Hansard: NA: Unrevised hansard
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 10 Sep 2015
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
THURSDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2015
____
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
____
The House met at 14:04.
The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayer or meditation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS – see col 000.
SEQUENCE OF PROCEEDINGS
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker, I move the motion printed in my name on the Order Paper, as follows:
That the House, notwithstanding Rule 29 which provides for the sequence of proceedings —
(1) gives precedence to motions on the Order Paper followed by the executive statement and Members’ Statements; and
(2) deals with notices of motion and motions without notice before the Orders of the Day.
Agreed to.
MOTION OF CONDOLENCE
(The Late Mr K S Mubu)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Speaker, I move the motion printed in my name on the Order Paper, as follows:
That the House —
(1) notes with great sadness the passing of our friend, brother and shadow Minister of Public Works, Kenneth Mubu, MP;
(2) further notes that, before joining the DA parliamentary caucus, hon Mubu served as the Director for Africa at the International Relations and Partnerships Directorate at the University of South Africa in Pretoria;
(3) acknowledges that hon Mubu was born in Lusaka, Zambia;
(4) further acknowledges that he held—
(a) a BA in Education from the University of Zambia;
(b) an MA in Journalism and Public Relations from Ball State University;
(c) a postgraduate Diploma in Management from Leicester University; as well as
(d) a Certificate in Public Relations Management from the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa;
(5) recognises hon Mubu’s contribution to building South Africa’s constitutional democracy through the various roles he held in his lifetime; and
(6) conveys its condolences to his family, especially his wife Nombulelo and children Kenneth Junior and Tari.
Mr M W RABOTAPI: Madam Speaker, the Mubu and Mbewu families, and hon members, today it is exactly 10 days from the day we received the sad news of the passing away of one of our own, an hon member of this House, a stalwart, a gentleman, a husband and a friend, Kenneth Sililo Mubu.
Kenneth was born in Lusaka, Zambia on 15 June 1953 to parents Mrs Enes Notulu and the late Mr Davison Mubu. Ken, as he was affectionately called, was a graduate of the University of Zambia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, majoring in English and geography. He also held a Master’s of Arts degree in Journalism and Public Relations from Ball State University in the USA and a postgraduate diploma in management from the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa.
In his early career, Kenneth taught journalism and public relations at the Evelyn Hone College of Applied Art and Commerce in Lusaka. In 1990, he moved to Geneva, Switzerland, working as editor of the Ecumenical Press Service, a news agency of the World Council of Churches, compiling and distributing news to agencies, publications and electronic media globally.
Mubu had also played a critical role in voter education in the first democratic elections within South Africa in 1994, informing communities of their voting rights. In 1995, Mubu was appointed as International Relations Officer at the University of Fort Hare. During his tenure at Fort Hare, a number of important projects were achieved on the continent, one of these being the Initiative for Capacity Enhancement in South Sudan, a project designed to train South Sudanese public officers in various civil service skills. By the end of 2008, over 1 500 officers had undergone the training programme.
Ken had served in the following portfolios before his untimely death: the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Co-operation, the Portfolio Committee on Labour, and the Portfolio Committee on Public Works.
Go well, thou faithful servant of the people of South Africa. God has you in his keeping, and we have you in our hearts. As we say thank you for your service and your hard work, please know that you have fought a good fight. You have lived your life. You have finished the race. You had faith. Finally, there is laid up for you the crown of righteousness. We will miss you. Goodnight, Kenneth. May your soul rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.]
Dr C Q MADLOPHA: Hon Speaker, Ministers and Deputy Ministers present, hon members, distinguished guests in the gallery, to the family of the late hon Kenneth Mubu, on behalf of the ANC, please accept our sincerest condolences on the loss of your loved one. Through working with him in Parliament and, in particular, in the Portfolio Committee on Public Works we are left with profound memories of his contribution, his dedication and commitment to the vision both he and his party had with regard to the work of Members of Parliament and Parliament.
We share with you in your time of sorrow and grief, knowing that the time of passing on is never predetermined, which makes being prepared for grief more difficult. He brought to Parliament the rich experience of his work in Africa, and he used this experience in the development of the work of Parliament.
We hold special memories of him. He was unique in his contribution, which was a reflection of his character, his vision and his passion. His was a life of service for the betterment of others, and this is how we should remember him. He strived, at all times, to improve qualitatively the challenges we faced together in the portfolio committee.
The hon Mubu joined the Portfolio Committee on Public Works in the Fifth Parliament. His engagement in the committee was measured and thoughtful and principled in application. His was not to oppose for the sake of opposing; neither did he desire to be popular, but rather he engaged with the content of the work. He was quick to give credit where it was due, and he was humble and showed great respect to his colleagues.
His interaction with the staff showed what a great and exemplary leader he was. He was solution based. He would not ask questions of the department without proposing solutions to those questions. He was a visionary leader, and carried out his work with pride right up until the time he took ill. He would never miss a meeting without submitting an apology.
His humour was unique. He shared jokes with the chairperson of the portfolio committee the hon Martins and Deputy Minister Cronin, creating a harmonious working environment without tension. His humour is something we should learn a lesson from: you don’t have to be antagonistic in arguing your point or your party’s point of view.
From his informed questions you could easily pick up that he read the presentations and did his own research on the contents of the work under consideration as he was new to the portfolio committee. Our condolences go to his family and his party, the DA. You have lost a man of measure and we trust you have learnt from him.
We shall, as the ANC, hold fond memories of his life with us. It is with great sadness that we say goodbye, but we are comforted that his contribution helped in the construction of our national democratic society. May his soul rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.]
Nks N P SONTI: Somlomo, siyi-EFF sidlulisa amazwi ovelwano kusapho lohloniphekileyo uKenneth Mubu, obelilungu le DA apha ePalamente. UKenneth Mubu besingamazi kakuhle kwaye singaboni ngeliso elinye ngenxa yendlela abahlalutya ngayo ezombangazwe bengumbutho we-DA. Singumbutho we-EFF siyavelana nosapho lwakhe kwakunye nombutho wakhe i-DA, kwilifu elimnyama elibehleleyo.
Sothukile xa sifumana imbalelwano evela kuMbhexeshi oyiNtloko we-DA esixelela ukuba singathathi nxaxheba kwisiphakamiso sokuvakalisa uvelwano namhlanje. UMbhexeshi oyiNtloko we-DA kunye namanye amalungu ale Ndlu yoWiso-mthetho basijonga ngolunya siyi-EFF xa siphikisana neziphakamiso eziphakanyiswayo kule Ndlu. Balibala msinyane kuba i-EFF yenza oku kuba amaLungu ePalamente aquka namalungu e-DA avumela ukuba kupasiswe umthetho wokukhuphela ngaphandle amalungu e-EFF xa kuthethwa iinyaniso zodwa.
Siyazi ukuba amagosa ongameleyo ale Ndlu abangathi ziimpumputhela kuyo yonke into eyinyaniso ethethwa yi-EFF. Siyi-EFF siyibona ingumnqa into yokuba i-DA inqande abantu okanye izikhethele iqela ekufuneka ligxwale emswaneni kwisiphakamiso sokuvakalisa uvelwano. Yinto engaqhelekanga ke kwantu le yenziwa yi-DA. Asixolisi tu siyi-EFF kwaye siya kuhlala siphikisana neziphakamiso eziphakanyiswa kule Ndlu ezingeyiyo inyaniso. Izolo oku umongameli we-EFF noyinkumanda eyintloko uJulius Malema ukhutshwe ngenkani apha zii-bouncers. Ibikhona i-DA ne-ANC bethe phuhlu amehlo. Bebefanele ke phofu ukuvumela ukupasiswa ... (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[Ms N P SONTI: Speaker, as the EFF we convey a message of condolence to the family of hon Kenneth Mubu, who was a member of the DA here in Parliament. We did not know Kennet Mubu very well and we did not see eye to eye with him because of the way they analyse politics as the DA. As the EFF our thoughts are with his family and his party the DA on the passing of their loved one and member.
We were shocked to receive correspondence from the DA’s Chief Whip to the effect that we must not participate in the motion of condolence today. The Chief Whip of the DA and other members of this House regard us with resentment when we oppose motions raised in this House as the EFF. They are quick to forget that the EFF does this because Members of Parliament, including members of the DA, adopted a rule that is aimed at removing members of the EFF when they speak the truth.
We know that Presiding Officers in this House turn a deaf ear to everything that is true that is said by the EFF. As the EFF we find it strange for the DA to stop people or to select parties to participate in the motion of condolence. This action by the DA goes against the values of Ubuntu. As the EFF we will not apologise and we will always oppose motions raised in this House that are not true. Just yesterday the president and chief commander of the EFF Julius Malema was forcibly removed by bouncers from the House. Members of the DA and the ANC sat there starry-eyed. Indeed to us it came as no surprise that they adopted ...]
The SPEAKER: Order! Order, hon members!
Nks N P SONTI: ... komthetho wokuvumela ii-bouncers zixhaphaze amalungu e-EFF rhoqo xa eveza amanyhundululu alo rhulumente. Siqinisekile ukuba ohloniphekileyo uBawo uMubu ebengasoze avumelane nombutho wakhe i-DA ukuba izikhethele iqela efuna ligxwale emswaneni xa kuthe kwakho ilingu elisishiyileyo. Ebeza kothuka kakhulu yindlela aziphethe ngayo uMbhexeshi oyiNtloko we-DA xa echophele lo mcimbi.
Sixhelekile singumbutho we-EFF ngokushiywa ngohloniphekileyo uMubu. Sithi, akuhlanga lungehlanga. Kusapho lwakhe, kumfazi wakhe uMama uNombulelo, abantwana uKenneth Junior noTari, sithi mabomelele bathembele kulowo wasidalayo uThixo. Ndiyabulela. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[Ms N P SONTI: ... a rule that permits the abuse of members of the EFF every time they expose corruption by this government. We are certain that Mr Mubu would not have approved of his party the DA selecting the parties to participate in motions of condolence. He would have been shocked at the behavior of the Chief Whip of the DA in handling this matter.
As the EFF we are deeply saddened at the passing of hon Mubu. We say, condolences. To his family, his wife Nombulelo and children Kenneth Junior and Tari, we say they must be strong and put their hopes in God who created us. I thank you.]
The SPEAKER: Hon members, I wish to take this opportunity to recognise the members of the family, who are in gallery, who have come to be with us on the occasion of this sad debate of condolences. However, we also want to acknowledge the pupils of the Bloemhof Girls High School of Stellenbosch in the gallery together with their teachers. May I call upon the hon Hlengwa. [Applause.]
Mr N HLENGWA: Hon Speaker, the hon Leader of the Opposition and the DA caucus, hon members and the Mubu family, I rise on behalf of the IFP to pay tribute to a colleague and friend who in my view has left us too soon, especially when we all expected him to continue doing so much more in this House, and well beyond its walls.
On hearing the news of Ken’s untimely death, my mind raced to a hymnal chorus which says: “There’s a race that I must run, there are victories to be won, Lord give me power, every hour, to be true.” Ken has run his race and won many victories. Importantly, Ken has remained true to his family, his political home, the DA, and to South Africa. Ken has remained true to his beliefs, convictions and principles, and that is a measure of a great man, a great man who has gone too soon. Indeed, he has run his race.
I pay a special tribute to Ken’s wife, Nombulelo, who I have had the pleasure of meeting him on several occasions and his children. I thank them for having been by Ken’s side in his last days, giving him the loving support he needed, but most importantly, for being the wind under his wings as he served our country. To them ...
... siyazithokozela kakhulu. [... we are very pleased for them.]
I will forever be indebted to Ken, who when I arrived in this Parliament as a 24-year-old bore the brunt of some colleagues, who believed that young people did not have a place in this Parliament. However, Ken took me through the ropes like a true colleague in the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, where we work together in the Fourth Parliament.
On a lighter note, Ken would at times refer to me as son-in-law as I often teased him that I would send “abakhongi” to negotiate “lobola” to take his daughter’s hand in marriage. In true style, he would laugh and dismiss my tease as nonsense. On oversight visits, the highlights were always Ken’s singing, of course, not the best singing but nonetheless very entertaining.
A worthy lesson to learn from Ken is that we can disagree without being rude or condescending, and that criticism need not be rooted in gutter politics. Ken was a great man, who may be gone today but will never be forgotten. His life is a rich legacy of dedication, humour and selflessness.
