence is heartbreaking. The ANC reiterates its condemnation of violence and rape perpetrated against vulnerable groups such as women, the elderly, children and people with disabilities.

 

As the ANC, we pledge to continue confronting the challenge of violence against women and children, and to ensure that our programmes are directed at creating a safe and secure society. We therefore also call on civil society and communities to work together with the police to ensure that all South Africans feel free and safe in their homes, communities and at work, without fear of being raped, murdered or mugged. I thank you. [Applause.]

 

 

 

 

Mr K P SITHOLE

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 123

Ms N K BILANKULU

 

 

 

 

 

VIOLENT TAXI DRIVER PROTESTS IN NYANGA

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr K P SITHOLE (IFP): Hon Speaker, recently in Nyanga, buses were set alight in apparent protests by taxi drivers, due to the perceived threat that buses pose to taxi revenues. Other reasons have also been given, such as the drastic increase in traffic fines and disputes between taxi drivers and operators.

 

No matter the central complaint, it is unacceptable that these protesters not only burnt buses, but also endangered the lives of the drivers, passengers and even the community at large. Eleven bus drivers are said to have been pulled from their buses and assaulted. Even delivery truck drivers were attacked and forced to abandon their vehicles. This type of behavior cannot be tolerated and will not ensure that the grievances of these drivers are met.

 

A taxi driver was killed on his way to work. How can this be justified as a legitimate way to ensure that grievances are heard? People’s lives should not be put at risk just to prove a point. These actions do more harm than good. Commuters have a democratic right to choose the mode of transportation they want to use and not be at the mercy of taxi drivers.

 

As the IFP, we support any measure taken by the provincial government that will ensure that our people have access to affordable transportation. No excuse for such violence should be tolerated. Taxi drivers cannot expect to operate with impunity on our roads. Taxi owners must also engage their drivers in talks and reach agreements on salaries, as well as how to deal with traffic fines. There is no excuse that can justify the loss of lives during protest action. I thank you.

 

Mr M S MABIKA

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 123

Mr K P SITHOLE

 

 

 

 

 

KURUMAN SERVICE DELIVERY PROTESTS

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr M S MABIKA (NFP): Speaker, the NFP commends the Minister of Basic Education for her quick intervention in Kuruman where roads have been blocked by learners and parents.

 

However, we believe these road blockages should teach us the lesson that people are becoming impatient in waiting for services to be delivered to them, as these blockages are now taking place everywhere in the country. They started in urban areas and they are now moving with speed to rural areas. People want what they were promised: water, roads, electricity and houses, to mention just a few. They do not want to wait anymore. So, if something more is not done now, this country will soon be faced with a service-delivery revolution as these blockage protests are violent. Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr E M NCHABELENG

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 123

Mr M S MABIKA

 

 

 

 

 

FORMATION OF WATER TASK TEAM A GREAT DEVELOPMENT

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr M E NCHABELENG (ANC): Speaker, the appointment of a task team by the ANC government to resolve all water-related problems around Giyani in Limpopo is a positive development. The task team has been given strict conditions and tight timeframes to ensure that the water supply in the Greater Giyani area is back on track, and that all the affected communities have access to quality water by the end of September 2014. The government has also promised to do an audit of all water resources, including boreholes in the area, with a view to improving and upgrading them. This will ensure sustainable water provision, so that the water challenges facing communities around Giyani do not reoccur.

 

The ANC is moving forward with its vision of ensuring that people have access to clean and quality water, which is why it is committed to further investing in water service infrastructure. We will replace ageing infrastructure, improve operation and maintenance at municipal level and create the required capacity to manage the water infrastructure. We also welcome the commitment by government to visit the area in the second week of September to check on the progress of the work done with regards to water provision. I thank you. [Applause.]

 

 

 

 

Ms D CARTER

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 123

Mr E M NCHABELENG

 

 

 

 

 

COPE QUESTIONS PRESIDENT’S ZUMA LEADERSHIP

(Member’s Statement)

 

Ms D CARTER (Cope): Speaker, in November 1996 President Zuma, the then ANC chairman, was called to speak to delegates of the ANC in Durban, to ease dissatisfaction about the party’s removal of hon Lekota as the Premier of the Free State. As premier, hon Lekota had exercised his constitutional prerogative to remove MECs. The media reported that President Zuma told delegates that, ``Once you begin to feel you are above the ANC, you are in trouble’’”, before also stating, ``more important than the Constitution.’’

 

In 2007, President Zuma also addressed a gathering in Lusikisiki, and he stated, ``I said then that the ANC is more important than even the Constitution of this country.’’

 

Responding at the time, hon Lekota said, that if a statement was to be a guiding light for the ANC, then South Africa was heading down the wrong route. What we have fought for and what we are expected to have fought for would have been in vain. Under the leadership of President Zuma, the evidence mounts as to how the very foundation of our existence as a nation has been undermined.

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, if you want to deal with something you are unhappy about with regards to the President, this is not the way to do it. You do not use member statements for that. You don’t. [Interjections.]

 

Ms D CARTER: As the Nkandla and spy tape scandals come to an end...

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, you don’t use a member statement to criticise a member of the executive.

 

Ms D CARTER: Thank you, Speaker. In conclusion, ...

 

The SPEAKER: You do it through a substantive motion which is well researched and properly laid out, and then brought to the House. That is how you do it.

 

Ms D CARTER: Thank you, Speaker. In conclusion, ...

 

The SPEAKER: Don’t conclude!

 

Ms D CARTER: ... as the Nkandla and spy tape scandals come to an end ... [Interjections.] ...

 

The SPEAKER: Don’t conclude! Don’t conclude, hon member!

 

Ms D CARTER: ... Cope will play its role in ensuring the supremacy of our Constitution. [Interjections.]

 

The SPEAKER: Don’t conclude, hon member!

 

Ms D CARTER: I thank you. [Interjections.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr P M MAPULANE

Ms D CARTER

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 124

 

 

 

 

NORTH WEST CLINICS TO EXTEND WORKING HOURS

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr M P MAPULANE (ANC): The ANC in the North West province has revised its policy regarding the operating hours of clinics to cope with the amount of patients seeking treatment.

Already nine community health centres have extended their operating hours from 12 to 24 hours, whilst others like Ramokoka, Moruleng, Mahikeng Gateway, Lonely Park, Setlopo, Iketleng, Magogwe, Rapulana, Tsetse, Bakhubung, Modderkuil and Koedoesrand clinics have extended their services from eight to 12 hours daily.

In total, 126 community service professionals and nurses will be allocated to needy areas to cater for the extended hours of service by the third quarter of 2014-15.

As a priority area of service delivery for the ANC, this effort will make health care services more available to the people of North West and improve overall health care for all.

We are thus enforcing our policy assertion which is geared at introducing a patient-centered approach in the delivery of health services by aggressively reducing the time patients have to wait to receive services and medication, as well as improving the quality of public health services. This initiative should be emulated as standard operating procedure for all clinics and health centres in rural communities and needy urban communities.

I thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr M S F DE FREITAS (DA)

 

 

 

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 124

Mr M P MAPULANE (ANC)

 

 

 

 

 

ADVISORY PANEL ON SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT OF E-TOLLS

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr M S F DE FREITAS (DA): Hon Speaker, the advisory panel on the socioeconomic impact of e-tolls established by the Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura, in July 2014, has started its month-long public consultation with organizations and individuals.

 

This consultation process aims to solicit views on the economic, social and environmental impacts of the Gauteng freeway improvement projects, GFIP, and e-tolls. The panel will explore the implications and perceptions of financing the GFIP from the fiscus, taking into account other demands on the fiscus.

 

The report of the panel to the Premier, at the end of November, will be in the form of an analysis and recommendations based on consultations and research undertaken by that panel. Stakeholders, such as the City of Johannesburg, have already delivered a damning assessment of the e-toll system in its submission. In its submission, the city has suggested that the e-tolls will diminish the emerging middle class, the cornerstone of future growth in job creation, and dampen its economic impact on the city.

 

With organisations now uniformly moving against the e-tolls, and considering that this function  falls under the national sphere of government, the Minister needs to come clean with South Africa and confirm that she will seriously consider the mounting opposition that will come from this panel and review the e-tolls matter, as this falls within the Minister’s competence and not Premier Makhura’s. Thank you.

 

 

 

Ms D RAPHUTHI (ANC)

 

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 124

Mr M S F DE FREITAS (DA)

 

 

 

 

 

SENTENCING OF HOME AFFAIRS OFFICIAL

(Member’s Statement)

 

Ms D RAPHUTI (ANC): Madam Speaker, the ANC welcomes the sentencing of the Home Affairs official. The conviction and sentence handed to Sanele Zungu, a former senior admin officer at the Department of Home Affairs, Melmoth local office in KwaZulu-Natal, demonstrates the ANC’s commitment to rooting out corruption in our Public Service.

Zungu, who was arrested following a joint sting operation by the SA Police Service and Home Affairs investigators, was subsequently found guilty of selling birth certificates, and was sentenced to six years imprisonment at the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court on 14 August 2014.

This conviction and sentencing of Zungu should send a message that corruption and fraud will not be tolerated. We acknowledge that corruption is a broad societal problem prevalent in both the public and private sectors, requiring the commitment of all citizens in society to deal decisively with this scourge. We appreciate the support and involvement of the SAPS anticorruption unit of KwaZulu-Natal in our endeavours to curb corrupt practices in our work environment.

 

The ANC appeals to members of the public to continue to report fraud and corruption to the relevant authorities relating to the services provided by Home Affairs and other government departments. We are saying, as the ANC, that there is zero tolerance for corruption. [Time expired.] [Interjections.]

The SPEAKER: Vala!