Ken in my view was a rare kind of gentleman who treated everybody with equality and respect. I am sad to bid farewell to a gentleman, a colleague and a true friend. May you all find comfort in 2 Corinthians 4:8 and 9 which reads:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed.
On behalf of the IFP, I convey the most heartfelt condolences to the Mubu family and the DA. May God be your strength and comfort during this time and find comfort knowing that you are not alone in your mourning, we are with you and we are praying with you.
Hamba kahle Ken ... [Farewell, Ken ...]
... and rest in God’s peace my friend. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr AM SHAIK-EMAM: Hon Speaker, hon members in the House, family members of the Mubu family and other guests, hon Kenneth Mubu, born in Lusaka, Zambia, was a man born of may facets. He was first and foremost a family man, a loving father and husband who loves spending time with his family, shouldering his fair share of cooking and shopping in the House. As a son of Africa, he had a passion for wildlife and eagerly immersed himself in the serenity of nature whenever he could take time out of his busy schedule. Above all, hon Mubu was passionate about everything he did in life, giving his all to succeed in whatever task he had set his mind to.
Hon Mubu was a scholar of note who held several degrees, postgraduate qualifications, diplomas and certificates which all bear testimony to his fine intellect. He started his earlier career as a lecture in journalism and public relations at the Evelyn Hone College in Lusaka before being appointed as a public relations officer for the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation in Kitwe, Zambia. Hon Mubu would spend several years in ecumenical service in Botswana and Switzerland working first for the Botswana Christian Council and later the World Council of Churches.
After his successful tenure at the World Council of Churches, hon Mubu joined the Diakonia Council of Churches in Durban, where he worked as media and publications co-ordinator. In 1994, he played a critical role in voter education for South Africa’s first democratic elections informing communities of their voting rights. Hon Mubu changed his career direction in 1995 when he was appointed as international relations officer at the University of Fort Hare.
In 1999, Hon Mubu was appointed manager for International Collaborations at Technicon South Africa in Johannesburg, and was later promoted to Head of Collaborations before election as Deputy Director for Africa in 2006. As a member of the DA parliamentary caucus, hon Mubu served as the shadow Minister of Public Works and previously shadow Minister of International Relations and Co-operation. He made his presence felt in the National Assembly with dignity which set an example for many to follow. Sadly, hon Mubu passed away on 31 August 2015, leaving behind his wife Nombulelo and children, Kenneth, Junior and Tari.
Today, we honour hon Mubu’s contribution to building South Africa’s constitutional democracy, through the various roles he held in his lifetime. On behalf of the NFP, we extend our deepest condolences to his wife Nombulelo and children, Kenneth, Junior, Tari and members of his family. To the DA, we extend our deepest condolences to you on the loss of such a committed, dedicated and valuable member of your team. I thank you.
Ms C N MAJEKE: Hon Speaker, hon members and the family, receiving news of the departure of one of the members of the National Assembly representing the DA, hon Kenneth Mubu, was with immense distress and profound sadness. His passing away robs us of one of the greatest soul, a quite visionary man, and an esteemed servant of the country.
The UDM expresses its shock by his passing on. We would like to pass our deepest condolences to his family, the DA, his friends and colleagues.
Kenneth Mubu was one of the extraordinary representatives of the people that had passion, constructive and level headed mind. He was a diligent and focused person to a level whereby his articulations in the House were not based on personalities and political allegiance, but on practical socioeconomic conditions confronting the poor people of South Africa.
His debate on the Budget Vote of the Department of Public Works on 6 May 2015, where amongst others; he persuasively encouraged the Minister to ensure with speed that an environment that enables other departments to deliver service to the ordinary citizens without hindrance is created. This was indeed eloquent.
He may have died, but his contributions as a member of the National Assembly will never be forgotten.
To his family, we want to say to you that you are alone in this deep sad moment. No one can take over the pain you feel. May the peace of the Almighty gracious God be with you? This will also pass.
The UDM cries with you and we know that the people of this country are also crying too. May his soul rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.]
Ms C DUDLEY: Madam Speaker, the ACDP was deeply saddened to hear of the ultimate death of the hon Kenneth Mubu, who died at the end of August. We would like to express our regret that the attempt by his party to have Parliament extend condolences and recognise his achievements was blocked by some members in the National Assembly.
While Kenneth Mubu was a serving member on the International Relations and Cooperation Portfolio Committee in Parliament, I had the opportunity of working with him in committee meetings and on oversight visits. I got to know him as a likeable person with a serious approach to his work, which demanded respect. I also knew him to be a Christian and at a time like this, there is some consolation in knowing he had a relationship with Jesus Christ and will have gone to be with his maker.
So often, it is at times like these that we actually get to know a little more about who we have worked with on a day to day basis. We get to hear who they have been before their busy time in Parliament. It is an honour and a privilege, but a little sad too.
On behalf of the ACDP, I convey our sincere condolences to the family of Mr Mubu, especially his wife and children, to his friends and colleagues and to the DA. I am sure he will be sorely missed. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr M S JAFTA: Hon Speaker, to the family of hon Mubu, the DA, friends and relatives, the AIC is deeply saddened by the loss of your loved one, your comrade, your friend and our colleague. Hon Mubu, as he departed from this earth, he has not truly left, for he is still alive in our hearts and minds. Through us, hon Mubu lives on. Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember our dearly departed.
It was an honour to have known a great person like hon Mubu. I knew him from the Portfolio Committee of Public Works. He was indeed a member the DA could trust. Today, the AIC believes should be both a sad and a happy day. Sad because of the loss that has occurred and happy because hon Mubu has reached his final destination in life and he is now united with the Lord and Saviour.
Loosing someone you love is nothing easy, but knowing that you have been part of his life must make you realised that you were blessed to have been able to share in his life before he went to rest in eternal salvation. After the tears have dried and goodbyes have been said, all you have to hold on to, are the happy memories that you have shared with hon Mubu and allow him to rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.]
Nkul N T GODI: Muchaviseki Xipikara xa Yindlu, eka vahisekeri va ntshuxeko xikan’we na vachaviseki hinkwavo, hi ku yimela nhlangano wa African People's Convention hi rhandza ku hundzisa marito yo chavelela eka vatirhikulobye, vanghana na vandyangu wa mutirhikulorhi loyi a hi siyeke, muchaviseki Kenneth Mubu. U vile xirho xa Yindlu leyi a ri na matikhomele lamanene na ku va na ku tinyiketela eka ntirho wa yena.
Ku hundza emisaveni ka mutirhikulorhi un’wana na un’wana swa hi khumba hinkwerhu, swi nga lungutisiwi hi ku ya hi ku hambana ka mihlangano, mafambiselo ya tiko kumbe mavonelo ku ya hi swa tipolitiki na mavonelo ya swa vutomi. Rifu i makumu ya un’wana na un’wana kambe lava khumbekaka swinene i vangati. Hi ri nhlangano wa APC hi ri a va amukeli. I ndlela ya hinkwerhu. (Translation of Xitsonga paragraphs follows.)
[Mr N T GODI: Honourable Speaker, political activists and all honourable members, on behalf of the African People’s Convention party we want to convey our message of condolences to the colleagues, friends and family of our colleague who passed on, honourable Kenneth Mubu. He was a member of this House who conducted himself properly and was committed to his work.
The passing on of each and every colleague of ours concerns us all, without focusing on political affiliation, government administration or political views and how we view life. Death is the pinnacle of everyone, but those who are mostly affected are blood relatives. As the APC party we wish that they accept it. It is everyone’s path.]
May his soul rest in peace! Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr S MOKGALAPA: Hon Speaker, on behalf of the DA I would like to thank all parties who participated and gave condolence speeches. Indeed, we, as the DA family are feeling a sense of deep loss. This gallant son of the soil and a brave soldier has fallen. We have lost a mentor, a brother, a colleague and a friend, the one we could always rely on for advice. He was intelligent and caring with a sense of humour. He was passionate and knowledgeable about African politics and global issues and politics.
There are many memories and stories I can share about my time with hon Mubu who I affectionately nicknamed “Bubu”. Allow me to share with you just two special ones. We together cut our political teeth in Parliament in 2009. I vividly remember our first political engagement where we had to prepare our first Budget Vote speeches for our department, Budget Vote of International Relations debate. We spent the entire evening exchanging notes and being nervous not knowing what to expect the next morning. However, what we had was our sense of solidarity and our camaraderie which carried us through the day.
The other memory I could share is our first attendance of the Heads of Missions Conference that includes over 150 diplomats and ambassadors from all of South Africa’s 126 embassies and missions abroad. We were so nervous because we only knew that it will be only the two of us from the DA but we soldiered on and it was a successful evening.
To the Mubu family I would like, on behalf of the DA family, to sends our deepest condolences and our collective grave loss. We will miss him, but his spirit and memories as well as our collective sense of common purpose, and of course, will remain with us forever and ever until we meet again in heaven. May the Lord God guide, soothe and strengthen you at this difficult time. Trust in the Lord for he is our saviour.
Robala ka kgotso senatla sa dinatla. [Rest in peace, giants of giants.]
I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The SPEAKER: That concludes the speakers’ list on this matter. I take it that there are no objections to the motion being adopted. Will members please rise to observe a moment of silence in memory of hon Mubu? Thank you.
The presiding officers associate themselves with the motion and indeed the transcript will be conveyed to the family so that they would have a record of the expressions of this afternoon. The last motion on the Order Paper is in the name of the Chief Whip of the Majority Party. The hon the Chief Whip of the Majority Party.
Agreed to, members standing.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move:
That the House, notwithstanding Rule 29, which provides for the sequence of proceedings, resolves that there will be no notices of motion and motions as referred to in Rule 97(g) on 21 October 2015.
Agreed to.
The SPEAKER: Hon members, the next item on the Order Paper is the statement by the Minister of Police on the killing of police officers. The hon the Minister.
The MINSTER OF POLICE: Hon Deputy Speaker, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, a conference of the leading European powers in Berlin in 1884 to 1885 divided the African continent and shared the pieces, colonies and dependencies amongst themselves.
Thus, the 20th century history is a history of the struggle of the Africans for the achievement of their freedom, their human rights and their dignity, as human beings. That just struggle produced the noble vision of one united, nonracial, nonsexist South Africa for our country.
Generation after generation, the people of our land have striven to reconfigure the political institutions of our country to create a better society, a better country in a better world.
To ensure that the vision of the birth of a just society is permanently on the national agenda, our Constitution of the Republic is anchored on the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing the right to life, human dignity and freedoms to all.
As the descendants of the heroines and heroes who gave birth to a just South Africa that belongs to all who live in it, on your shoulders, and indeed, those of the entire current generation, rests the responsibility to strive to realise in practice, our people’s rights and freedoms.
The murderers who kill members of our Police Service, as well as members of society, do not respect the will of millions of our people who, through their Bill of Rights, have, as human beings, the right to life. We need a revolution aimed at securing the right to life, not only in law, but also as part of our lived reality and experience.
The continued killing of members of the Police Service is an attempt to undermine the legitimate authority of the state. This calendar year, 60 members of the Service have been killed of whom 27 were killed on duty.
This is the extent of the ultimate pain criminals impose on families, taking away mothers and fathers, taking away breadwinners and loved ones, creating orphans and where there was hope, creating despair.
The permanent scars and pain etched on family members, relatives and friends cannot be undone, even as we work to lessen the impact through the various support programmes. Thus, current trends impose a responsibility on us to urgently come up with better strategies, to stop the further killing of members of the Police Service.
If we accept that each breadwinner takes care of 10 people on average, it means that based on the last financial year’s figures, 770 people will face difficulty.
The Constitution injuncts the Police Service to “prevent, combat and investigate crime, to maintain public order, to protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property and to uphold and enforce the law.” It is in carrying out this serious responsibility that at times, members of the Police Service have to pay the ultimate price.
Even though we make the distinction between those members who lose their lives whilst on duty and those who did because of the nature of the work of members of the police, that technical distinction holds limited significance.