 

 

 

Mr M A PLOUAMMA (Agang)

 

 

 

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 124

Ms D RAPHUTI (ANC)

 

 

 

 

 

AGANG CONDEMNS RECENT BEHAVIOR OF EFF IN PARLIAMENT

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr M A PLOUAMMA (Agang): Madam Speaker, the cornerstone of our democracy is the rule of law, including the laws and Rules pertaining to the business of this House. Anyone who fails to observe the Rules of this House is toying with the foundation of our democracy. As much as the calls for hon President Zuma to answer questions regarding Nkandla are justified, Agang condemns the behavior of the EFF recently in this House. [Interjections.]

 

The EFF Members of Parliament need to remind themselves that  ...[Interjections.]

 

The SPEAKER: Hon member, you have ways of talking to the EFF.

 

Mr M A PLOUAMMA: Let me finish.

The SPEAKER: No, no do not finish, because you must not do what you are doing.

 

Mr M A PLOUAMMA: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr B RADEBE (ANC)

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 124

Mr M A PLOUAMMA (Agang SA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

SA’S MEDIATION IN KINGDOM OF LESOTHO

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr B A RADEBE (ANC): Hon Speaker, the ANC welcomes the intervention by the Southern African Development Community, SADC, led by its chairperson on the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, following the recent political and insecurity developments in the Kingdom of Lesotho. We welcome the mediation in the political and security situation in the Kingdom of Lesotho, on which the leaders of the coalition government highlighted that the political and security situation had deteriorated to such an extent that immediate intervention and support from SADC was needed.

As the ANC in Parliament we support the roadmap which is in line with the Windhoek Declaration in which the leaders of the coalition government committed to work together to restore political normalcy, stability, law and order, peace and security in the kingdom.

 

The ANC condemns any attempted seizure of power through unconstitutional means, and calls for peace in the kingdom.  We trust that this process will be respected by all the parties in the interest of the citizens of the Kingdom of Lesotho. Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Z N MBHELE (DA)

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 124

Mr B RADEBE (ANC)

 

 

 

 

 

REPORT OF KHAYELITSHA COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

(Member’s Statement)

 

Mr Z N MBHELE (DA): Hon Speaker, the DA welcomes the completion of the work of the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry into policing and the finalisation of its report last week containing findings and recommendations for achieving improved and effective policing in Khayelitsha.

 

The work of the commission represents a pioneering step in strengthening police in oversight through the powers given to provinces in section 206 of the Constitution. The findings in the report contain valuable analysis that presents opportunities for new approaches to police work and for partnerships between different role-players to eliminate the scourge of vigilantism plaguing the area and to restore public confidence and trust in the police.

 

While the scope of the commission’s work was local and its recommendations are aimed at the provincial SA Police Service, SAPS, Western Cape government and Cape Town metro police, many of the concerns raised by the Khayelitsha residents are shared by other communities. The insights gained during the commission’s investigations can potentially make a positive impact on government policy and programmes for increasing safety and improving policing across the rest of the country in future.

 

In accordance with the stated commitment to implementing the National Development Plan in the SAPS, we strongly urge the Minister of Police to drive the needed operational changes and pursue productive collaboration with relevant stakeholders as recommended in the commission report in order to ensure safer communities in Khayelitsha and the rest of South Africa. Thank you.

 

Ms N A MNISI (ANC)

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

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Mr Z N MBHELE (DA)

 

 

 

 

 

SAHRC PROBES `BLACKFACE’ STUDENTS

(Member’s Statement)

 

Ms N A MNISI (ANC): The ANC is interested in the final outcome of the case involving two white students from the University of Pretoria who were photographed last month in domestic workers’ outfits with their faces and arms smeared with black paint. The picture of those two students, which was taken at a private 21st birthday party, is regarded as racist and discriminating even by the university itself, which accused them of bringing its name into disrepute.

 

The two students, who posed with headscarves and padded bottoms meant to symbolise black women, were temporarily suspended from the campus residence by the university, pending a full disciplinary investigation. However, they were allowed to attend classes as the investigation is on-going.

As the ANC we find this kind of behavior by the students unacceptable, and shows their insensitivity to black suffering. The punishment by the university in suspending them from the residence but allowing them to attend classes is considered very lenient. However, we take solace in knowing that the SA Human Rights Commission showed interest and is closely monitoring the case. According to the commission, as part of the investigation, they requested a full report of the disciplinary process and are interested in the measures to be implemented by the university to address the matter and its significance to other learners at a broader level. I thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

 

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Ms N A MNISI (ANC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERVICE DELIVERY PROTESTS

(Minister’s Response)

 

The MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: Hon Speaker, we appreciate the congratulatory message from the IFP member to the Minister of Basic Education on taking action in the matter of the Northern Cape.

 

However, I would like to indicate to the hon member that this country is not faced with an imminent service delivery revolution through violent protests, because the government is working very hard to meet service accessibility and availability. Any perusal ... [Interjections.]  If you will please protect me, Madam Speaker. We listen to each one of them as they ...

 

The SPEAKER: Hon members, please listen to the Minister!

 

The MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: ... Any perusal of the 20-year report that we produced of this government will attest to this. Communities have a right to protest, and that is guaranteed in the Constitution. However, that right to protest has to be a responsible right to protest.

 

I would have expected a member such as yourself would have pointed out the very perturbing nature of some of the protests, the violence in the protests. We understand that people will have grievances and will find ways of voicing their grievances. Each one of us here must take every opportunity to condemn the violence that is normally associated with these protests. Every Member of Parliament here is a responsible member of our society.

 

The destruction of property is unacceptable whether it is the burning of libraries, burning of science laboratories or the burning of trains. It is completely unacceptable. And please, hon member, make sure that this is a message that all of us send to our communities. Thank you very much.

 

Mr M HLENGWA: Madam Speaker, may I address you please?

 

The SPEAKER: On what? We are now taking Ministerial responses.

 

Mr M HLENGWA: Hon Speaker, I just want to make a correction. The statement the Minister was referring to was raised by the NFP and not the IFP. Thank you.

 

The SPEAKER: Oh! It was raised by the NFP member.

 

The MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: I take note of that, Madam Speaker.

The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS:

 

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ATTACKS ON PUBLIC PROTECTOR BY ANC

(Minister’s Response)

 

The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Hon Speaker, the ANC and government are certainly very happy that the DA finally recognises that all in South Africa are equal before the law. This is a struggle we fought for. The Constitution is one we gave life to and thus, we do believe that freedom has given us this particular position. We are happy that it is finally accepted and recognised by many who had no interest in all enjoying equality before the law in this country, particularly the hon member who shouts the loudest at the back over there.

 

We also believe that all parties have a right to comment on any public matter as they wish and the ANC’s leadership is able to make comments as it wishes to do. It enjoys the freedom of expression that all of us hold so high.

 

We would say, as the ANC, that all reports of the Public Protector should be scrutinised and commented upon, including various companies that some of us who are members in this House were members of, reports which were submitted to various legislatures and which should certainly be looked at. We recall so well the DA’s objection to the Public Protector’s report and how quickly it was changed following their objection, and other reports of other members who are members of this House which have not yet been acted upon. So certainly, all of us should respect the Public Protector but such respect should be as equals, as we are equal before the law. I thank you. [Applause.]

 

The SPEAKER: I need more Ministerial responses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF POLICE

The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

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SEXUAL OFFENCES COURTS

(Minister‘s Response)

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF POLICE: Speaker, the reopening of sexual offences courts was a good move by the ANC-led government, as you know that crime against women and children is one of our government’s priorities. I hope that the member who spoke about this will be happy to learn that, for this financial year, a female warrant detective, Ree Nel from the Free State, received an award for this financial year as the best investigator for securing 13 life sentences for men raping women and children. I thank you very much. [Applause.]

 

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION:

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF POLICE

 

 
 

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MEDIATION OF PRESIDENT IN POLITICAL SITUATION IN LESOTHO

(Minister’s Response)

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION (Mr L T Landers): Madam Speaker, I wish to respond to the hon Bheki Radebe’s statement on Lesotho. We welcome the statement by the ANC and the hon Bheki Radebe. The successful mediation by the hon President in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community, SADC’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation is proof of the strategic importance of the collective that comprises SADC.

 

Speaker, any coup or seizure of power is anathema to the African Union. We trust that this process that has been agreed to by the leading role-players in Lesotho will be respected by all parties in the interest of the citizens of the Kingdom of Lesotho. Thank you.

 

The SPEAKER: Any more Ministerial responses?

IsiXhosa:

Ndithetha ngawe! Zokwana.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

 

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ACCOLADES FROM A MEMBER OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE

(Minister’s Response)

 

The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Madam Speaker, I am standing to acknowledge the accolades from a member of the portfolio committee I am sitting in, Anne Steyn, on the successful awards ceremony for women. I believing that that is the way we are going to work together to ensure that, where praise is due, it is given without reservation. Thank you very much.

 

The SPEAKER: Are there any more Ministerial responses? There are none. 

 

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Hon Speaker, can I address you?

 

The SPEAKER: No, you are not a Minister. [Laughter.] I am looking for Ministerial responses. I’m only looking for Ministers.

 

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Not yet, Speaker?

 

The SPEAKER: Not yet, indeed. Hon members, that ...

 

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Hon Speaker, before we proceed, can I address you? I need guidance too.

 

The SPEAKER: No, you don’t need any guidance because you are not a Minister. Right now, I want Ministers and if there are none who want to make responses, then we need to conclude that section of the business and move to the first Order of the day. I see hon Mthembu is waiting anxiously to address the House.

MINISTERIAL RESPONSES

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 126

The SPEAKER

 

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT BILL

(Consideration of Report of Mediation Committee)

 

Mr J M MTHEMBU: Speaker, this piece of legislation is an amendment to the 2008 integrated coastal management act. It seeks to further elaborate on the provisions related to the ownership of the beach and the sea, which is called coastal public property; secondly, it seeks to make improvements to the processes for any application for reclamation of land from the sea and, thirdly, it seeks to make improvements to the appointment procedures for members of the National Coastal Committee.