Nevertheless, we shall make the point that most of the members of the police are killed while on duty. More than two-thirds, 71% of the killings that took place during the last financial year happened when police were responding to calls by the public. The summary is as follows: 45,7% were killed whilst attending to complaints such as robbery, hijacking and cash-in-transit; 11,4% were killed while trying to effect an arrest; 5,7% were killed while conducting searches of persons and motor vehicles; 5,7% were killed while pursuing suspects; 5,7% were killed while attending to domestic violence complaints; 2,9% were escorting suspects to police cells; 2,9% were victims of attacks on police stations; and 14,2% is the number for what is referred to as random killings.
The killing of one member of the Police Service is one too many. It deprives society of its capacity to protect and defend itself. And as the President has directed, we shall investigate all possible ways of defeating this evil scourge. We shall engage society to share with us its wisdom, as we look for ways and means to bring an end to police killings.
One member serves just around 360 people. The 60 members killed so far this year would have been responsible for the safety of approximately 21 480 people. The time gap between training and qualification means that the service a member provides is not immediately replaceable, even if another were to be employed.
The President has directed that a plan be developed and implemented immediately to stem the killings. We have taken heed of this instruction and have put in place measures under the auspices of the Police Safety Strategy.
The National Tactical Response Plan is to be implemented immediately. In this regard, the police will conduct onsite investigations assessing the circumstances under which members have been killed.
Station and relief commanders will ensure that directives and standing orders regarding safety are rigorously implemented. Inspections will take place to ensure that members have the right to safety gear and they will be briefed on all possible dangerous suspects and potential situations when reporting for duty.
Furthermore, there will be assessments of the environment to identify root causes as well as potential threats and trends, in order to enhance preventive measures. Security vulnerabilities of police station premises will be looked into with a view to strengthen safety.
These assessments will further assist the police to determine the modus operandi of perpetrators, threats to members and trends of criminal activity.
We have embarked on the profiling of suspects and the identification of high risk areas such as gang infested areas, of dangerous suspects and suspicious vehicles. We will enhance awareness among members to strengthen operational and psychological readiness on a regular basis.
We shall ensure that, at all times, there are adequate serviceable resources and equipment to support members of the police during deployments.
We are mindful of the urgent need to identify early warning signs of potential threats, stress, substance abuse, anger and relationship deficiencies. We shall make optimal use of the Employee Health and Wellness programmes to strengthen the psychological and emotional fitness of members on and off duty.
In the end, most of these measures will gravitate towards an overall plan to transform the Police Service, which means that the training provided will be assessed and where needed, new methods will have to be introduced.
On Sunday, 6 September 2015, His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma, joined hands with the families, relatives and millions in our country in paying tribute to the fallen gallant fighters for safety and security. This event allows the nation to demonstrate and express its deep sense of gratitude to the fallen members, their families, relatives and friends.
Together, we have travelled a long road to be where we are as a country today. However, ahead of us still lies a daunting task, which demands that we continue to act together to advance towards the full realisation of peace, justice and shared prosperity for the people of the country, foreseen by our forebears.
Our country has emerged from a long history of colonialism, political oppression and economic exploitation. We went through a long and difficult struggle. We were forced into a protracted war that would not only result in the defeat of white minority rule, but also in the eradication of a legacy that had, to all intents and purposes, defined Africa and Africans as outcasts of the human race.
The MINISTER OF POLICE: The democratic breakthrough of 1994 was a product of many heroic battles, and to realise the noble aspirations of our Constitution requires us to be prepared to fight many more. We must gradually continue give material content to our freedom. We have indeed used the 1994 victory to transform our country into a democratic state that has taken its rightful place among the family of nations.
The process towards the restoration of the dignity of all our people continues to unfold in earnest. We believe that we must build on these and many other developments by working together to promote our national interests and avoid acting in any manner that would undermine our common future and the common objective of building a better life for all our people.
Our fundamental and guiding principle must be the objective to move forward decisively to eradicate the legacy of racism, sexism, colonialism and apartheid. This central aim must inform the detailed work performed daily by all sectors of our society for the social transformation of our democratic state.
We shall continue to set ourselves bold but realistic targets to enable us to gauge the progress that we are making. This will have to encompass all aspects of our work, ensuring that we move forward in a balanced and integrated manner.
Much as we have travelled a long road to be where we are today, ahead of us still lies a daunting task which demands that we continue to act together to advance towards the full realisation of peace, justice and shared prosperity. The creation of a safe and secure South Africa is a central aspect of the national effort to ensure justice, lasting peace and development for our country and its people and future generations. Crime is an impediment to the entire national effort of creating a better life for all the people of our land.
The police have a duty to ensure safety for all, so that society may focus on its creative development endeavours. Accordingly, our society, together with its governance institutions, must unite in action and engage in a concerted and sustained effort aimed at defeating the scourge of police killings, and generally, murder in our society.
Our collective effort to transform ourselves from a pariah state to a progressive and democratic country is an experience whose value should be kept alive through emulation. We need to unite in action to isolate those who kill and maim in the pursuit of blood soaked material possessions.
The issue of the violent nature of crime in our society needs to be revisited. We have to ensure that there is serious and vibrant discussion with the aim of identifying the root causes and eliminating them. Platforms of social discourse have to place this matter on the agenda. Society must highlight the painful, emotional, economic and psychological scars imposed by murderers on families and communities.
We must pay tribute to the fallen members of our police service. It is indeed with a deep sense of sorrow and pain, and yet with pride, that we bid and bestow upon them, their final farewell and honour. The heroic example set by these daughters and sons of our soil shall forever serve as an inspiration within the ranks of our fearless fighters against crime, communicating the message that in defence of our people and their country, we shall give our all.
The government, and indeed the entirety of our country is saddened about these untimely losses, and shares the pain of the families. Whilst our departed members shall indeed be sorely missed, their contribution and commitment will forever remain a symbol of dedication and patriotism. In honour of our fallen heroines and heroes, let us engage in a revolution to secure in practice, the right to life. “Wabulala iphoyisa, ubulala isizwe”. Thank you very much, House Chairperson. [Applause.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Thank you very much hon Minister Nhleko. I just want to indicate - I’m sure some of you might be wondering as to when have the Minister of Finance become the Minister of Police. On your screens we have the face of hon Nene that is a mistake of the IT, and I want to apologise on their behalf. Thank you very much.
Ms D KOHLER: Chair, the Minister of Police tried time and again over the past two days to have this debate to honour South Africa’s murdered police officers cancelled. Thankfully, he, like most ANC Ministers, failed in his efforts.
I didn’t know any of these 61 police officers. I didn’t know their families or their children or their mothers or their fathers. However, I do know the families of people who have been murdered all over the country, and I know the devastation and the horror that this wreaks. Think of those people who kissed them goodbye every morning and prayed that they would come home safely, but worried endlessly that they wouldn’t. Think too, of their colleagues, who return to an office with an empty desk; of the loss of a friend who may have saved their lives on duty, with whom they shared their successes and their fears. Think too, of their community, with members quietly pleased that a police officer lived nearby, as though that would somehow steer the criminals that run like cockroaches through every street of our land away from their homes.
I do know that the officers we commemorate today who were on duty were doing it for all of us - to protect and defend us. These were people with brave hearts and such a generosity of spirit that they would give their lives for you or for me. I do know that the majority of them were off duty, but we all know that being a police officer is not just a job for them. It’s what they were. Police wear their uniform on the inside as well as on the outside, and they belong to the family in blue. It’s a tough job, and today, our officers are paying with their lives.
Of course, crime affects all of us. It takes away the people we love the most. It leaves us scared and angry. It brings out the worst in our society. It does this in communities around the country and it equally affects those brave police officers who work tirelessly, in the most difficult of circumstances, to fight it.
What our citizens don’t understand is that the overwhelming majority of our police are fine, upstanding, honest, fair men and women. Why is that? Why is it that today it is so difficult for South Africans to join with us here in the NA and with their families to feel the empathy we are renowned for?
Perhaps it’s because a third of our civilians are scared of the police. They run away from them, not to them, when there is trouble. If they are stopped at a roadblock, they expect to be robbed. If they are pulled aside, they expect to be manhandled, arrested on nonexistent charges, thrown into a van, taken on a terrifying joyride, thrown into a filthy cell and released without charge the next day. They expect to be raped!
Today, nearly half of South Africans feel there’s no point in reporting crime because they don’t trust our police. It is truly a Broken Blue Line. It’s been broken by cadre deployment. Think of Richard Mdluli. That era in crime intelligence has left our nation’s apparatus broken and ineffective, sending our officers out to risk their lives ...
THE HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Dididza): Order, hon members! Can you please converse a bit more quietly?
Ms D KOHLER: ... without the proper intelligence they need to protect themselves and ordinary citizens, alike.
These days, when the Department of Police annually releases its heavily massaged, outdated crime statistics, they carry no moral authority, whatsoever. They are only of use to analysts, not to civilians who need to protect themselves. Indeed, after years of bungled figures, such is the distrust of these statistics that respected analysts look elsewhere for results. The process will be repeated in about two weeks’ time, when, once again, the horrors of crime in our country will be spread across the front pages, as cities and towns vie for the dubious titles of “Murder Capital”, “Rape Capital” and “Fraudsters’ Capital of South Africa”.
As dodgy as these figures have become, the public perception of police is coloured, nonetheless, by them, and by the actions of the various revolving-door Police Ministers and National Police Commissioners – the latest one of whom has inevitably gone down the road followed by the previous two. The disgust we all felt when we saw her laughing as the families of these murdered officers wept on Police Day at the commemoration on Sunday was as strong as that we felt when she laughed while the film footage of the Marikana Massacre was shown at the Farlam Commission.
These are just some of the reasons that tilt the attitude and perception scales in terms of trust in our police. Add to that, daily reports of police criminality, and really, we have an almost unbreachable disconnect.
South Africans are, by nature, a caring nation. We feel deeply. Yet, the militarisation of our police, where they use apartheid-era Defence Force titles as though citizenry are the enemy to be hunted down and killed; and daily headlines of police members who rob, rape and torture have them asking themselves how and why they can and should cry for yet another dead police officer.
Well, being a police officer in South Africa is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. In Canada, three police officers are killed each year. A police officer here is five times more likely to be killed on duty than a counterpart in the United States. In South Africa, the count stayed over 200, year after year. Thankfully, it’s dropped. However, it is now on the increase again as, yesterday, two more were murdered and one man killed his wife and then committed suicide. So, 61 of our officers have been killed so far this year, with four months yet to go. We have to ask ourselves, Why?
Our murder rate dropped after 2003 from 48 right down to 42, in 2012. Today, however, it’s risen up to 47 again. So basically, we are back to where we started at the launch of our democracy. What is difficult to understand is that our officers are more likely to be killed while off duty than while on duty. That was true in 2003 and it’s true today.
Now, has the Minister instructed the Civilian Secretariat to drop everything to do the research and determine why this is? Has he ploughed the necessary funds from his R73 billion budget to fix a broken Crime Intelligence Unit? Does the SA Police Service, SAPS, know what to do about lethal crime? With a R73 billion budget, the SAPS should be ashamed to admit that no, it doesn’t have an answer. They must admit they are clueless.
Are these officers targeted because they are police out of uniform or because they try to tackle crime while off duty? Are they mainly inexperienced? Are they barely-trained constables? Are they targeted for their firearms? Why are our experienced officers being executed? Is it tied in with gang rituals?
Calls are being made - the most recent, by the President - for officers to fight back. I assure you there is no one in this Chamber who should believe that a police officer will stand with his or her arms at their side and wait to be shot and killed. That is deeply insulting.
Every effort must be made to bring these deaths down. The sad reality is that 40 000 of our operational members have failed their firearm competency tests or do not have competency certificates. When it hit 20 000, there was a leaked report from horrified SAPS members. Then it hit 30 000, and it was all fudged by management. It is a major failure. How many of these murdered officers had had recent firearm training? How many had had refresher courses in safety tactics? How many of these deaths must we lay at the feet of an inefficient Department of Police?
Most police offices, globally, require operational members to requalify in firearm competency twice a year. Here, it is becoming the norm for armed officers simply not to have a competency certificate, which means they are breaking the law. How many are proficient in hand-to-hand combat, the utilisation of nonlethal means? Why don’t they carry batons? That is the international norm. Does this not lead them to escalate from a verbal warning to shooting, with no pause in between? Why do they work 12-hours shifts but are supposed to be 100% vigilant? It is not possible.