 

As the House would know, this piece of legislation served before the fourth democratic Parliament’s relevant National Assembly and the NCOP committees. Indeed, there were some areas of disagreement between the two Houses and this matter was then referred to a mediation committee. After the process of the mediation committee was concluded, the NCOP approved this piece of legislation. The only House that was then left to approve the mediated version of this piece of legislation was this House. I therefore move that this House, given this little history, approve this piece of legislation.

 

By the way, the only area of contestation between the two Houses was: When the authority lies with the state for any land reclaimed from the sea, how then can other people who would like to make use of that land access it? The mediation team dealt with the question of leases. So, those who want to use the land reclaimed from the sea and that is lying with the state can then apply to the relevant Minister - the Minister of Environmental Affairs - for the use of such land. Basically, that was the only area of contestation but it is has since been agreed upon.

 

I therefore move that this House approve this piece of legislation. Thank you very much. [Applause.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms J STEENKAMP

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 126

Mr J M MTHEMBU

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms J STEENKAMP: Chairperson, everyone, including future generations, has the constitutional right to have the coastal environment protected. The integrated management of our coastal zones is essential to achieving this constitutional obligation.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Steenkamp, I am sorry for disturbing you. Can you take your seat for a while. [Interjections.] Okay, you can go back to your seat. I am sorry that we went beyond where we are supposed to go. I thought we were already on the debate. Pardon us about that.

 

Hon Mthembu has given a statement on the Bill and I will now recognise the hon Chief Whip of the Majority Party.

 

There was no debate.

 

The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Chairperson, I move that the Bill be passed.

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Chairperson, the DA requests to make a declaration on this matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms J STEENKAMP

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 126

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION

 

 

 

 

 

Declarations of vote:

Ms J STEENKAMP: Chairperson, everyone, including future generations, has the constitutional right to have the coastal environment protected. The integrated management of our coastal zones is essential to achieving this constitutional obligation. Much of the natural heritage of our coastal zone is being wasted by overuse, degradation, and inappropriate management. As such, the conservation and sustainable use of the coastal region requires the establishment of an innovative, legal and institutional framework that clearly defines the status of our coastal land and water and the respective roles of the public, the state and other users of the coastal zone.

 

There is currently a worldwide trend that promotes the notion of integrated coastal management in the coastal states. In order to achieve this integrated coastal management, it is important to concentrate on area planning, promotion of economic development, stewardship of resources, conflict resolution and the protection of public safety and proprietorship of public submerged land and water. The Bill focuses on these key areas.

 

The purpose of this Bill is to ensure that the coastal public property does not have a negative impact on the ownership of assets and operations of other organs of state as well as promoting the use of defensible scientific information in conjunction with the principles of co-operative governance in order to succeed in developing the coastal areas of South Africa in a sustainable manner.

 

The integrated coastal management amendment Bill promotes the protection of state land with regards to coastal property, ensuring the conservation of the coastal environment, supporting ecologically, socially and economically sustainable development and resource use as well as determining the rights and responsibilities of the organs of state with regards to the management of coastal land.

 

As such the DA supports this Bill. We urge this House to do the right thing and accept the Bill. Thank you. [Applause.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr J A MNGXITAMA

 

Ms J STEENKAMP

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr J A MNGXITAMA: Chairperson, firstly, it is important to note that, as new members of this Parliament, we are not going to surrender our right to make laws to a party that belongs to the previous Parliament which did not make one single law that defends the interests of our people.

 

We know, and we have been told by communities that live in coastal areas, that access to the coast and access to the sea remains a major problem. Now we are told that, through this Bill that is before the House, somehow, our people are going to benefit. The process was concluded by the previous Parliament and we must therefore just come into this House and adopt the Bill. We can’t do that. We object and our objection must be recorded. Thanks. [Applause.]

 

Motion agreed to.

 

Bill accordingly passed (Economic Freedom Fighters dissenting).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms L E YENGENI

 

Mr J A MNGXITAMA

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 127

 

 

 

 

 

"National Assembly Chamber Main",Unrevised Hansard,02 Sept 2014,"[Take-127] [National Assembly Chamber Main][NAC-Logger][ct].doc"

 

CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR APPROVAL BY PARLIAMENT OF ADOPTION OF AN AUTONOMOUS RECOMMENDATION ON THE SOCIAL PROTECTION FLOOR BY THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION IN TERMS OF SECTION 231(2) OF CONSTITUTION

 

Ms L E YENGENI: Parliament needs to note the convention in order to allow other participating states to be on board because there is no uniformity in terms of application of the convention by the various member countries. South Africa is advanced in terms of implementation, it already has grants for the elderly, provides protection for vulnerable workers and people with disabilities and compensation fund for injuries at work.

 

South Africa has established labour activation programmes like Productivity SA, which assist small business in distress and the implementation of social security convention is better than in most countries. The Department of Health and the Department of Social Development are also part of social security.

 

I move that the report be adopted. Thank you. [Applause.]

 

There was no debate.

 

Autonomous Recommendation on the Social Protection Floor by the International Labour Organisation approved.           

 

 

 

 

THIRD ORDER

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 127

SECOND ORDER

 

 

 

 

 

CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR APPROVAL BY PARLIAMENT OF INSTRUMENT FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO) 1986 IN TERMS OF SECTION 231(2) OF CONSTITUTION

 

Ms L E YENGENI: Chairperson, the Portfolio Committee on Labour, having considered the request for approval by Parliament of the 1986 Instrument for the Amendment of the Constitution of the International Labour Organisation, ILO, referred to it in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, recommends that the House approves the said convention.

 

Currently there are 185 member states of which two-thirds, which are 124, is required for the ratification. The two-thirds must include five of the ten countries of chief industrial importance. By February 2014, already 102 ratifications had been received, with only two ratifications from countries of chief industrial importance, namely, Italy and India. This means that a further 22 ratifications are required with three more from countries of chief industrial importance.

 

In South Africa ratifications have already been approved by the National Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac, the Adecco Recruitment Agency and the Cabinet. The Secretariat of African Union is encouraging all countries in the continent to ratify.

 

Amending the Constitution of the International Labour Organisation will reduce monopoly by permanent countries. The proposal of the amendment is that numbers should be increased from 56 to 112. For instance, in Africa we have four regions and one representative per region. The amendment proposes 12 to 15 representatives per continent, and those will be chosen on the basis of the population size and gross domestic product, GDP. Also, the contribution to ILO will be the determining factor, meaning that the more you contribute to the ILO, the more the chances. Lastly, the amendment of the ILO Constitution will have no financial implications for South Africa. I thank you. [Applause.]

 

There was no debate.

 

Instrument for the Amendment of the Constitution of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) 1986 approved.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): The last item on the Order Paper is the subject for discussion, in the name of the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, on rhino poaching and its impact on our heritage.

 

Hon members, I have been informed that the hon Mthembu will take charge of the motion in terms of National Assembly Rule 79.

 

 

Mr J M MTHEMBU

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto)

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 128

 

 

 

 

 

 

RHINO POACHING AND ITS IMPACT ON OUR HERITAGE

(Subject for Discussion)

 

Mr J M MTHEMBU: Hon House Chair, let us first thank Parliament for allowing this very important debate on a matter that not only threatens our heritage, but also threatens our very security as a country and as a people. We debate a matter that also threatens our tourism industry and the jobs that we have in our game parks and surrounding areas. The matter is of national importance that speaks to the conservation and protection of our heritage, including the question of rhino poaching and, in my book, rhino killing in our country.

 

In 1895, there were 50 rhino in South Africa, the continent and the World. Through our good conservation practices, we increased the rhino population to over 25 000 in Africa and all over the world. Of the 25 000 world rhino population, over 21 000 are found here in our country and that accounts for more than 90% of the continent’s and world’s rhino population, according to the 2012 survey. This is an attestation to our conservation efforts over the years that have not only served our country and our continent, but the entire world community. We must thank our conservation pioneers for this sterling work.

 

This progress has been acknowledged and appreciated by the international community, through giving us the honour, as a country, to host the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2000 and the 17th Conference of the Parties, COP17, within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2011. Even the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Europe, in its first report on South Africa, regarding matters of the environment, acknowledged and spoke glowingly about the work we have done in our biodiversity, our natural ecosystems and the broad sustainable conservation and protection of our heritage.

Our conservation efforts and our well-earned reputation in this regard are being reversed and negated by international crime syndicates that are well moneyed and well resourced who, since 2006 to date, have killed and poached over 3 400 rhinos, mainly for their horns. Last year alone, over a 1 000 rhinos were killed and that was the highest number year on year. This year, 2014, the number of rhinos killed thus far exceeds 700 and the number is rising. We cannot allow this as a people and as a country. We have a duty and an obligation to defend and protect this heritage.

 

We are told that our rhinos are being killed by these international crime syndicates because there is a market for the rhino horn in some consuming countries that are mainly located in East Asia. We are also told that, in those countries, to possess a rhino horn is a serious status symbol. Uyisikhokho uma unophondo lukabhejane. [You are the man, if you posses a rhino horn.] There is also a myth which accompanies this, that obtains in those countries, that the rhino horn enhances the performance of men in the bedroom. [Interjections.]

 

Whether we agree with this or not, the reality is that our rhinos are being killed. We all have a duty to spare the rhino for present and future generations. It will be a sad day and an indictment on all of us if the rhinos were to be killed and become extinct. The time to act to save the rhino is now and the responsibility falls on all our broad shoulders, irrespective of our political persuasion.

 

We appreciate and acknowledge the efforts and antipoaching measures our government has put in place. Those measures include, as we all know, the increase in the number of game rangers in our parks. They also include the co-ordinated efforts between various departments, including our security agencies, to deal with this scourge. They also include the memoranda of understanding that have been signed with consumer countries. Despite these efforts, the poaching and killing of our rhinos continues.

 

We also acknowledge the arrest of some members of these crime syndicates and the heavy sentences they have received from our courts

 

                

. Unfortunately, only foot soldiers and runners- those who do the killing and hacking of the rhino - have been arrested. We need to bring the masterminds, funders and kingpins of these rhino poaching syndicates to book. No matter where they are - we are told that many of them are abroad - we need to bring them here, working together with the International Criminal Police Organisation, Interpol, so that they can answer for these dastardly deeds. [Applause.]