The DA proposes our members are trained for every eventuality, in terms of international best practice. To do that would be the best tribute we could pay to these brave men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty and while off duty. Every possible resource must be used to stop these killings, because police lives matter. [Applause.]
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nksz A T Didiza): Masingabheki ukuhloba komuntu. Uhlobile namhlanje ubaba uNjomane. Ngiyabona nonke nichazekile. Umuhle Njomane, kuwe baba. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[The HOUSE CHHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Let us not concentrate on a person’s clothing. You have dressed up to the nines today, hon Njomane (Clan name). I can see that you are all pleased about that. You are well dressed, hon Njomane (Clan name.), over to you, sir.]
Mr T W MHLONGO: House Chairperson, so if they were to thrive, men and women of nobility must sit back and do nothing? And our position as the EFF is to the opposite.
Mr G S RADEBE- Chair, I have a point of order. Is it parliamentary for the hon member there to wear such kind of ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (MS AT Didiza): Order hon member but that is not a point of order. Can you take your seat?
Mr T W MHLONGO: The first public address by Mr Zuma of the ANC, in the ANC rally at the Jabulani Amphitheatre, after the fateful political tragic conference of the ANC in Polokwane, [Interjections.] saw a strange call by Zuma on remilitarisation of police. Indeed, military ranks were reintroduced and police re-employed brutal tactics in crime combating of which the record speaks for itself where senseless gruesome acts have been committed since then. In 2011 alone, the former Minister of Police Nathi Mtheththwa, who was part of the politicians who conspired to commit murder against our workers in Marikana, reported that after three years of Mr Zuma being in office,
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (MS AT Didiza): Order, hon member. Can you take your seat?
Mr T W MHLONGO: more than ...
Mr G S RADEBE- Chair, I have a point of order. The speaker has just said a member of this House has conspired to murder people in Marikana, hon Nathi Mthethwa is unparliamentary. I think he must withdraw that.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon member Njomane, did you make the statement as referred to?
Mr T W MHLONGO: Indeed it’s like that.
HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon member Njomane, you know that when you want to bring a substantive motion with regard to the allegations on the member, you do so through a motion. And at the moment you haven’t done so. I would ask you to withdraw.
Mr T W MHLONGO: Can I be allowed to proceed Madam Speaker? [Interjections.]
HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order. Hon member you can proceed after you have withdrawn.
Mr T W MHLONGO: How do I withdraw when a person was a Minister?
HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order, hon member, if you want to bring a substantive motion on that matter, you will have to do so in a motion but for now, making it glibly in your statement in your statement, is unparliamentary and I’m asking you to withdraw.
Mr T W MHLONGO: Well ...
... sengizwile, angidlule -ke. [... well, I heard you, let me proceed then.]
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nksz A T Didiza): Cha, sikuzwile nathi Njomane kodwa -ke kufuneka ukuhoxise lokho okushilo.
Mnu T W MHLONGO: Kulungile, hhayi ngizwile-ke Sihlalo
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nks A T Didiza): Cha Njomane asizwane, hoxisa nje bese uyaqhubeka.
Mnu T W MHLONGO: Angithi-ke, angihoxise kodwa bazwile. [Ubuwelewele.]
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nksz A T Didiza): Cha, hoxisa Njomane
Mnu T W MHLONGO: Ohho, hhayi ngiyahoxisa-ke.
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nksz A T Didiza): Qhubeka –ke (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)
[The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): No, we have also heard you, hon Njomane (Clan name.), but then you must withdraw what you have said.
Mr T W MHLONGO: It is fine, I have heard you then, hon Chair.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): No, hon Njomane (Clan name.), let us understand each other here, just withdraw and proceed.
Mr T W MHLONGO: Well then, let me say I am withdrawing but they have heard it. [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): No, withdraw hon Njomane (Clan name.).
Mr T W MHLONGO: Oh yeah, I withdraw then.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Proceed then.]
Mr T W MHLONGO: It is not surprising that the police killings have increased drastically after all it was the former Commissioner of Police, Bheki Cele who lacked the skills, talent, vision and leadership qualities required to comprehend the responsibilities of policing, who went around employing cowboy tactics, calling the police to shoot to kill, instead our men and women in blue became the victims because of such an irresponsible call.
When crime increases, mostly in our townships and rural areas, instead of strategic policing-because Mr Zuma does not know what he is doing, he did the most irresponsible thing a leader could ever do. While we are calling for a gun-free South Africa, he gave more guns and bullets to the men and women in blue as if they were being deployed into combat and battle.
We have long entered a new phase in South Africa where Mr Zuma started solving every problem with guns and bullets, leaving our men and women in blue, who did not sign up for war but who now find themselves in a war, something that could have been easily prevented. When people in Relela community protested for water, instead of political leaders taking the initiative, police were used to massacre those people. When people in Mothutlung community went on a service delivery protest, it was the police who were used, by the politicians-failing to deliver sanitation and water, to kill our people. When Andries Tatane led a service delivery protest in Ficksburg, it was the police who were used by the politicians who were failing to deliver houses to our people and Andries Tatane died tragically there. It is ...
Mr G S RADEBE: Chair, I have a point of order. Is the hon member prepared to take a question?
Mr T W MHLONGO: Awu, awungiyeke wena ngalento yakho mani, hawu! [Ubuwelewele.] [Geez, stop nagging me about your stuff, please!]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (MS AT Didiza): He is not prepared. Take your seat.
Mr T W MHLONGO: ... the politicians who have turned the community against the police and it is the politicians who have left the police without a choice but to think they must shoot to kill in order to police the society. When the police dragged the late Mozambican Mido Macia behind a moving van and killed him.
Mr N S MATIASE -Madam Chair, I rise on a point of order, precisely because you have tolerated the disruption to a member who is on the platform for frivolous points of which were unnecessary and you did not hold your time for our member not to be deprived of his right to speak. Can you please allow our member the right to speak?
HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order, hon member. Order hon members, hon member, when there are interjections or points of orders the time is stopped and when that has finished we then proceed with the time. So the member has had has had all his three minutes, 11 seconds in addition. Thank you very much. Hon Njomane?
Mr M M DLAMINI- Chair, on a point of order, you’re saying has had three minutes but it says four minutes here. Can he speak for four minutes?
HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order, hon member. The member has had all his minutes.
Yebo bab’ uNjomane, nawe bheka eceleni kuwe ukuthi isikhathi sithini. Ngiyabonga Njomane. [Yes, hon Njomane (Clan name), you can also look on your side to look at the time. I thank you, Njomane.]
Mr T W MHLONGO: Thank you very much.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Ngibongile Njomane. [Thank you, Njomane (Clan name).]
Mr M A MNCWANGO: Hon Chairperson, just yesterday, we heard of the killing of another two police officers in Dobsonville, Soweto. They came under fire by a gang of heavily armed men. Some of these men were armed with R5 automatic weapons. Never in the history of this country, have our policemen and women been so under threat, just by virtue of the fact that they are wearing blue uniform of community safety, security and policing.
Lawlessness, the Tsunami of which seems to be rising daily, is not receiving any kind of adequate response from the government. Firm and decisive steps must be taken to root out and place behind bars for a long time these criminal elements who are seeking to destroy the very fabric of our society.
Our citizens are not safe. Crime is repent and on the increase and this is affecting us all. On Tuesday an IFP parliamentary staff member was assaulted at gun point in Nyanga in an attempted robbery of her mobile cell phone.
Criminals walk the streets openly with unregistered fire arms in broad day light. Communities live in fear too, because they are scare to speak out. This has only emboldened the criminals who now have our SAPS officers in their side. So far this year we have lost 60 police officers. May their souls rest in peace?
And if we don’t respond to these appropriately and decisively, we will see more police officers being targeted. We will see more police murders. We will see a heavily fuelled anarchy fire storm brew, the likes of which we have not yet seen in South Africa. This is undoubtedly an attack on the very heart of the South African state and democracy. This must not be allowed to gain traction.
The IFP resolutely calls, as we had in the past for, the establishment in each province of special crimes against police courts. The National Prosecuting Authorities, immediate prioritisation of police killings statute enabled severe criminal sanction for those found guilty of crime against police officers as well and all out campaign to read this country of illegal fire arms, gangs and gangsterism. There must be a zero tolerance policy in this regard. I thank you.
Mr A M SHAIK-EMAM: Hon Chair, the South African Police is the thin blue line which stands between our treasured democracy and anarchy. It is our last line of defence against criminal lawlessness. It is a line that is stretched almost breaking point right now with a relentless on slaught against our uniform men and women, who put their lives at risk daily to protect us and enforce the law.
To date, more than 60 police officers have been killed in South Africa this year with three out of every five killed off duty. Our state President recently urged police to defend themselves within the confines of the law, which is correct and yet the NFP believes that we need to take a hard look. At this lodge we set the parameters within which our police officers must operate.
The Criminal Procedure Act and section 49 in particular deserves close scrutiny for limitation it places on the right and ability of police officer to defend themselves against ruthless criminals. This limitation is extremely onerous, whilst on paper the circumstances where police are allowed to use deadly force may seem reasonable.
The truth is that, decision have to be made in split seconds, because there s no space or latitudes for second guessing. While it is easy for the course to wrestle with the laws laid down in the Constitutional Court case of S versus Walters, when pronouncing whether a police was entitled to use deadly force or not. The officer on the ground doesn’t have the luxury of time to ponder such challenges and must make a judgement co-right there and then.
The right to life is precious and protected by our Constitution but it can’t be so at the expense of law and order and at the expense of our police officers. We believe that aiming a gun at a police officer is a defector display of an intention to kill and we also believe that police must be enabling to re-legislation to respond with the maximum force the law allows, without the inevitable sword of prosecution and may be investigation by the independent power police investigative directives hanging over their heads.
We agree with suggestions that police must stop operating alone but in pairs of groups and we also agree that all our police officers must be equipped with bullet proof, because as yet when we look at those police officers who are killed, it is noticeable that most died because of shots to the head and to the neck. The criminals are aware that police use bullet proof verse and have adjusted the killing methods accordingly.
We also need to look at other issues such the low moral amongst police officers, poor salaries, difficult working conditions and challenges of promotions to understand the complexity of killing of our police officers. Very often this sector contributes to police members being drawn into a web of corruption and collusion with criminal elements which put the lives of the colleagues at it.
In conclusion, the NFP is in favour of legislative amendments to make it easier for police officers to defend themselves and encourage all South Africans to support our police members and appreciate that thin blue line which serve and protect ... I thank you. [Time expired.]
Ms C N MAJEKE: Chairperson, the on slaught against police officers calls for a number of interventions. Amongst others is a need to insist that anyone becoming a National Commissioner must have a certain amount of police operational experience, and many of those can be found from within the police service. This should be link with the need to have the National Police Commissioner chosen by a special majority in Parliament, in the same way it is done when appointing the Inspector General of Intelligence.
Local policing forums should be more representative of the people with added capacity in order for them to play a more practical role in assisting the work of the police in the safety of all citizens.
The killing of police demands that the leaders of the police double their work in improving the overall management of the use of force by police officers. Threatening harsh sanctions against police murderers and encouraging police to use more force in their interaction with criminal suspects is unlikely to improve officer’s safety. It will play into systematic police brutality which will cause civilians to become fearful and less cooperative with the police.
Police leadership urgently needs to start focusing on improving the strategic management and internal accountability capacity that will support professional policing. Police members need to be prepared, able to confront dangerous criminals, defend themselves and the citizens who are using lethal force.
They need the necessary skills and confidence to handle complexities, they confront in the daily engagement with the public, while enforcing the law against all criminals. There is also an urgent need to mobilise communities and improve the public trust in police, decrease police corruption and brutality.
South Africa wants a police force that can be trusted, because its leaders are beyond approach and its members are widely recognised with professional, respectful and accountable to the needs of the communities they serve. UDM say stop police killing now. A police officer is your brother, your sister, you uncle, your mother and your father and indeed a human being too. I thank you.
Mr S N SWART: Hon House Chairperson, the ACDP shares the sense of shock and outrage felt about the high number of police officers killed this last year. We would like to express our condolences to all those families and friends who have lost their loved ones and colleagues in the line of duty, including two detectives murdered in Dobsonville yesterday.
The brazenness of the attacks on police officers leaves one shocked and to a certain extent, disturbed. Clearly, far more needs to be done to protect our police officers. We welcome the National Tactical Response Plan that has been developed to immediately respond effectively to the murders of police officials, but that is sadly after the fact that they have been murdered. We need to see attacks on the police as attacks not only on the state, but indirectly as attacks on us as citizens.
Yesterday’s shootout in Dobsonville, Soweto, in which two detectives were killed, adds to this long list. What makes yesterday’s attack more alarming is that these two detectives were specifically targeted and almost hunted down, then callously shot with their police dockets and service pistols stolen in a very clearly and carefully calculated operation.
It is apparent that criminals are becoming more brazen in these attacks. We cannot have a situation where our protection officers are unable to protect themselves, let alone the public at large. Police officers, including detectives, must wear their bullet proof vests at all times and take steps to ensure their physical safety.
We must also ensure that police officials are properly equipped and trained to withstand these vicious onslaughts. Effective counselling services must also be available to help these police officers to deal with traumatic and depression-inducing crime scenes as well as seeing their colleagues wounded or targeted in the line of duty.
Lastly, the ACDP would like to suggest that communities adopt local police stations to support those police officers with prayers for protection and to meet their other needs, or merely just to express thanks for the good service they provide in that community. Let us stand with the blue line; let us encourage them for they are the frontline when it comes to fighting crime. Let us remember them in our thoughts, prayers and action. I thank you.
Mr N T GODI: Hon House Chair, comrades and hon members, the APC joins the House in supporting the statement of the Minister and the sentiments expressed in the House thus far in condemning the killing of police officers. We stress here that the killing of the police is unacceptable. We all must raise our voices against the killing of police officers.
The APC agrees with the Minister that the right to life must not just be a constitutional provision but must be central in the popular psychology of the people in this country. For as long as the right to life and the respect for life is merely a legal matter, the declassed elements in our society will respect nobody’s life, including that of police officers.
The killing of police officers is particularly worrisome for they are the ones responsible for maintaining law and order. If this is not urgently addressed, it would negatively affect the capacity of the state to safeguard the life and property of all citizens.
Police officers, the Ministry and the department must feel that as Parliament we care about their wellbeing. We condemn police killings and support all their efforts to identify and eliminate all risks to the lives of our officers. Our communities need to be mobilised in support of the police, strengthen community policing forums and take good care of our reservists. This will create the necessary environment for safer communities.
We pledge our solidarity with the families of the deceased officers.
Mr J J MAAKE: House Chairperson, Ministers and my colleagues. Every society and community needs to be protected. It is the duty of every government to do so. Governments are there to see to the safety and comfort of its citizens. The instruments that it uses are the defense and police forces. In a situation where the defenders of our people have been targeted by criminals, not only the government but every one of us needs to stand up and put a stop to this abomination.
The president has called for a more active citizenry to enhance the quest to fight all types of crime that endanger and undermine human rights. He went further to say that in South Africa active citizenry was yet to be fully exercised to advance the course of drastic crime curbing.
For us to make even more meaningful inroads in the fight against crime as the people, we need to fully activate our sense of community and each play our role in supporting the law enforcement officers of the Southern African region and even further afield. The president emphasized that in any country, the heinous murder of law enforcement officers can never be supported, condoned or overlooked.
In our own documents as the African National Congress, we are saying that there seems to be a growing tendency towards attacks directed at law enforcement officers. This is a phenomenon that would require the attention of the security cluster with a view to ensuring that the law enforcement officers gain necessary respect from the population of South Africa whilst respectfully providing services to them. Madam Chairperson, if we have a situation in this country where thugs would raid a police station in order to steal weapons, where thugs would hold police up and take their weapons in broad daylight, it is clear that our strategies and tactics in dealing with this type of crime must have a total overhaul. The Minister has come up with a blueprint to totally change the landscape in the sphere of policing. Our people need to be safe and feel free.
In my previous speech on the budget vote, I specifically dealt with this issue when I said that as a society we need to protect our protectors. I said that the killing of our police officers needs to be treated differently. The punishment must be different, the prison must be different and the food in prison must be different. No privileges must be allowed to these animals. We need to a have special course for this crime. Special prosecutors must be selected to deal specifically with cases of police murderers.
On two occasions, the Portfolio Committee called the leadership of the police in order to engage with them on the issue. We have noted the genuine efforts they are doing in order to end these act of barbarity. South African Police Services, SAPS, is introducing new technology in trying to curb this scourge. Analogue radio provides talk group operations where all members are alerted simultaneously of emergencies. SAPS, is migrating to modern digital radio communications with advanced police specifications. Digital radio-based panic alarm facility is being put to use, it includes Global Positioning System location, GPS, location delivery to the control room. However, the police must also do their part in being disciplined in their work. They must wear their protective clothes, stopping corrupt activities, etc.
The security of the country is not something to argue and grandstand about. It talks about people’s lives. Those that maintains the security, those that goes out whether dark or raining or both, those that go out whether it’s winter or summer, whether windy or snowing. We must therefore agree when it comes to the security of the country. No grandstanding with the safety, security and protection of our citizens. We need to change our mindset and be patriotic for the sake of the fatherland or motherland or “vaderland” [my country.].
Police have families and assets like any of us, but we forget about it when we move around in safety and comfort. The safety and comfort created for us by our own boys and girls, men and women in blue, who always put their lives on the line for us, protecting our assets when they themselves have none, secure our safety, security and comfort whilst they have none. They never complain. We always regard them as some instruments or objects for our own protection. Theirs is just to do and die. Theirs isn’t to ask the reason why. For our good, even the opposition, whether in blue t-shirts or red overalls, they are always there, ready to serve. [Interjection.]
The House Chairperson (Ms AT Didiza): On a point of order: Hon member, can you take your seat.
Mr N S MATIASE: Can a member take a complimentary question?
Mr J J MAAKE: Not from anybody in a red overall. [Applause.]
The House Chairperson (Ms AT Didiza): Hon member, he is not taking your question.
Ms E N LOUW: On a point of Order: House Chairperson, I would like to check with you whether it is parliamentary for the hon member to have 12 minutes for a speech like that? Worse is that he is saying nothing.
The House Chairperson (Ms A T Didiza): That’s not a point of order. Hon Maake, please proceed.
Mr J J MAAKE: Doesn’t the opposition run to them when they are in trouble? We must therefore, as South Africans give permission to our men and women in blue to exercise maximum force with regard to these thugs, on behalf of the South African citizens. Madam Chairperson, I wouldn’t like to answer to some of the things that were said by the opposition because we are talking about death. I would like to agree with the Inkatha Freedom Party, IFP, on the establishment of special courts. I would also agree with the National Freedom Party, NFP, that the police must use maximum force when it comes to this type of crime.
ANC CONGRATULATES 26 MEMBER BLACK MAMBA ANTI-POACHING UNIT
(Member’s Statement)
Mr Z S MAKHUBELE (ANC): Madam Chair, the ANC congratulates the 26 member Black Mamba antipoaching unit for being awarded the United Nations’ top accolade, the Champions of the Earth award. This was announced on Monday, 7 September 2015, and the award will be handed to the unit by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Banki Moon, in New York on 27 September 2015. The Black Mambas are the shining example of the promise by government, the private sector and communities to eradicate rhino poaching in South Africa.
The ANC and all South Africans salute these young women from communities close to the Balule Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park who have shown dedication and commitment to the conservation of our natural world. The unit, not only focuses on conducting antipoaching operations, but also educates communities in the area on the benefits of conservation and rhino protection. Much has been said of involving communities in conservation. The ANC commends the Department of Environmental Affairs under Minister Edna Molewa on introducing the environmental monitor’s programme initiative. The department is working with various stakeholders including other government departments and South African National Parks, SANParks, to create economically viable models to make communities ... [Time expired.]
WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT CONGRATULATED ON CHRYSALIS ACADEMY
(Member’s Statement)
Mr Z N MBHELE (DA): Chairperson, the DA congratulates the Western Cape government for the successful outcomes achieved by its pioneering youth empowerment intervention called Chrysalis Academy established in 2000 under the DA provincial government. The academy is a highly effective social crime prevention and youth development programme targeting youth at risk between the ages of 17 and 25. Created in response to the prevalence of substance abuse and an active gang culture in many communities in Cape Town, it empowers its beneficiaries to steer away from crime, drugs and gangsterism to become socially responsible adults and strong positive community leaders.
The academy has been recognised on a national level as one of the first recipients of the gold Ministerial award offered by the Ministry of Social Development for its excellence in youth development. In 2014-15 the academy saw 600 students achieve an impressive 96% pass rate and 88% job placement rate. Through its success the Chrysalis Academy shows the DA-led Western Cape government’s commitment to be an innovative leader in addressing contributing factors to crime as well as a trailblazer in youth development. [Applause.]
EFF ADOPTS MALEKUTU HIGH SCHOOL IN LIMPOPO
(Member’s Statement)
Mr P G MOTEKA (EFF): Hon Chair, the commander in chief of the EFF, president in waiting, Julius Sello Malema, instructed EFF Members of Parliament, MPs, to be real servants of the people, to be part of the communities, appreciate the struggles of the people around them and, where possible, provide solutions or work with them to find solutions on issues they are dealing with. Heeding the call, as an MP of EFF, I have adopted Malekutu High School in Limpopo, a school where I did my secondary education. Working tirelessly with the school leadership we have embarked on a number of projects that will see the school becoming one of the best schools in the region.
Together with the school management we have forwarded an application for the construction of a multipurpose sports court facility on Malekutu High School’s premises. And according to an update from the officials, the application is already going through the processes. We are hoping and praying for positive results. Last year, we also led a project of painting the school – all blocks painted inside and outside. If the above mentioned application can be approved, communities around Mamone will benefit a lot as they will have access to play on the school’s sports court. In fact the whole Makhuduthamaga subregion shall be the beneficiaries of the facility. This is just but one of those many communities on the ground to which the EFF is delivering. [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Hon member, your time is up.
Mr P G MOTEKA (EFF): The community of Sekhukhune will benefit from the works of the EFF. Thank you.
UNVEILING OF MR JANUARY “CHE” MASILELA’S TOMBSTONE
(Member’s statement)
Ms D D RAPHUTI: The ANC applauds the family of the comrade January “Che” Masilela, the South African Communist Party, SACP, the uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association, MKMVA, the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality for unveiling a tombstone in commemoration of our late hero and top civil servant, Comrade “Che.”
"Che" Masilela left South Africa in 1975 to train as a soldier to fight the repugnant system of apartheid. After the unbanning of the ANC in 1990, he selflessly contributed in the rebuilding of the ANC structures and the reorganization of the new democratic state since 1994.
Masilela was famously known as “Member” in his hometown of Middelburg and also well-known as "Che” within the alliance movement and he passed away in 2008. May his soul continue to rest in peace. As the ANC, we are also grateful that there is a road named after him in Tshwane and the ANC provincial office in Mpumalanga is correctly named the “Che” Masilela House. I thank you. [Applause.]
TEENAGE PREGNANCY
(Member’s statement)
The IFP wishes to place on record its grave concern with the recent Statistics SA report which revealed that more than 99 000 teenagers fell pregnant in 2013. The data forms part of its general household research which showed that teenage pregnancy has been on the increase over the past three years.
The IFP believes that teenage pregnancy is a national disaster. These sentiments were echoed by the Department of Education in Gauteng when MEC Panyaza Lesufi labelled the latest figure a crisis and unheard of in the history of the country. The IFP believes that Minister of Basic Education and her department must ensure pupils are taught the inherent responsibilities of having a baby whilst at school as part of their school curriculum to curb teenage pregnancy.
However, other underlying factors must also be urgently addressed such as teachers who impregnate their pupils, gender-based violence and the fact that government seems to be endorsing risky behaviour by supplying our children with condoms at schools. Furthermore, the IFP ... Thank you. [Time expired.]
ANC TARGETING PENSION FUNDS
(Member’s statement)
Adv A D ALBERTS: Voorsitter, geluide wat die ANC regering oor pensioenfondse maak, raak al hoe meer onheilspellend, veral gesien teen die agtergrond van die verwoestingswerk betreffende Transnet se twee fondse. Die ANC se voorsitter in Gauteng, Paul Mashatile, het onlangs die gevaarligte hieroor laat flikker toe hy gesê het dat die ANC met sy volgende algemene raadsvergadering in Oktober vanjaar na maniere sal kyk om werkers meer te bemagtig deur aan te dui hoe en waar hul pensioengeld belê moet word. Volgens Mashatile is dit ʼn poging om Suid-Afrika se ekonomie te transformeer.