 

 

We believe that there is more that can be done, again by our government, in terms of intelligence gathering to make the arrest of these syndicates’ masterminds possible. We also believe there is a strong need to strengthen security in our points of entry and exit. These are the points from which the rhino horns get to these consumer countries. They pass these ports of exit and get to where they are consumed. We need to do more.

 

In the public hearings that we are currently holding on rhino poaching, climate change and sustainable development goals, last week, in KwaZulu-Natal, citizens of this country made a proposition that we need to perhaps legalise the sale of rhino horns by the state. They argued that there is a market out there. We are aware that the trade on endangered species is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Our people also added that another mechanism that government should embark on is to strengthen the relationship between our game parks and nearby communities.

 

The citizens of this country further argued that ownership of our communities for some parts of this heritage, including rhinos, would go a long way in their conservation and protection.

 

There were further suggestions that we as Parliament, working together with the relevant departments, including the Department of Environmental Affairs, should go out to communities and inform them about these matters so that the matters of environmental protection, including that of the killing of the rhino, become societal.

 

In this regard, the public hearings by the portfolio committee are making a humble contribution. We agree that the protection and conservation of our heritage must involve, in a massive way, our communities and our children. We therefore need to find a way of working with the Department of Basic Education to mobilise and take this information to our schools.

 

We are also of the view that this democratic Parliament of the Republic should engage with other parliamentarians in consumer countries on the matter of rhino poaching and the negative impact thereof. This will complement the memoranda of understanding that our government has signed with the government of those countries. We will take the opportunity afforded by the meeting of world parliamentarians in Lima, Peru, later this year, to raise this matter. Of course, that meeting will be about climate change, but we will not miss an opportunity to engage on this important matter that affects our country.

 

As we end, let us again appeal to all South Africans, all nongovernmental organisations, all communities living side-by-side to our game parks, all those who work in our game parks, including our game rangers, our national and provincial departments, our municipalities, private owners of game parks, our children, in and out of schools, to work together to save our rhino and protect our heritage. On our part as the portfolio committee, we will continue to raise this matter with our communities through the public hearings that are planned this coming Friday and Saturday in Mpumalanga, and again next week Friday and Saturday in the North West.

 

On this matter of saving our rhino and protecting our heritage, we have no room for failure. Failure will mean failure to secure our country, failure to protect our economy, and failure to protect our people and their sovereignty.

 

We end our debate with what has guided us as the ANC on matters of environmental protection and I quote, ``The ANC believes that all citizens of South Africa at present and in the future have the right to a safe and healthy environment, and to a life of well-being.’’ This is stated in our seminal policy document titled Ready to Govern.

 

It is this noble goal of the protection and conservation of the environment that has also found concrete expression in our Constitution, which the ANC was a major sponsor of, which states that and I quote:

 

All South Africans have a constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to their health, well-being, and to have the environment ...

 

This includes the rhino - my emphasis.

 

... protected for the benefit of the present and future generations.

 

I thank you, Chair. [Applause.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms J STEENKAMP

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 129

Mr J M MTHEMBU

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms J STEENKAMP: Hon Chair, despite only amounting to 2% of the world’s total land mass, South Africa is an ecological hub. This cultural and ecological heritage - our shared inheritance - must be preserved. That means we must do all we can to save endangered species like the rhino.

 

In fact, we have a responsibility not only to ourselves, but also to the world, seeing that 75% of our black rhino population and 96% of our white rhino population reside here, in South Africa.

 

Since 2008, over 3 000 rhinos have been brutally murdered. Poachers are killing our rhino and stealing our heritage. The government must take a stand to end the ruthless massacre of our national heritage.

 

This is as much a moral issue as it is an economic issue. If we preserve our rhino, we will help to preserve our tourism industry. It affects our ability to create jobs for poor communities that are dependent on ecotourism, and it affects the legacy that we will leave behind for our children.

 

We owe it to ourselves, our children and their children to protect, defend and preserve our heritage. Until we fully grasp and understand the part we play in precipitating the extinction of the species, tackle poaching as a serious crime, and acting in a co-ordinated manner, the massacre of countless more rhino will continue. 

 

This means that the government must focus less on the preoccupation with the rhino trade debate which has polarized the conservation industry. It must focus on implementing tough measures to stop the endless poaching.

 

We therefore call on government to: Initiate education and awareness programmes that demonstrate the link between people, the environment and the economy, and build pride and respect for our wildlife; conduct a credible, independent forensic audit of current rhino population numbers in South Africa; regularly verify rhino poaching statistics; and commit to establishing a single, dedicated Joint Wildlife Crime Operations Committee, JWCOC, with highly trained, security vetted experts and representatives of all stakeholders to develop a single strategy to co-ordinate efforts from all stakeholders to stop the poaching.

 

Now is the time to act. We cannot wait because the rhino has no predator in the African wild; only man! I thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr J A MNGXITAMA

 

Ms J STEENKAMP

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 129

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr J A MNGXITAMA: Chair, the rhino is one of the most important species given to us by our gods, natured to preserve together with the rest of the biosphere. It goes without saying that the rhino must be saved. However, to save the rhino, we have to change how we think about this challenge. This paradigm shift is to remember that Africa did well in precolonial plunder. Europe has eaten all of her animals. We must ask ``why’’?

 

If we follow that question we shall see the contradiction of saying, on the one hand, ‘Save the rhino,’ and on the other, ‘Support capitalism.’ It is the capitalist plan that is responsible for the attack on the rhino. The myth around the uses of the rhino horn is not new and should not lead to the depletion of the species. However, under capitalism, the rhino has become a commodity, like most aspects of our lives.

 

Now, I hear hon Mthembu talking about also getting part of the action  - using the commodity and selling it. The message that must be sent out loud and clear is that the rhino cannot be protected under an economic system that is driven by profit and greed, a system that disregards the wellbeing of the people. Just like diamond smugglers, like abalone and perlemoen smugglers, rhino poachers rely on the existence of the desperately poor as their foot soldiers.

 

As long as there is poverty, there shall be people prepared to risk their hopeless lives, and rhino poachers depend on this available army of the poor. To date, our government efforts have been focused on arresting and killing the poor under the guise of fighting rhino poaching. In reality, our rhino population has been privatised, given to white farmers under dodgy circumstances. We read about this every weekend in newspapers.

 

The real poaching is happening and we are paying for it. The shoot-to-kill the poacher strategy is breeding a wild world on a total of 2% of our landmass that is the size of the Kruger National Park. In January alone this year, 11 poachers were killed. There is a war going on here.

 

The conditions of our people living around our parks should be priority number one. The Kruger National Park continues to have no policy to compensate or protect communities around the parks who are regularly attacked by wild animals. Let us give the people a real stake in the parks.

 

There are people who live around the national park or on it. Let them benefit directly, not as providers of cheap labour to both the park and the poachers. Then – and only then - can the rhino be protected. The only strategy that will protect the rhino is one that puts people before the rhino, as it was in precolonial Africa. Let us save the rhino. Let us end capitalism. Let us save our people. That is the only real solution!

 

Let me conclude by stating a different fact: The presence of the public order police in Parliament on 21 August 2014 undermines the sacred principle of separation of powers, and it is an attempt to intimidate the members of this House who belong to the EFF. It shall not be allowed. Thank you. [Applause.]

 

 

 

Mr S P MABILO

 

Mr J A MNGXITAMA

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 129

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr S P MABILO: Hon Chair, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon members, the central theme for this debate is the protection of our natural heritage for sustainable development and decent livelihoods in order to harness our biodiversity potential.

 

Rhino poaching remains one of the biggest threats to our booming tourism industry in South Africa. South Africa is recognised throughout the world for its natural beauty and landscapes. The opportunity to see the Big Five is a key drawcard for both domestic as well as international tourists.

 

The fact that these species, like the lion, the elephant, the buffalo, the leopard and, notably, the rhino, takes pride of place alongside our most beloved icon, Nelson Mandela, on the South African banknotes further emphasises the importance of these valuable exotic species.

 

One must further recognise that Southern Africa is by far a refuge for many species currently being poached at an alarming rate in West, Central as well as East Africa. The SA National Parks, Sanparks, provincial park authorities and private game reserves rely heavily on nature-based tourism to generate income to subsidise the high cost associated with preserving these natural assets.

 

During the past financial year, Sanparks hosted a huge number of visitors and generated close to R1 billion in tourism revenue. SA National Parks manages 21 parks, of which five of those host rhinos.  These are: The Kruger National Park; Marakele Park, Mokala Park, Mapungubwe and Addo Elephant National Parks.

 

One of our key tourism attractions is of course the world- famous Kruger National Park. It also bears the brunt of the current poaching challenges. During the past financial year, the Kruger National Park hosted 1,55 million visitors, of which 1,2 million were domestic visitors and just over 350 000 were foreign visitors. Revenue from the Kruger National Park and four other national parks subsidised the operational cost of the remaining national parks.

Now, the EFF member the hon Mngxitam must listen attentively to something based on research, not on empty rhetoric, and not on hollow phrases and noise. The research to accurately quantify the potential impact of rhino poaching on tourism has been initiated. The initial indication clearly indicates that the impact could be dramatic.

 

Potential implications of rhino poaching include the following: One, reputational damage to South Africa’s image; two, concerns of safety of tourists to national parks; three, additional pressure on the fiscus to supplement the loss in tourism revenue. High-level risk identified in terms of rhino poaching ... [Interjections.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Mabilo, would you please take your seat.

 

Mr J A MNGXITAMA: The point of order is that the member is referring to research without firstly telling us what it is, and the methodology used. Thank you.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon member, this is not a workshop. Thank you very much! Continue, hon Mabilo.

 

Mr S P MABILO: Empirical evidence.