Dit is ongelukkig ʼn feit dat die ANC Suid-Afrika die afgelope 21 jaar tot op die rand van ekonomiese ineenstorting getransformeer het. Ons ekonomie huiwer tans op die rand van rommelstatus. Wat nou gebeur, het die VF Plus lank reeds voorspel. Die ANC se geld raak op en nou word pensioene geteiken. Dit raak al hoe meer duidelik dat die ANC niks anders is as 'n Marxistiese organisasie wat deur sluipwetgewing regkry wat Mugabe openlik gedoen het. Bietjie vir bietjie word eiendomsreg vernietig en vind herverspreiding plaas terwyl die regering eintlik die omgewing behoort te skep vir die ekonomie om te groei en te ontwikkel.
Die VF Plus sal enige inmenging in Suid-Afrika se pensioenfondse met mening teenstaan en self sorg dat daar gelitigeer word indien nodig. Ons sê vir die ANC, los ons pensioenfondse uit! Dankie. (Translation of Member’s statement follows.)
[Adv A D ALBERTS: Chair, remarks made by the ANC concerning pension funds becomes more ominous, especially seen against the background of the destructive actions against the two Transnet funds. The chair of the ANC in Gauteng, Paul Mashatile, recently got the warning bells ringing in this regard when he remarked that the ANC will look at ways to empower workers more at their next general council meeting in October by indicating how and where their pension money should be invested. According to Mashatile this is an attempt to transform South Africa’s economy.
Unfortunately it is a fact that the ANC transformed South Africa over the past 21 years to the brink of economic collapse. At present our economy hovers on the brink of junk status. What the FF Plus already predicted long ago is now taking place. The money of the ANC is decreasing and pensions are now been targeted. It is becoming all the more obvious that the ANC is nothing else but a Marxist organisation which succeeds by means of stealthy legislation compared to what Mugabe blatantly did. Bit by bit property rights are destroyed and redistribution is taking place whilst the government should actually be creating the environment for the economy to grow and to develop.
The FF Plus will oppose any interference in the pension funds of South Africa doggedly and take it upon itself to litigate if required. We say to the ANC, leave your hands off our pension funds! I thank you.]
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HLAYISANI CENTRE OF HOPE AT BHUGA
(Member’s statement)
Mr T Z KHOZA: The ANC commends Pastor Muhari Sekwane of Holiness Union Church at Bhuga trust in Mpumalanga Province, for playing a huge role in the establishment of Hlayisani Centre of Hope at Sifunindlela trust in ward 35 of the Mbombela Local Municipality.
The opening of the centre was attended by Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms H I Bogopane-Zulu, at the invitation of the church and she also participated in social development projects in the area. This is an area plagued by a high prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence.
Pastor Sekwane has provided, a safe house aptly named the White Door House of Hope which will serve as a service delivery centre for victims of sexual abuse and gender-based violence. The MTN SA foundation renovated the house while many other stakeholders also committed and contributed in various ways.
The centre will also provide nutritious meals on a daily basis to more than 500 poor, young and older people who are not beneficiaries of any social grant. The centre also houses a women’s co-operative which solely focuses on sewing. This women’s co-operative will supply school uniforms to the surrounding schools through SA Social Security Agency, SASSA.
Semukela nemgwaco longe-6km lojikeleta esabelweni iBoschfontein, kaMbambiso ewadini le-23 ngaphasi kwemkhandlu iNkomazi Local Municipality. [We also acknowledge a 6km long road that is winding through Boschfontein homeland, at Mbambiso ward 23 under Nkomazi Local Municipality Council.]
Siyi-ANC, siyaqhuba. [As the ANC, we are moving forward.]
I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TURNS DOWN SCHOOL BUILDING DONATION
(Member’s Statement)
Mr N T GODI (APC): Chair, as I was saying on Tuesday before I was cut short, the community of Huntington is left wondering why the Mpumalanga provincial Department of Basic Education is reluctant to register the school, Kurhula Secondary School, where government will not pay a cent for its construction. Speculation comes in. There are about six or seven busses paid by the government to ferry students to Mabarhule High School in Lilydale. I was told that most of them lie idle as not all are used. But I suspect that government pays for all of them. I don’t know who has the contract.
The community is having a meeting today at 16h00, where the regional programme director of the Africa Foundation is going to inform them that unless there is a successful intervention, the donors are likely to negatively review their financial commitment by the end of next week.
As the APC we appeal to the Minister of Basic Education to urgently assist the process. The community and students must not miss out. It is such a crying shame. The people of Huntington deserve better. Thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Thank you very much hon member, I didn’t know that there was a to be continued, TBC, on statements.
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
(Member’s Statement)
Nkul X T MABASA (ANC): Mutshamaxitulu, mfumo wa ANC wu ndhundhuzela Ndzawulo ya swa Rihanyu ya Gauteng ku va yi tekile magoza yo tumbuluxa National Health Insurance eChiawelo, eSoweto, tanihi purojeke yo humelerisa xivono xa National Health Insurance (NHI) etikweni hinkwaro. Tliliniki ya NHI yi pfuna vaaki va Senaone, Phiri, Mapetla, Protea na Chiawelo. Leswi i vumbhoni bya leswaku ku nga ri khale NHI yi ta humelela eka purojeke leyi. Vavabyi va tshunguriwa hi Dok Moosa na vaongori. Va endzela vavabyi emakaya va tlhela va va pfuna hi ku va nyika mirhi kona emakaya.
Vavabyi lava nga na xiyimo xo karhata va kombeleriwa ambulense leswaku yi va heleketa exibedhlele. Vavabyi va endzeriwa vhiki rin’wana na rin’wana hi “community health workers” [vatirheli va rihanyu va muganga]. Lava vabyaka swinene va ongoriwa na ku tshunguriwa emakaya. Ku yisa vavabyi eka tindzawulo tin’wana to fana na ya Nhluvukiso wa Vaaki swi endliwa hi ku olova. Hi khensa Dok Moosa, vatirhi ... [Nkarhi wu herile.] (Translation of Xitsonga speech follows.)
[Mr X T MABASA (ANC): Chairperson, the ANC-led government applauds Gauteng Department of Health for taking the initiative to establish the National Health Insurance at Chiawelo in Soweto as a project geared towards the realisation of the vision of the National Health Insurance (NHI) nationwide. The NHI assists the citizens of Senaone, Phiri, Mapetla, Protea and Chiawelo. This is testimony to the fact that in no time the NHI will succeed in this project. Patients are nursed by Dr Moosa and the nurses. They visit patients at home and also assist them by giving them medication there.
An ambulance is requested to transport patients in acute situations to hospital. Patients are visited by community health workers weekly. Those who are very ill are nursed at home. Taking patients to other departments such as the Department of Social Development is done with ease. We thank Dr Moosa, community health workers ...] [Time expired.]
ANC DEFENDS OMAR al-BASHIR
(Member’s Statement)
Mr J R LORIMER (DA): Madam Chair, I was not the only one who was bored and annoyed by Minister Lindiwe Zulu last week when she contended that the DA did not know Africa and thus was not qualified to talk about the ANC’s new best friend forever, Omar al-Bashir. The ANC criticises the International Criminal Court, ICC, for indicting Bashir for the 300 000 deaths in Darfur. He has not been indicted for the Sudanese civil war where, for 16 years, he was in charge of the northern armies against the south. He should be indicted.
The South Sudanese people told me about that war in Rombeck, Haddock, Bentue and Leah, and how Bashir used the taking of slaves as a deliberate tactic. He armed and encouraged militias to take South Sudanese as slaves, and tens of thousands of Africans were taken into slavery in this century. Many remain so. They were beaten, starved and forced to abandon their Christian or traditional religions. The North Sudanese Arabic word for black person “abid” is the same word that they used for a slave. This is the man who the ANC invited to our country lately in defiance of our own courts and with whom they now sign co-operation agreements; a man who treats black Africans as slaves.
In the same way that it defends the interests of the comrades and cronies and not the people of South Africa, the ANC is in love with the African leaders club, and not with Africans. You make me ashamed of my country. [Time expired.]
ANC CONDEMNS VANDALISM OF J B MARKS MEMORIAL MONUMENT
(Member’s Statement)
Mr P J MNGUNI (ANC): The ANC has learnt with shock and disappointment the vandalism and destruction of the struggle icon, J B Marks’ memorial monument recently. We are angered and deeply offended by this senseless desecration of the memorial which was erected in honour of J B Marks outside his hometown of Ventersdorp. We condemn this abominable act of thuggery and cowardice and call on the law enforcement agencies to investigate this incidence and put the perpetrators behind bars.
Uncle J B, as he was affectionately known, was born in March 1903 in Ventersdorp in the then Transvaal and he died of heart attack in 1972 while in exile in the Soviet Union. His remains were brought back and reburied in South Africa in March 2015 together with those of another struggle stalwart, Comrade Moses Kotane.
This self-destructive attitude of these perpetrators neither contributes to nation building nor inspires pride. They must know that it would take more than a cowardly act to erase the legacy of Comrade J B Marks from the history of South Africa. He worked with immeasurable commitment and dedication to ensure that South Africa belong to all who live in it. No amount of disrespect will erase from our collective memory the gallant role played by this leader and what he represents. Comrade Marks raised the level of political consciousness to many of us and collapsed the nationality and tribal divisions to that the system has imposed to prevent collective action. [Thank you very much.] [Time expired.]
MR D H KHOSA: Thanks Chairperson. The ANC applauds the progressive initiative by the Department of Basic Education, in which 81 independent monitors were appointed and are to be deployed to all education districts in our country to monitor the writing of the examination with the assistance of the Provincial Education Departments and our quality assurer Umalusi. The department has further taken an initiative to train invigilators who will supervise the writing of these examinations to ensure the good quality of our National Senior Examination. This shows the seriousness with which our government takes the education of our children. Ngiyabonga, Sihlalo. [Thank you, Chairperson.] [Applause.]
MS E R WILSON: Sixty-eight frail, bedridden and elderly people at the Loskop Old Age Home, in Ephraim Mogale, will be put on the street along with 54 members of the staff who are taking care of them on Monday the 17 September. This comes as a result of the Limpopo Social Development Department refusing to pay subsidies to the Home because the application for 2015 was one day late. Despite pleas to the Social Development MEC and Minister Dlamini herself for the intervention, no response whatsoever has been received. Requests to the portfolio committee Chair to bring the heads of departments and MEC to account to the committee are yet to get a response. The Human Rights Commission have also been unable to get the required intervention. Many residents of the Home are bedridden suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and are on permanent oxygen machines and require constant daily care. The department is now on breach of the Older Persons Act and will face charges in this regard. This is yet another example of the ANC-led government’s total neglect and disregard of the poor and the vulnerable in South Africa. We call on the Minister Dlamini to intervene today and ensure that payments are made to Loskop to avoid the devastating consequences, potential loss of life and jobs because of Limpopo’s mismanagement. I thank you. [Applause.]
MS T E KENYE: Thank you, Chairperson. Hon Chair, the ANC applauds a joint operation by the Hawks, the SAPS, and the Home Affairs Counter Corruption Unit, which resulted in the arrest of the Frontline Clerk in the Home Affairs office at King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape. The official was arrested for facilitating fraudulent marriages involving illegal foreign nationals. During the arrest, several more foreign nationals were also arrested after they were found in possession of fake IDs, fake marriage certificates, temporary IDs and blank Home Affairs documents when their houses were searched. As the ANC, we congratulate the Department of Home Affairs for this crackdown on corruption within the department and this is further indication that Minister Malusi Gigaba was correct in launching Operation Pyramid the
HOUSING DELIVERY IN MATATIELE
(Minister’s Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: Deputy Speaker, the ANC member who spoke about the houses in Matatiele, proved beyond doubt that when we, as the ANC through our Freedom Charter, say that there shall be houses, security and comfort, we mean business. And have been able to deliver those houses in record time - we started in July and by now 200 houses have been delivered - definitely shows that the housing delivery is on track. We want to call upon ... [Interjections.]
Ms H O MOKAUSE: Deputy Speaker, on a point of order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, what is your point of order, hon member?
Ms H O MOKAUSE: The member cannot stand here and mislead us. [Interjections.]
An HON MEMBER: Hayi suka!
Ms H O MOKAUSE: This hon member is grandstanding. There can never be a total delivery of houses by the ANC in South Africa at this stage. The hon member standing in front of you is not telling the truth, but you are not calling her to order. She is misleading us.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon Mokause, that is a political statement and not a point of order. Please do not do that again. Go ahead, hon member.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: It shows beyond doubt that our programme of delivering housing to our people is on track. The fact that when we deliver houses we also create jobs is a positive thing in terms of our commitment to build communities. The hon member must listen carefully, I did not say that we are done with the housing backlog, but what I am saying is that the portion we have covered is something positive because it makes a difference. I thank you. [Applause.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon Gigaba. [Interjections.]
Mr K Z MORAPELA: Order, Deputy Speaker.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, hon member.
Mr K Z MORAPELA: I did not want to disrupt the Deputy Minister. I wanted to check if it is honourable for her to wear a jumping castle?
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, your time to go home is coming very soon. Don’t be in a hurry.
LAUNCH OF OPERATION BVISA MASINA YIELD POSITIVE RESULTS
ANC DEFENDS OMAR al-BASHIR
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS: Deputy Speaker, the launch of Operation Bvisa Masina by the Department of Home Affairs has already begun yielding very positive results. Since we launched it in July this year, 26 officials - including members of the public - involved in document fraud and corruption have been arrested. This includes the most recent arrests that were made in Soshanguve, uMngeni as well as in Tembisa.
We want to make it clear that the eagles of the Department of Home Affairs - our counter-corruption unit - are doing us proud by the focused manner in which they are attacking and combating document fraud and corruption. We wish to congratulate them and plead with them to continue working so hard in ensuring that the Department of Home Affairs is freed from corruption and document fraud.
I would like to comment on the statement about President al-Bashir, who was invited to South Africa by the African Union and not the South African government. Despite the fact that we have made this point very clear on several occasions, certain members are hell-bent on spreading disinformation and untruths about the presence of President al-Bashir to our country. President al-Bashir remains central to the resolution of the problems of Sudan and ensuring that there is sustainable peace in that country.
Many in the opposition benches, particularly the DA, deserve to be at The Hague for the crimes they committed against Africans in South Africa during the apartheid period. Many of them never even appeared before ... [Interjections.]
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Deputy Speaker, on a point of order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, hon member, what is your point of order?
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: The hon member has accused members on this side of the House of committing crimes that would warrant us going before The Hague. I would say that he cannot do that, unless he brings a substantive motion before the House and I would ask that he withdraws that statement forthwith.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will rule on that. Your time has expired, hon member. [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members ... [Interjections.]
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Deputy Speaker ... [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can you give me a moment. I will rule on that matter.
The MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM: Sekela Somlomo, enkosi. Ndifuna ukuthetha kulo mcimbi kaMongameli u-Omar al-Bashir. Ngowe-1982 kwakukho ixhego lakwaDaniso, ... [Hon Speaker, thank you. I want to speak about the issue of President Omar al-Bashir. In 1982 there was an old man from Daniso family ...]
Mr M WATERS: Deputy Speaker, on a point of order.
The MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM: ... ixhego le-ANC ... [... an old man from the ANC ...]
Mr M WATERS: Deputy Speaker, on a point of order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: What’s the point of order, hon member?
Mr M WATERS: I’ll tell you if you just listen. Deputy Speaker, the hon Minister of Home Affairs has dealt with the member’s statement on President al-Bashir and now we have the second Minister addressing the same statement, which is not allowed and it’s not in portfolio either. So, it has been dealt with and the Minister must address another member’s statement. Thank you.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: The Rules allow Ministers to respond to any matter.
UMPHATHISWA WEZOPHUHLISO LWAMAPHANDLE NOHLENGAHLENGISO LWEZOMHLABA: Enkosi, Sekela Somlomo. Kwakunzima ngowe-1982 silwela inkululeko yeli lizwe. Eli xhego lathi niyabona boonyana, kufuneka ningafani neehagu. Ngumzabalazo lo sithetha ngawo. Elaa lungu lithetha nge-ANC. Ndililungu le ANC mna. Wathi loo tata ningafani neehagu. Ihagu xa ihamba ijonga phantsi apha phambi kwayo, ayijongi phaya kude. Nina ke ize ningafani nazo. Ngoko ke, thina asifani neehagu kwi-ANC. Sijonga phaya kude, asijongi phambi kwethu. Enkosi. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[The MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM: Thank you hon Speaker. It was difficult 1982 when we were fighting for reedom in this country. This old man said, my sons, you must not be like pigs. We are talking about struggle here. To the member talking about the ANC. I am a member of the ANC. That old man said you must not look like pigs. When a pig is walking it looks down in front of it, it doesn’t look far. You mustn’t be like them. Therefore we are not like pigs in the ANC. We look far, we don’t look in front of us. Thank you.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Any further ministerial responses? Hon Deputy Minister, only if you are responding to a different matter.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: Thank you, Deputy Speaker.
Mr M WATERS: Deputy Speaker, the hon Deputy Minister has had the opportunity to respond. She has two minutes according to Rule 1077. You are limited to two minutes for a reply. Are you going to deduct what the hon Deputy Minister has used already from the two minutes or are you going to give her a full two minutes again? How are you going to do this, Deputy Speaker? Can we get some guidance, please?
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: This is why I’m made a pre-condition that she cannot respond to what she has already responded to. Please go ahead, hon member.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: Deputy Speaker, I’m responding to the statement made by the ANC about Commissar Che Masilela. I want to say that Comrade Che was a cadre of a special type, a commissar in the army who also trained me, but, more than that, the secretary of defence until his untimely death.
I want to congratulate the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, the military veterans and SACP. I would like to say, long live the spirit of Che, long live. I also want to say that in his memory, the Department of Human Settlements is building 5 000 houses for military veterans because we want to make sure their work continues.
Mr M WATERS: Deputy Speaker, may I address you?
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, hon member.
Mr M WATERS: Deputy Speaker, I rise on Rule 1056 where it states that the time for ministerial responses is limited to two minutes. The time the Deputy Minister had previously for the two members’ statements that she responded to and the current is well over two minutes and I suggest that you invoke Rule 1056, please. Thank you.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Finish your response, hon member. Are you done? [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: we will continue to pick up his fallen spear. May his soul rest in peace!
Phantsi nge-DA, phantsi! [Down with DA, down!]
An HONOURABLE MEMBER: Phantsi nge-ANC, phantsi! [Down with ANC down!]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, there are six ministerial response opportunities. The Rules do not say no Minister can respond twice. There is no limitation to which opportunities Ministers can respond. The restriction we are placing for Ministers is that they can’t respond to the same matter themselves on two occasions because that would create the problems the hon Waters is raising there.
We have allowed it because it’s a response to a different opportunity. Hon members, we have often stated that if there are additional opportunities for Ministers or Deputy Ministers we allow them to respond because, after all, when members make statements, they expect those statements to be responded to and that is what Ministers are doing. [Interjections.] Thank you very much, hon members. That concludes the ministerial responses.
Hon members, in line with the motion as moved by the Chief Whip of the Majority Party we now come to notices of motion. Does any member wish to give a notice of motion? Yes, hon member at the back.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Deputy Speaker, I asked you to make a ruling earlier, it’s very clear that the hon Gigaba is about to gap it, which means that you are not going to be able to make a ruling in his absence. I would ask that you apply your mandate and make a ruling.
When members of the opposition say things that require substantive motion, you make us do it immediately, when he does it he is simply allowed to get away with it. He is about to gap it back out of here, probably back to the Cabinet meeting where the rest of his colleagues are and I am not going to be able to have an opportunity for you to make a considered ruling on the matter.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member it is wrong what you are suggesting that I ... [Interjections.] No! No! I do wish you to appreciate these comments that members make in the House. We want to be as close to accuracy of their responses as we can so that we give satisfactory rulings. Hon Gigaba referred to members ... [Interjections.] Which members were those? Yes DA members, what I am saying is that I want to look at the Hansard correctly ... [Interjections.] we have asked members here to come back to me with an advice, I work with advice on the table, I have requested to do that. That ruling will be made on the basis of that advice that I will get. [Interjections.]
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Deputy Speaker with respect, the hon Mhlongo was at the podium earlier in the debate and he was forced because he didn’t have a substantive motion when he made allegations to withdraw it. Hon Gigaba said that members of the DA in this side of the House should be before The Hague for crimes against humanity, and this is a very serious allegation. [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, this is why it is important that I make a ruling to it ... [Interjections.]
HON MEMBER: He is a murderer
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members let me explain to you ... [Interjections.]
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: The problem is Deputy Speaker you give an immediate ruling when it’s members of the opposition but it’s always a long drawn up process when its members of the ANC.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member let me give you this, there are people who are working on that and will bring a ruling here. I will give it as soon as it comes here so that it is given properly and so on after it has been considered. [Interjections.]
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Deputy Speaker he is about to pull an Al Bashir and leave the table, how are we then going to have a ruling when he ...
Nksz S M KHAWULA: Sawubona Sekela Somlomo. [Ubuwelewele.] Uxolo kancane. [Ubuwelwele.] Ngifuna ukukhuluma nami. Ngicela ukukhuluma nawe. Mhlonishwa lapho ngaphambili ake wenze njengomuntu obizwa ngonompempe, odlalisa ibhola. Okufanele ukuthi uma edlalisa ibhola aqinisekise ukuthi akachemi ukuze abantu bangagcini belimala. Wena unenkinga futhi ngempela lenkinga yakho ngeke siyibekezelele, zama ukushintsha. Sizimisele ngokuhlonipha la kodwa lento oyenzayo ayizukulunga. Ngiyabonga.
USEKELA SOMLOMO: Ngiyabonga lungu elihloniphekile, unompempe uke umbone egijima eya emggeni ukuyobuza umsizi wakhe. Ngisabuza kumsizi kanompempe, ngizobuyela kuwena mama. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)
[Ms S M KHAWULA: Good afternoon, Chairperson. [Interjections.] Pardon me. [Interjections.] I would like to speak. May I address you. Hon Chairperson, can you be like referee during a soccer match in a football pitch. Where, when the match is on, he must make sure that he is not biased to avoid getting the people hurt. You have a serious problem and we can’t stand it anymore, try to change. We want to behave here but what you are doing is not right. Thank you.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, hon member, even the referee sometimes run to the lane to consult with his assistant. I am also consulting my assistant, I will revert to you, madam. [Applause.]]
Mr P G MOTEKA: You know the manner in which you are handling this House is so one sided and disruptive ... [Interjections.] that is why every time [Interjections.] you are there
HON MEMBER: Hon member Al-Bashir ...
Mr P G MOTEKA: the House is so disrupted [Interjections.]
HON MEMBER: Run away!
Mr P G MOTEKA: You are very biased. [Interjections.]
Mr B A RADEBE: The chief whip of the DA has just called the Minister of Home Affairs, Al Bashir [Interjections.], I don’t think it is parliamentary, you cannot allow that thing to happen, because we can do the same [Interjections.]
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Are you going to make a ruling now?
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, I am giving an opportunity for notices of motion.
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mr K P SITHOLE: On behalf of the IFP, I shall move that on the next sitting of this House:
That the House debates what system is in place to further educate and provide skills to emerging contractors.
I so move.
Mr S MALATSI: I hereby move on behalf of the DA that at its next sitting this
That the House debates the Commission for Gender Equality’s Report on gender transformation in South African Football.
I so move
Ms A MATSHOBENI: I rise on behalf of the EFF to move that in its next sitting:
That the House debates boosting our agriculture to ensure that it realise its full potential as the next growth sector in the country able to create jobs and feed the nation. Thank you
Ms L L VAN DER MERWE: I hereby give notice that I shall move on behalf of the IFP:
That this House at its next sitting debates the excessive bureaucratic red tape that hinders child adoption processes in our country and what urgent steps should be taken to compel the state to improve and align its processes in this regard.
I so move
Mr J A ESTERHUIZEN: On behalf of the IFP I move that the next sitting of this House:
That the House debates the unavailability of sufficient grid access to the Integrated Performance Primitives, IPP and the renewable energy developers and the short and long term of solutions to this challenge.