 

South Africa must see the threat of rhino poaching as having consequences far beyond those of the potential loss of one or two of the Big Five. It has the potential to have a severe impact on the South African ability to exploit the economic potential and related socioeconomic benefits that the country’s wildlife economy promises to deliver.

 

This rhino poaching must be understood as a direct challenge to the sovereignty of our country. We have no option but to rise together to the challenge. Just imagine the South African tourism industry without the Kruger National Park!

 

Rhinos are also part of the booming wildlife economy that drives the tourism figures. With more than 9 000 game ranges across the country, the wildlife economy is currently valued at R8 billion and is growing at an annual rate of 20,3% in terms of the turnover. It attracts large numbers of international visitors and creates more than 100 000 jobs across the country.

 

It is our considered view that young people, women and people with disabilities must benefit from the biodiversity, employment and business opportunities created by this encounter. SMMEs must also share in the value chain. We call on the country to unite behind our broad vision and programme to jealously defend our natural heritage.

 

No responsible government will stand by idly while its natural resources are not only exploited but stolen right before their eyes. Our wildlife industry must be protected in order for us to fight the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

Ladies and gentlemen, today it is rhinos, but there is evidence that it could be lions or other species. We thank you very much. [Applause.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms S J NKOMO

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 130

Mr S P MABILO

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms S J NKOMO: Hon Chairperson, just before I start, I want to say that I think the change we saw with hon Mabilo coming before me probably means that I should get his six minutes.

 

At the onset, let me thank the majority party for tabling this motion for debate. Make no mistake, we are at war. Our rhino population is being slaughtered at rates that will see the rhino being wiped out within the next five to seven years.

 

Since the start of this poaching epidemic in 2008, South Africa has lost over 2 600 rhinos, with 760 being killed this year alone. This figure, I might add, excludes pseudohunts. By pseudohunts I mean hunts authorised or allowed by crumbling, corrupt and inept conservation services.

 

It is reported that our conservation services in the North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga are currently beyond repair. There is still no central database or system which nationally tracks and co-ordinates our antipoaching efforts. Our rhinos are dying because of ineffective systems and lack of the required political will; alleged complicity in poaching by security and policing services; the lack of information shared between our enforcement agencies, and judicial sanctions that are not yet swift or severe enough.

 

International co-operation remains vague and embarrassing. It seems that the required political will is missing, with our government paying mere lip service. We would encourage greater action and international co-operation and less talk.

 

Government’s focus must also be on the rangers as well as the antipoaching units and security services. They are our frontline and they stand between the poachers and our rhinos. These units must be adequately staffed and equipped.

 

The protection of our rhinos from poaching places a solemn and binding obligation on all of us and, in particular, the government of this country to do everything it possibly can to prevent this wholesale slaughter. Any calls and efforts or regulations which seek to subvert such obligations must be opposed.

 

In closing, let me reiterate that rhino horn has no medicinal value whatsoever. By legitimising its trade, we are legitimising this fraud. Is this the kind of heritage we want to leave our children with? Definitely not! Thank you, hon Chair.

 

 

 

 

Mr M L SHELEMBE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 130

Ms S J NKOMO

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr M L SHELEMBE: Hon Chair and hon Members of Parliament, the NFP believes that the rhino has a particularly important place in our biological diversity since it is one of the Big Five alongside the elephant, lion, leopard and the buffalo. This concept of the big five is heritage that we should be guarding jealously.

 

As South Africans, we are familiar with the Big Five and we acknowledge the importance of the Big Five as a major tourist attraction, bringing with it much-needed economic benefit for our country. Tourists who visit our game parks delight in seeing the Big Five and, in addition to spending money visiting our game parks, they also spend money on accommodation, traveling and shopping.

 

In addition, rhino poaching in South Africa has progressed from opportunistic poaching to a fully-fledged industry controlled by highly organised syndicates. We cannot say that people are poaching because they are hungry; it is now about greed. The question we have to ask ourselves in this is, if we fold our arms and do nothing and allow all our rhino to be poached for the benefit of men who believe that the horns will increase their performance, what will we do when they come for our elephants? Will we still do nothing? If there are no more elephants left, they will come for our lions, then proceed to our leopards and ultimately our buffaloes. This will simply be happening because we will be perceived as a country with no willpower to stop the slaughter.

 

What legacy shall we leave to generations to come if we allow our heritage to slip through our fingers? The NFP proposes that the key interventions should focus on the effective implementation of existing legislation. There must be dedicated investigation whereby the Green Hawks, which should consist of a special investigating unit, infiltrate the sophisticated syndicates and crime networks that are driving poaching frenzy.

 

With regard to dedicated prosecution, currently all the successful prosecutions are targeting the poachers but not the receivers, couriers, buyers and exporters, all of whom are at a given time within the borders of our country. Once again, the Green Hawks will be of great value in assisting specialist prosecutors to bring to book the syndicate members and not only the poachers.

 

Finally, close co-operation with our neighbouring countries Mozambique and Zimbabwe will be of great importance if we are to make progress in the fight against rhino poaching. There should be strict control at our borders, and involvement of amakhosi [chiefs] and communities in fighting against rhino poaching. Thank you.

 

 

 

 

Mr B H HOLOMISA

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 130

Mr M L SHELEMBE

 

 

 

 

 

Mr B H HOLOMISA: Hon Chairperson and hon members, the poaching of rhino in South Africa is currently taking its toll on one of the most lucrative sectors namely, heritage tourism. Statistic evidence reveals that we are losing the battle against rhino poaching. This confirms that we have a national crisis. It embarrasses the nation when, in some instances, these acts of criminality and cruelty against animals are perpetrated by criminals in collaboration with some of our officials.

 

The question that we must ask ourselves as the people of South Africa is whether we, as a country concerned with future economic growth and its heritage, are giving due consideration to the actual economic value of these animals. It is reported that involved in these acts are, amongst others, South African citizens and some citizens of neighbouring countries.

 

Whilst we commend the Department of Environmental Affairs and all citizens for their efforts in confronting this matter, a further decisive intervention will be for the South African President to engage the heads of the relevant countries and bring an immediate end to the rhino poaching.

 

IsiXhosa:

Ngexesha besikhe sasegquguleni neSebe lezeMicimbi yokusiNgqongileyo, kuye kwabonakala ukuba baninzi abantu ababandakanyekayo kulo mba wokubulawa kweemikhombe. Into esixhalabisa kakhulu kule nto ngaba basuka kummandla osemazantsi e-Afrika, kumazwe angabamelwane, ingakumbi abaphuma kwilizwe laseMozambique.

 

Xa siza kuthetha-thethana neMozambique kufuneka siyiqonde into yokuba kukho ungquzulwano ngaphakathi kwela lizwe. Masingapheleli ekuthetheni naba bakurhulumente kuphela, siyayazi ukuba iRenamo idungadunga uxolo kwela cala. Ndiyathemba ngokwezopolitiko, ukuba kuyafuneka uMongameli bamcebise ngenxaxheba yeRenamo kule nto yenzekayo ngoku sithethayo. Ndiyayeka ke ngoku, bendicebisa phofu. [Kwaqhwatywa.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr P W MULDER

 

Mr B H HOLOMISA

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 130

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr P W A MULDER: Hon Chairperson, the world in 2014 is a world that is sensitive to conservation.

 

Afrikaans:

Ons leef in ’n wêreld waar baie moeite gedoen word en baie geld gespandeer word om ons erfenis, hetsy ons kultuurerfenis of ons natuurerfenis te bewaar.

 

In Suid-Afrika was die oorlewing van wit renosters ’n paar dekades gelede ’n krisis met die besliste moontlikheid dat wit renosters in die wêreld kon uitsterf.

 

Dit is ’n Suid-Afrikaanse sukses dat deur slim bewaringstappe, wit renosters gered is.

English:

So, we owe a lot to Dr Ian Player, one of the world’s most outstanding conservationists and environmental statesmen, for this success. With his team, he pioneered the saving of the white rhino from extinction through Operation Rhino.

 

Afrikaans:

Daarom is dit ironies dat ons in 2014, terwyl die wêreld met bewaring worstel, ’n aanslag en ’n krisis met ons renosters het. Meer as 1 000 renosters is in 2013 doodgemaak en vanjaar is ons al by meer as 700. Hoekom? Sommige mense is bereid om meer vir renosterhoring te betaaal as vir goud, want hulle glo dat dit sekere medisinale waarde het.

 

Navorsing het bewys dat renosterhoring geen medisinale waarde het nie. Ek herhaal, renosterhoring het geen medisinale waarde nie. As jy renosterhoring wil probeer, vyl jou naels af, drink dit en kyk of dit iets aan jou sal maak, want dit is basies dieselfde.

 

Ons probleem is binnelands in Suid-Afrika, maar ook in die buiteland. As Adjunkminister van Landbou het ek samesprekings met ’n Minister van Viëtnam gevoer.

 

English:

Just for the sake of those members with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam ...

 

Afrikaans:

Ek het die uitwissing van Suid-Afrikaanse renosters op die agenda geplaas. Toe ons daaroor begin praat, vertel die Minister vir my van al die voordele, vanuit ’n medisinale oogpunt, van renosterhoring. Hy het my gevra of ek weet dat dit vir bloeddruk en kanker kan help. Dit het van die Viëtnamese Minister gekom.

 

Dit wys hoe ernstig die probleem in die buiteland is. Ons het ’n reuse opvoedingstaak in die buiteland, maar ook in die binneland. Dit is egter nie genoeg nie. Dit is ook belangrik dat ons hier onverbiddelik optree teen renosterstrokers. Ons benodig onverbiddelike polisieoptrede en baie swaar straf vir oortreding is nodig.

 

English:

In this connection, the FF Plus supports hot pursuit into Mozambique and into other countries as a deterrent. We believe calculated hot pursuit is legal and used worldwide. I know it is controversial. We must also evaluate the pros and cons of our cross-border national park with Mozambique. We have a lot of pros but also a lot of negative problems.

 

The FF Plus also believes that the government must fast-track investigations into the legal selling of rhino horn. We are aware of the merits and the demerits of this solution but it is worth investigating and maybe, at the end of the day, takes some calculated risks to solve this problem.

 

Afrikaans:

Die krisis is so groot dat ons nie een hiervan kan nalaat nie.

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF POLICE

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 131

Dr P W A MULDER

 

 

 

 

 

The DEPUTY MINISTER OF POLICE: House Chairperson, Members of Parliament and our guests, South Africa prides itself on being home to eight of the world’s official heritage sites, as determined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Committee.

 

These eight landmarks are not sites for beauty only; they are inherently linked to our socioeconomic development through tourism. Should any of these natural and cultural sites and their related inhabitants and animals be threatened in any way, our socioeconomic security also gets destabilised. Regrettably, we are here to debate one of the threats that, if not effectively and efficiently addressed, will mean we will see our national security damaged and our economy eroded.

 

It is a fact that South Africa, until 2010 at least, was viewed as the primary custodian of Africa’s white rhino, with approximately 93% of about a total of more than 18 000 white rhino in South Africa alone. Sadly, since then, there has been a dramatic decrease in this number due to the brutal killings of these animals by criminals for their horns.

 

The people who plan to kill animals for their body parts are nothing more than criminals who have no regard for the importance of our ecosystem in its entirety, our dependency on it to survive, and for the future of our children.

 

Probably, then, that is why we are gathered here today to discuss and deliberate on better ways to intervene to fight the scourge of these senseless wildlife killings. Yes, there is a consistent growing concern to combat rhino killings and mutilation for their horns.

 

As police, we received numerous lambasting comments alleging that we are not doing enough to increase arrests for quick prosecutions and stiffer sentencing. But, as the leadership of police, we are the first ones to say that we have initiated a lot of breakthroughs to fight against rhino poaching and other similar attacks on our endangered species.

 

Our Department of Police has developed and integrated multidisciplinary collaborative processes between the relevant SA Police Service divisions, known as the Crime Detection Framework. The divisions are the Hawks, the Detective Services and the Operational Response Services.

 

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, DPCI, the Hawks, is the champion division to root out these kinds of crime. You will know that rhino killings have now become a very sophisticated and organised crime. The organisation, transport and smuggling or trafficking of the rhino horns are done by large, sophisticated organised crime syndicates, which, in fact, now include the so-called trusted wildlife industry professionals, swelling the ranks of the poaching demographic.

 

That is why there is also now a dedicated Special Investigation Unit led by the SA Police Services’ Detective Services, which only focuses on rhino poaching. This unit, which is located within the SA Police Service Cross-Border Unit, operates under the operational agreement between the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation, referred to as Sarpcco, member states.

 

All operational members of this unit, which are made up of all detective heads of the member countries, are situated and operating at the borderlines as per the Permanent Co-ordinating Subcommittee of Sarpcco. Most importantly, we want to assure our people that the South African police are not only focusing on rhino poaching at the borderlines. Police are there to prioritise all types of crimes happening within and at the edges of our ports of entry to safeguard our nation.

 

The cross-border unit is a broader operational strategy to focus on all hot pursuits as prioritised by the SA Police Service. For example, the cross-border unit also focuses on stock theft, motor vehicle theft, human trafficking, drug trafficking and other related crimes.

 

Already, a rhino poacher was sentenced to 77 years imprisonment in the Mbombela Magistrate Court, and this has been one of the heaviest penalties aimed at curbing this crime against our environment. Such successful prosecutions are clear indications that our police are working very hard and long hours to ensure that justice is done. We can still do more to crack down on these heinous criminals, but there are no quick-fix solutions because this crime is not only complex and very hard to police, but it also poses a lot of challenges on issues of capacity, costs and community intelligence.

 

Therefore, we need a more concerted, integrated effort between all stakeholders and role-players mandated to curb this crime. Yes, the National Commissioner of Police is currently boosting the capacity of police personnel, particularly in crime scene management, to combat this kind of crime, especially the rhino killings. We also need efficient and working bilaterals with those countries that border our parks, as alluded to by hon Holomisa.

 

We are happy to note that our government signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam in 2012, with China in 2013, and is still developing one with Thailand and Cambodia. These are all countries that have heightened interest in the rhino horns. I think the Minister of Environmental Affairs will also highlight some of the countries that we have already signed memoranda of understanding with.

 

With the establishment of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, Natjoints - the committee which comprises of Police, Defence, Environmental Affairs, Intelligence, Home Affairs and all the affected sectors at the Kruger National Park, which is still the centre of the majority of poaching of rhino horn in South Africa - it is the SA Police Service’s hope that there would be better communication and collaboration between government departments and improved database system sharing.

 

There are so many anti-poaching campaigns and there could now be an overflow of duplication of efforts. What we need to do is to strengthen our already existing bilaterals and ensure that the operational agreement between the SA Police Service and Sarpcco is formalised to allow a speedier extradition application for cross-border criminals.

 

As the SA Police Service, we want to see memoranda of understanding that yield meaningful and impactful action against these senseless killings of our wildlife and our tourism. We will ensure a sustainable crime combating effort to save our rhino, our environment and, most importantly, our people and the future of our children. I thank you. [Applause.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Thank you, hon Sotyu.

 

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT ON DONATION OF TIME DURING EPC PERIOD

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Before I call the next speaker, I just want to announce that the arrangement of donation of time which is done by nonparticipating parties to other parties was a special arrangement for the Extended Public Committees. It is not continuing. So, it is no longer applicable.

 

 

Ms D CARTER

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 132

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms D CARTER: Save our rhino, our heritage. The question is, how? Chair, to use the words of a very wise man: there is no silver bullet.

 

Since the moratorium on rhino horn trade was implemented, 122 rhino were poached in 2009, compared to the single digits before the moratorium. Three-hundred and thirty-three rhino were poached in 2010, 448 in 2011, 668 in 2012 and 1 004 in 2013. To date, more than 700 rhino have been killed in 2014.

 

If this multiplying effect is going to continue, then by 2019 we will only hear or see rhino either on Google or in a library. Is this the heritage which we want to leave our children and grandchildren?

 

It is basic economics; it is school-level economics. It is all about supply and demand. The demand for horn in Asian markets is price inelastic, meaning that consumers are insensitive to price increases. They want it no matter what the cost.

 

There are 500 farmers that own rhino currently. As things stand today, they cannot even get a bid at auctions, as they are trying to sell the rhino to save their lives.

 

Communities are fertile ground for poachers. It is time for government to be brave enough. If government entrusts the communities with rhino, rhino breeders and farmers are prepared to teach communities how to dehorn the animals. If a community knows that it can earn a living off a heritage we are entrusting them with, they will protect the rhino.

 

The demand could be legitimately supplied by selling off two to three tons of horn a year from South Africa’s stockpile. Rather than selling the horns to one buyer who could manipulate the price and the market, the stock should be put on public auction.

 

Government must be bold. It must go to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Cites, and tell them that the ban is in conflict with section 24(b) of the Constitution. If they are not prepared to listen, South Africa must withdraw if we want to stop the slaughter.

 

I request government to look at the vicuña parallel. Vicuñas were mauled for their exquisite valuable wool and were down to only 5 000, but with the will of government the vicuñas were rescued from the brink of extinction and the population now boasts over 400 000 vicuñas.

 

Satisfy the market demand, alleviate poverty, learn from history, and let us save our rhino. I thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms C DUDLEY

 

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 132

Ms D CARTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs C DUDLEY: Chair, it was the ACDP that first started drawing attention to the up-scaling of attacks on rhino in South Africa in 2010, raising awareness of a wildlife mafia using helicopters, drugs, chainsaws and sophisticated weapons. We urged government at that time to recreate a special police unit and beef up capacity to counter this seemingly very organised crime.

 

A total of 3071 rhino have been killed in South Africa since 2010, and we are told that the demand for rhino horn has become so intense that international museums are being robbed and zoos are under threat.

 

This carnage has, however, drawn South Africans together in our outrage and we have witnessed a wide range of solutions being implemented, including long-range drones equipped with multiple sensors and cameras for spotting, tracking and deterring poachers.

 

While this war has not yet been won, progress is evident and the tide may be beginning to turn. Experts say the unprecedented measures being used against rhino poaching have definitely made an impression in preventing the rhino slaughter from continuing unabated.

 

The ACDP welcomes partnerships formed with the National Defence Force, police, and game reserves to tackle this difficult task. The ACDP salutes all involved and we take special note of the men and women of the Rangers Corps who find themselves escorting tourists by day and fighting poachers by night.

 

We have seen a number of arrests, with some poachers given extremely heavy sentences, but there appear to have been no arrests of receivers, drivers and couriers or buyers and exporters. In the words of WildLeaks founder, Andrea Costa, you can’t just keep catching and jailing poachers because there is an endless supply of them out there. WildLeaks is a kind of WikiLeaks for the environment, which uses the anonymity of online tip-offs to stem the killing of wildlife.

It is the first secure online whistle-blowing platform dedicated to wildlife and forest crime that targets top-end traffickers. It has been welcomed by rhino and wildlife protection organisations, who say that hunters poaching and slaughtering Africa’s rhino and elephant with impunity are often shielded from police by powerful connections.

 

Apart from WildLeaks, the ACDP encourages people to report incidences of poaching and tip-offs to the South African anonymous tip-off lines or crime lines.

 

Rhino poaching is theft on a national scale, since rhino slaughtered are in our national parks. Experts say there is no doubt that greed is the main driver of rhino poaching, not poverty as initially thought.

 

One of the many questions being asked, especially by people who have given money to the Stop Rhino Poaching campaign, is exactly how  the money that has been raised has been used, and what can be done to hold this and other campaigns accountable, as the public is vulnerable because it feels passionate about this cause.

 

Rhino are part of our heritage and one of the reasons tourists spend billions of dollars and travel halfway across the world to visit South Africa. I am told that rhino babies are enchanting with the softness of their muzzles... Thank you. [Time expired.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 133

Ms C DUDLEY

 

 

 

 

 

 

The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS: Hon House Chair and hon members, since perhaps the dawn of time, the rhino – ubejane; tshukudu; die renoster - has been emblematic of Africa, of us as a continent and as a people.

 

This animal - with its magnificent features - reminds us of our ancestral past and our prehistoric origins from another place in time. In this month of September, we celebrate our great heritage as South Africans and as Africans and our human connection with nature.

 

The fight to save the rhino goes way beyond the protection of a species. It is inextricably tied to our South African heritage. There are those who would ask why, with all the challenges we face as a country to build a better life for all our people, we place the conservation of animals at the centre of the national debate. The answer is a simple one. It is because protection of our natural resources lies at the heart of what makes us as South Africans - our love for this beautiful land. This is why we will not be complacent as our national security is breached, and as criminals decimate our wildlife, among the most abundant in the world.

 

South Africa has always been, and remains, the home of the rhino as the chairperson, hon member Jackson Mthembu, mentioned. Despite the onslaught of human encroachment over the centuries and man’s often cruel pursuit of these animals, they indeed have endured - and here, in the southernmost tip of Africa, they are home. Eighty-two per cent of Africa’s rhino can be found in South Africa. Ninety-three per cent of white rhino and 39% of black rhino are here in South Africa and, yet, barely a century ago, they faced extinction – for those who may not know. Not just in Africa, but globally. It is because of the conservation efforts of South Africa that the majority of Africa’s rhino may today be found in the Kruger National Park – a name so famous globally and associated with the legendary Big Five that it is simply called the Kruger. But our sterling track record is under threat. Rhinos are being poached in ever-increasing numbers.

 

May I also say to the hon Dudley that, as the numbers of animals being poached began to be seen, we were in the Kruger National Park. We did not need to be told from this podium. We always hear that a cock who crows claims responsibility for the sunrise.

 

It is no ordinary crime, but part of a greater, highly-organised, well-funded illicit wildlife trade. Those behind rhino poaching are often linked to transnational crime syndicates, as the hon Deputy Minister said. They are operating not on the margins of society, but within it, counting within their ranks those who have the inside knowledge – we acknowledge that as a fact as well. They also have knowhow and the financial means to bring the rhino once again to the brink of extinction.

 

As signatories to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Cites, we have long placed sustainable utilisation at the heart and the cornerstone of our conservation policies. South Africa remains committed to rooting out the illegal trade in specimens in wild animals and plants which threatens their survival.

 

Hon members of this House, we are holding this debate today because we as government believe that the solution to the illicit wildlife trade, and in particular rhino poaching, cannot lie in one area alone. Solving the problem is not government’s task alone, but will ultimately rest on the strength of collaborative partnerships between government, the private sector and the nongovernment organisation, NGO, sector. It is for that reason that we really appreciate all efforts made by all our people to date for every small contribution that they have made.

 

The South African government, under the stewardship of the Department of Environmental Affairs, has adopted the integrated strategic management of rhinos – a raft of measures that, working in tandem, will  bear fruit in the fight against this scourge, unlike what hon member Nkomo believes. To ensure the long-term survival of this great African animal necessitates that we long abandon and really just do away with a wait-and-see approach.

 

The strategy, as adopted by the Cabinet, is characterised by a balance between a proactive approach of antipoaching measures, the implementation of innovative new measures in order to bolster the numbers and the vigorous pursuit of interventions for long-term sustainability. There are also compulsory measures that we believe we must take. Government has been doing this all along, but we also believe that we need to include new innovations in this regard. Amongst others, the intervention that the South African government has used in the past with immense success - by the way - and continues to employ is strategic translocation.

 

Moving rhino to low-risk areas – leading to the creation of rhino strongholds in areas where the animals are safe and protected - has been scientifically proven and has resulted in increased populations. It is important therefore to note that these translocations that we will be making to other parks and reserves as well as to private and even to community land will actually help us to multiply these animals.

However, we know that meeting the challenge posed by the fluid and rapidly-evolving criminal elements require innovation - new approaches that can effectively disrupt these syndicates. We need to do that, and continue to do that.

 

I am not going to get into the area of the memoranda of understanding, MOUs, that we have signed – the hon member Sotyu has already referred to that. But, yes, we would like to say we know and we have learned that increased militarisation alone will not work. It has to be matched with proactive strategies targeted at the end-user countries, including but not limited to demand reduction through awareness campaigns. We are embarking continuously on these awareness campaigns. Already people from Vietnam have been here – young and old children - to learn and to see what a rhino looks like. They are currently conducting campaigns back in Vietnam. We will do that in other countries as well.

 

But so long as there is a reason - be it greed or indigence – for someone to go out and shoot a rhino and saw off its horn, we will consider community relationships as the very foundation of our strategies. It is, after all, from these communities that hired shooters come from. It is also from these communities – many of them underdeveloped - that the natural instinct to protect these animals may be superseded by concerns for money because they are simply too poor. This is unlike what hon Shelembe said when he said that these people are not poor; they are just driven by greed. Indeed, people are poor but there are different levels - there are those who are driven by greed and there are those who are really very poor. They are just attracted and used. We have to ensure that we work with these people to give them alternative economic means.

 

The ownership and management of our country’s wildlife was for centuries in the hands of a few. Generations of South African children were born and grew up alongside many of the country’s wildlife reserves without ever being allowed to pass the gate.

 

It is under this government that the dream of many of these communities to have a stake in the management and ownership of these animals has actually been realised. To ensure the long-term sustainable utilisation of the wildlife of which we speak, it is key that we involve communities every step of the way as we have done in this past week. Thanks go to the portfolio committee members who have taken this war out there into our communities, not just by creating an enabling environment that facilitates rhino ownership and management for disadvantaged communities, but also through creating economic alternatives to poaching within these communities.

 

The lure for poachers is a strong one, especially if you believe your future to be bleak and your prospects to be nonexistent. But it is a road that we are determined to dissuade them from taking and it starts with the young. The seeds of the national pride in our rhino and its protection are most fertile in the minds of the youth. The values of pride, responsibility, and duty to protect, once successfully instilled in them, never leave. But we cannot promise them words alone. Hon member Nkomo, we are not promising words; we are acting on a daily basis. It is our responsibility to redirect the energies of the young towards useful income-generating projects that mean they remain far from the poacher’s snare. [Interjections.] Please, if you could just be quiet, because you were reading somebody’s speech, and you did not even understand what it said.

 

Our very first impression of the recently convened public hearings into rhino poaching tells us that, if offered alternatives, communities are inclined towards upliftment and conservation, not crime. We are in a country committed to sustainable utilisation of our natural resources.

 

Let me repeat, this is an important policy: ``sustainable utilisation of our natural resources’’, which is why Cabinet has also authorised our department to explore the feasibility of a legal trade in rhino horn. Let’s understand this: It is not about the selling of rhino; we are exploring a possibility. We cannot just sit back here and look at rhinos – people are looking for horns and really just killing the live rhinos. We have to explore the possibility of this ever happening. If it works, it will work for us as well.

 

The application of economic fundamentals to issues around a proposed legal trade, also known as rhinonomics, is among the terms of reference of a panel of experts that we have appointed. Thank you very much, hon members. [Time expired.] [Applause.]

Mr M M TSHISHONGA

 

The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 133

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr M M TSHISHONGA: House Chair and the hon House ...

 

Tshivenda:

Nari i todelwa lunanga lwayo. Ndi zwone zwauri ri nndwani ya u tsireledza nari. Kha ri ite mutingati. Mapholisa vha u linda mupo na vhane vha tsireledza dziphukha vha khou ita nga ndila dzo fhambanaho uri vha tsireledze dzinari.

 

English:

Communities living around our national parks need strong incentives to protect our heritage because there is a profit in it for them. Our view is that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Cites, must help to pour resources into such communities. [Interjections.]

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G BOROTO): Hold on, hon Tshishonga. Hon members, please take your seats. The noise levels are too high. You cannot have a meeting in the Chamber, please. Continue, hon member.

 

Mr M M TSHISHONGA: Our view is that Cites must help to pour resources into such communities or allow such communities to sell off legally harvested rhino horns once a year and use the income for community upliftment. If communities earn monetary rewards for protecting our rhinos, rhino poaching will receive a deathblow. It is the high profit and low risk, which is driving rhino poaching. If the retail price starts to come down and the risk increases substantially, our rhinos stand a chance of survival. It is the illegal commodification of the rhino horn that is the biggest problem.

 

There is something else that must be removed - prestige in the buying of powdered horn. The more unaffordable it becomes, the greater the prestige in buying powdered horn.

 

 

Tshivenda:

Zwezwo kha ri sedze uri vhathu vhane vha dzula tsini na Vhugalaphukha ha Lushaka, vha ambiwa navho uri vha vhe vhalidzandwevha uri vha tsireledze vhathu vhane vha khou ṱoḓa u dzhena kha vhugalaphukha.

 

English:

The price of rhino horn must be driven down. If that means increasing rhino farming, then that is the route we should take. We should also consider encouraging Vietnam and China to breed rhinos so that the pressure on rhinos in our country decreases. Buyers in Vietnam and China will not desist from buying rhino horn. If they cannot get it legally, they will buy it anyway.

 

It must be clear to all that the Cites ban has encouraged organised crime syndicates to supply the market. They also have the money to co-opt corrupt officials and entice impoverished communities living near national game parks.

 

 

Tshivenda:

Kha ri ite mutingati ri lwe na nndwa ya u tsireledza dziphukha dzashu dzine dza wanala. Ndi a livhuwa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms T STANDER

 

 

 

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 134

Mr M M TSHISHONGA

 

 

 

 

 

IsiXhosa:

Nks T STANDER: Ndiyabulela, Sihlalo. Molweni, malungu ahloniphekileyo, manene nani manenekazi, enihleli apho phezulu. Siyavuya ukunibona.

 

English:

Three thousand, three hundred and seventy-four rhinoceroses have been killed since 2008. I can give you the official number: 736 have been killed as of today. We must ask: Why is the relentless massacre of our rhino being allowed to increase? Those on my right might mock the demand and blame the black market, the abuses of the permitting system, the lack of funding and the lack of intelligence capacity. Agreed. These are challenges, but I call their bluff.

 

Ministers shouldn’t whine like spoiled children but take responsibility. Combating rhino poaching is not a choice, but an obligation in terms of section 24(b) of the Constitution, which is stronger than any party manifesto. The only thing lacking is the genuine collective political will to tackle this crisis. Frilly statements are convincing, but the lack of results is more convincing. Ministers should stop the talk shops and act. The 2010 World Cup is proof of how genuine political will can direct efforts to make a success of a project that was largely met with scepticism.

 

In 2010 a great national strategy for the safety and security of rhinoceros populations in South Africa was developed, but in four years little has come of this. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure – Natjoints,  mentioned here a couple of times today - has failed. Stakeholders, including the Hawks, the SA Police Service, National Prosecuting Authority and private rhino owners, are operating in isolation. No one knows whom to trust, with reports of government officials, police and rangers embroiled in syndicates. There is no credible, national, co-ordinated strategy or structure. We call on hon Minister Molewa to take the reins, and scrap and replace the structure with a new one consisting of vetted stakeholder representatives.

 

Intelligence has been identified as a weakness by this department since the start of this crisis six years ago. Why is it that I can have a list of 72 suspected poachers in my hands, but not one of these has been investigated properly let alone convicted? You can even call them with the telephone numbers listed here.

 

Gathering and analysing intelligence will support operations that disrupt organised crime and prevent poaching incidents. It is also the one form of support that government can actually give to private rhino owners to help intercept attacks on their reserves. It is the single most important intervention. Cabinet Ministers, you need to take responsibility: prioritise rhino poaching when you determine your national intelligence estimates for the medium to long term, and dedicate an intelligence desk to develop strategies that a national structure can co-ordinate.

 

Sentences have improved lately, probably due to the department’s efforts to provide training and having dedicated prosecutors. However, cases still take years to finalise, and the fact remains that not one poacher above the Level 1 level has been arrested to date.

 

We urge the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services to take responsibility: review legislation to list poaching as a Level 5 offence, increase minimum sentences to 10 years for Level 1 poachers, and deny bail for repeat or foreign suspects.

 

Legislation is only as good as its enforcement. Current permit regulations stipulate:

Rhino hunts must take place under the supervision of a conservation official preferably an environmental management inspector from the province concerned ...

 but this doesn’t happen.

 

The North West’s premier’s own misconduct unit and Mukalah Governance & Corporate Legal Solutions reported that the deputy director of biodiversity management and conservation was complicit in permit irregularities. Instead of being subjected to a disciplinary hearing, he has since been promoted to director of this department. [Interjections.] Minister, take responsibility: initiate a full forensic audit into all permits issued since 2010 in every province and institute disciplinary and/or criminal procedures where necessary; and centralise the permitting system to maintain a database of all hunter profiles and their applications to prevent abuse.

 

If reports are to be believed, special operations troops were sent into Lesotho to evacuate the Prime Minister while our own borders lie porous and undefended. Up to 12 armed invasions originate from Mozambique in the Kruger National Park on a daily basis. We insist that at least two SA National Defence Force personnel are deployed every 10 kilometres along the Kruger National Park’s 356-kilometre border; and that 1 500 well-trained and resourced troops are deployed throughout South African National Parks, SANParks.

 

Hon Minister Mapisa-Nqakula: I watched you on TV saying, ``We are the first line of defence of the Republic of South Africa and its institutions and, equally, we will be the last line of defence.’’ As head of the joint security cluster, you acted very swiftly against some errant members in this House. Do you not feel that poachers deserve similar swift action? Minister, take responsibility.

 

In a joint press conference on rhino poaching, Commissioner Phiyega stated that hot pursuits were happening all the time. But when I probed the SA Police Service in our portfolio committee, it was confirmed by the SAPS that the hot pursuit claim was nothing but hot air – much like the memoranda of understanding mentioned here today. Our law enforcement officials are handcuffed by the present rules of engagement. Ministers of the security cluster, we call on you to take responsibility: facilitate the process to change the rules of engagement and issue the relevant notices; get formal, written, hot-pursuit agreements in place; and sign extradition treaties to prosecute suspects in South Africa.

 

Our people, environment and economy are inextricably linked. Government must partner with surrounding communities to provide the necessary education, awareness and protection needed for the conservation of our rhino. After all, they present a long-term source of income rather than a quick cash incentive. These programmes must benefit economically the broader community and not select individuals. It is clear from recent public hearings that our people are proud that rhino form part of our heritage and want government to do more to stop the killings. Minister, take responsibility. [Interjections.]

 

Hon Mngxitama ...

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Stander ... Hon Stander, please take your seat.

 

The MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: On a point of order, before the hon member finishes her speech: the hon member indicated in her speech that the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans had taken action against a member of the House. I don’t recall such action by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. [Interjections.] Could the hon member withdraw that statement? [Interjections.] I was not aware that there are 45 presiding officers. I thought I was addressing the Chair.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Thank you. Hon Stander ... Let me say this: Have you said what was said here?

 

Ms T STANDER: No.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): You have not said that?

 

Ms T STANDER: Correct.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): At this stage, I cannot really say what you did or did not say. But, besides that, that is a point of debate that we need to talk to. Thank you very much. We will look into that, hon member. Continue.

 

Ms T STANDER: Thank you, Sihlalo [Chairperson.].

 

Hon Mngxitam, perhaps if you wish to participate in this debate, you actually need to attend the public hearings that we have had so that you can hear what people want rather than grandstand your own creative opinions; likewise for the ANC. Two people out of the over 1 000 participants do not speak for 51 million South Africans.

 

Let me categorically state that because no legal market channels have been negotiated or legislated, it would be irresponsible to make any proposals to lift the ban ...

 

Mr J A MNGXITAMA: On a point of order, Chair.

 

Ms T STANDER: ... at the 2016 Cites Conference of the Parties. Thank you very much. [Applause.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Stander, there was a point of order called before you left. Hon member?

 

Mr J A MNGXITAMA: The EFF is not like the DA. We don’t follow little meetings of the ANC. [Interjections.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Mngxitama, that is not a point of order, and please do not talk like that in the Chamber. Hon Stander, take your seat. Thank you very much. [Applause.]

 

The MINISTER OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Hon Chairperson, I had my hand up. There was a point of order, Chair, here. You did not recognise me. [Interjections.]

 

Mr M Q NDLOZI: On a point of order, Chair.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon member, on which point of order are you rising because there is no person here speaking?

 

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Members in the gallery are participating here. I think you must call them to order so that they understand that they can’t do that.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Oh, okay. I did not see them participating. If that happens, they must know.  Thank you. Sit down.

 

Mr M Q NDLOZI: Yes, please. We are serious here with the business of Parliament. [Interjections.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Minister Zulu? [Interjections.] Okay, could we give each other a chance, please? Could we listen to the hon Zulu? Thank you. Hon Zulu?

 

The MINISTER OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Hon Chair, I rose on a point of order but you did not recognise me while the hon member was still speaking. [Interjections.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Zulu, honestly I did not see you. That is true and it is like that. I only saw that one that was standing. I apologise, but the member is out now. We cannot continue. Thank you very much.

 

Mr J A MNGXITAMA: I have a point of order: Chair. It is ``hon Mngxitam’’, not ``that one’’.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Okay. I’m sorry, ``hon’’. Sit down. Thank you.

 

We now call on the hon Mthembu to close the debate.

 

 

 

 

Mr J M MTHEMBU

 

Ms T STANDER

 

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2 September 2014                   Take: 134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr J M MTHEMBU: Hon Chairperson, if the hon Stander has 72 names of suspects, I wonder if she is not part of the syndicates ... [Interjections.] ... because that would have been given to the relevant law enforcement authorities.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Mthembu ... Yes, hon Chief Whip of the Opposition.

 

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Chairperson, members of this House are hon members and it is unparliamentary to cast aspersions that a member of this House is involved in a criminal syndicate. Whether it’s speculation or otherwise, it is unparliamentary. I ask that you ask the member to kindly withdraw that aspersion.

 

Mr J M MTHEMBU: I withdraw, with respect. It would be helpful for the member to give such evidence to law enforcement authorities, instead of keeping that in her possession. [Interjections.] Secondly, Chair, we want to make it clear ...

 

Ms D CARTER: Chair, on a point of order ...

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Carter?

 

Ms D CARTER: Chairperson, I think it is important that we get an unconditional withdrawal.

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Carter, the hon Mthembu withdrew, and we noted that.

 

Ms D CARTER: Chairperson, I then suggest that you look at Hansard because it wasn’t just a withdrawal. Could it be an unconditional withdrawal? [Interjections.]

 

The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Okay, hon Carter. Let me say this: I didn’t hear any conditions. I heard the hon Mthembu saying, “I withdraw”, even before I could ask the question. Maybe he should have waited for me to ask the question, and then I would have gotten it. I allowed it to flow. Thank you very much. Let’s allow him to speak.

 

Mr J M MTHEMBU: It is unfortunate that in such an important debate, those whom we expect to be part of protecting the heritage of our country come here to this National Assembly and grandstand. They don’t deal with the issues, and even point at what more needs to be done. [Interjections.] It’s very unfortunate.

 

Hon Mngxitama, there are three arms of the state: they include the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. If anybody misbehaves in any of these three arms, we expect our law enforcement authorities to act.

 

Therefore, let’s thank all colleagues. Despite your differing emphasis, we all agree that we need to save and protect our heritage. We would like to thank you, all of you as parties, for rising ... Despite certain pronunciations, many of the parties in this House did indeed rise to the occasion. What all of us need to do now is work on how we take forward this discourse on saving our rhino. That is what all of us need to do, including the EFF. Thank you very much, Chair. [Applause.]

 

Debate concluded.

 

The House adjourned at 16:53.