Mr P MAESELA: I move on behalf of the ANC that in its next sitting:
That the House debates the revitalisation, equipping and resourcing of nursing colleges, as well as the increasing of the recruitment of trainees.
I so move.
Rre S G MMUSI: Mo boemong jwa ANC, ke tshitsinya gore mo nakong e e tlang:
Ntlokokoanobosetšhaba e ngangisane ka mekgwa e re ka e tsayang go rotloetsa le go itlhaganedisa kgolo ya metshameko, botaki, ngwao le setso sa Maaforikaborwa mo dikolong tsa rona.
Ke a leboga Motlotlegi. [Legofi.] (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[Mr S G MMUSI: On behalf of the ANC, at the next sitting, I shall move that:
The National Assembly debates ways that we can use to encourage and develop growth in respect of sports, arts and culture of South Africans in our schools.
Thank you honourable. [Applause.]]
Ms D VAN DER WALT: Hon Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice on behalf of the DA that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:
That the House debates the continued irregular expenditure within the Department of Basic Education.
Dr M J FIGG: Hon Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice on behalf of the DA that on next sitting day of the House I shall move:
That the House debates ways to strengthen internal controls that prevent fraud and corruptions within the public sector.
Ms M P MMOLA: Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice on behalf of the ANC that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:
That House debates the speeding up the process of in sourcing essential support services such as catering, cleaning, laundry and security.
Nksz S M KHAWULA: Sekela Somlomo, egameni le-EFF ngiphakamisa isaziso sokuthi ngokulandelayo uma iNdlu ihlala:
Ukuthi le Ndlu:
- ibe nenkulumo mpikiswano ngesikhungo sezindiza laphaya KwaZulu-Natali. Lesi sikhungo sasise-Reunion iminyaka eminingi, sasuka e-Reunion manje sesiseKing Shaka. Abantu kuyimanje abanayo indawo yokuhlala nezimoto zabo akuvumelekile ukuthi zipakwe ngaphakathi;
- icele ukuthi baphakanyelwe laba bantu ngoba nabo bangaba lapha eNingizimu Afrika. UShaka uqobo lwakhe angeke naye ajabule ukubona abantu balapha eNingizimu Afrika bengenayo indlela yokusizakala;
- ifisa uMabuyakhulu afunde ukuba anikeze amathenda laba bantu ngoba baba nezivakashi, hhayi elokhu enika abantu abanezinwele ezinde kuphela. Ngiyabonga.
(Translation of isiZulu motion without notice follows.)
[Ms S M KHAWULA: Deputy Speaker, as EFF I give notice that on next sitting day:
That this House -
- debates about the airport in KwaZulu-Natal. This airport was in Reunion for many years, it was relocated from Reunion, it is now at King Shaka. People do not have spaces to sit and they are not allowed to park their cars inside;
- we ask that something must be done for these people because they are also South Africans. Even, King Shaka, himself would not have been happy to see South African people not getting help;
- we wish Mabuyakhulu could learn to give tenders to these people because they get visitors, and not to only give them to the people with long hair. Thank you.]
Ms H B KEKANA: Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice on behalf of ANC that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:
That the House debates promoting rural women’s access to vital resources such as safe and affordable energy, water and land.
Ms P NTOBONGWANA: Deputy Speaker, I rise on behalf of the EFF that on the next sitting of the House I shall move:
That the House debates mechanism to stop leaders of the ruling party from using food parcels as the means of buying votes from our people in the up coming local elections next year, especially in the OR Tambo.
Ms S MCHUNU: Deputy Speaker, I herby give notice on behalf of ANC that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:
The House debates strengthening South Africa’s postgraduate training in research and innovation as means to improve the country’s global competitiveness.
MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
LAUNCH OF AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL IN MEMORY OF THE LATE COLLINS CHABANE
(Draft Resolution)
Mr M P SIBANDE: Deputy Speaker, the ANC moves without notice:
That the House -
- welcomes the launch of an annual festival in memory of the late Public Service Minister Collins Chabane in Lipompo recently;
- notes that the main event will be held at Malamulele Stadium every April and will end with a match between Kaizer Chiefs and Limpopo Legends;
- acknowledges that the showbiz mogul King Chauke in partnership with the Chabane family launches the Collins Chabane Cultural festival to promote the legacy of the late Minister who died in the car accident, in March this year;
- further acknowledges that the festival will be directed by the Chauke and former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Brian Baloyi;
- understands that it will start of as a talent search to unearth talent music and dance; and
- congratulates the organisers of this annual event in their efforts to keep the legacy of Collins Chabane alive.
I so move.
Mr N S MATIASE: Deputy Speaker, the EFF objects.
SA POLICE LAUNCHES OPERATION STOPPER IN NYANGA
(Draft Resolution)
Mr A M SHAIK-EMAM: Deputy Speaker, on behalf of the NFP I move without notice:
That the House –
- notes that on Tuesday, 8 September 2015, the SA Police have started operation Stopper in Nyanga in the Western Cape to bring crime under control in the area;
- also notes that Nyanga has the shameful title of being the murder capital of South Africa with statistics for the year 2012-13 revealing that 262 murder cases were registered at the Nyanga Police station, higher than any other in the country;
- further notes that highjacking of cars, robberies and drug-related crimes are also prevalent in Nyanga, leaving the residents at the mercy of criminals;
- acknowledges that Operation Stopper which involves police officers, traffic officials, law enforcement officers and SAPS’ specialised units has already yielded significant results with several arrests being made for drug dealing; drunken driving, and possession of drugs whilst 228kg of dagga and 141 liters of alcohol has been confiscated on the first day of the operation;
- finally notes that Operation Stopper will continue in the area for an indefinite time until the situation is stabilised;
- congratulates the SA Police Service for the crime eradication operation launched in Nyanga; and
- encourages the Nyanga community to join the police in their fight against crime.
I so move.
UMJINDI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY EVICTS PENSIONERS FROM THEIR HOMES
(Draft Resolution)
Ms V KHETHABAHLE: Deputy Speaker, I rise on behalf of the EFF to move without notice:
That the House –
- notes that in Mpumalanga, at Umjindi Local Municipality, pensioners fear eviction from their homes;
- suspects that these developments are prompted by the notice signed by municipal manager, Mr Patrick Msibi;
- realises that Tenants living in 50 Umjindi Municipality-owned apartments, of which 90% are pensioners and indigents may soon find themselves homeless;
- also notes that all these developments were made after a notice to sell these flats was handed to them on Wednesday, 12 August 2015;
- further notes that all indications are that the properties will be sold on public auction on 21 September 2015;
- acknowledges that the notice delivered on Wednesday reads that, “All tenants will have to enter into new agreements with the new flats management or the potential buyer of the flats after the auction;”
- believes that a shelter is a basic human right issue, therefore prioritising about making money must not take precedent over human suffering; and
- urges the department of Human Settlements to act speedily to resolve this matter.
I so move!
The motion was objected to.
HEADING
(Draft Resolution)
Ms N P SONTI: Sekela Somlomo, ndiphakama egameni le EFF:
Ukuba leNdlu-
- iqaphele ukungaphatheki kakuhle kwabantwana abaziinkedama, abathi bashiywe ngabazali beshiywa elugcinweni lwezihlobo nezalamane;
- iphinde iqaphele uba sithetha nje, eBhayi, kwa-Ward 56, eKamva eMotherwell, eButhelezi Street phantsi koCouncillor Unathi Menemene, kukho abantwana abathathu abathi bashiywa ngabazali babo, baze bashiywa elugcinweni lukamakazi wabo uNombulelo Mngxongo Kamana;
- ivume ngoku ukuba umakazi lo wabo, uNombulelo, akavumi ukubanika indlu yakowabo, utshatile, uhlala nabantwana bakhe nomyeni wakhe kule ndlu yezi nkedama, kwaye uzikhuphela ngaphandle ngoku zona ezi nkedama;
- iphinde ivume ukuba ikamva laba bantwana ngoku lisemngciphekweni, bahamba berenta kodwa banekhaya, abakwazi nokuqhubeka befunda;
- iqwalesele ukuba aba bantwana ngoku baphila nge-granti karhulumente, ekunzima nokuba imane ihlaziywa kuba bengenadilesi isisigxina abanayo, kuba bohluthelwa indlu sesi sikhohlakali sikamakazi; kwaye ... [Interjections.]
(Translation of isiXhosa motion follows.)
[Ms N P SONTI: Deputy Speaker, I hereby move on behalf of the EFF:
That the House -
- notes the ill-treatment received by orphans who were left in the care of their parents families and relatives;
- further notes that in Port Elizabeth, in Ward 56, in Kamva in Motherwell, at Buthelezi Street, undere Councilor Unathi Menemene, there are three orphans who were left in the custody of their maternal aunt by the name of Nombulelo Mngxongo Kamana;
- acknowledges that their maternal aunt, Nombulelo, has robbed of their home and instead stays there with her husband and her children, when the rightful owners of the house are not enjoying the privileges of having a shelter over their heads;
- further acknowledges that the future of these orphans is at risk, they are moving around renting from one place to the other when they have a home, and they are not even attending school; and
- notes that these children are getting a government grant, and they are struggling with the renewal of their grants as they do not have a permanent physical address, because their evil aunt has kicked them out of their home; and ... [Interjections.]]
Mr S P MHLONGO: On a point of order, Chairperson. Order, Chair!
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: It’s your member on the floor!
Mr S P MHLONGO: It is my member! [Laughter.]
Kubi, kubi kakhulu okuqhamuka ngapha. Uma ngabe ilungu elihloniphekile likhuluma ngenhlupheko yabantu abamnyama kuthiwa alihambe liyohlala nabo kepha kube kukhulunywa lapha ngezingane zabantu abamnyama abahluphekayo. [Ubuwelewele.] Ngicela ukuthi uyikhuze le nto, yimbi kabi. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[It is bad, very bad what comes from here. When the hon Member talks about the suffering of the black people she is told that she must go and stay with them whereas we are talking about the children of poor black people. [Interjections.] Will you please make a ruling on this issue, it is very bad.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, please, let’s allow members to proceed. Continue hon Sonti!
Ms N P SONTI: Sekela Somlomo, sicela:
... (6) Ukuba le Ndlu yenze isimbonono kumasebe ka rhulumente nomasipala eBhayi ukuba uthathe amanyathelo ukusombululo le ngxaki, iqinisekise ukuba abantwana babuyela ekhayeni labo.
Sekela Somlomo, la kona leya asinandaba nayo. Yenziwa phofu yile bhari ilapha ePalamente. Aba bahlala benxilile ngalo lonke ixesha. [Interjections.] Ezaanto ziphaa! [Interjections.] Nihlala ninxilile nina! Aninangqondo! [Interjections.] (Translation of isiXhosa motion follows.)
[Ms N P SONTI: Deputy Speaker, we request:
... (6) that this House takes this matter up with the department and the municipality of Port Elizabeth to find an urgent solution to this problem and make sure that these children are returned to their home.
Deputy Speaker, we are not concerned about that corner there. The bar that is here in Parliament is to blame for that. Those ones are always drunk. [Interjections.] Those things there! [Interjections.] You are always drunk! You do not use your common sense! [Interjections.]]
Ms T MAHAMBEHLALA: I am rising on a point of order, Chair!
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is a member behind you. There! There is a member behind you, hon member.
Ms L M MASEKO: Deputy Speaker, this member says we are drunk.
Angibuphuzi utshwala mina, futhi akuna bar lapha. Ilungu elihloniphekile lithi sidakiwe, asiphuzi tshwala. Bengicela ukuthi lihoxhise, Sekela Somlomo. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[I don’t drink and there is no bar here. The hon Member says that we are drunk, we don’t drink alcohol. I request that she must withdraw, Deputy Speaker.]
It’s an insult! [Interjections.]
Mr S P MHLONGO: On a point of order, Chair! Point of Order Chair!
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes hon member!
Mr S P MHLONGO: Chairperson, members of this House were elected by the people, particularly our poor people. [Interjections.] I raised a point that these same people, when our member is on the podium, addressing a very sensitive matter, ... [Interjections.] ... say she must go and stay with those orphans who are without shelter over their heads. [Interjections.] What kind of an utterance is that coming from the ANC people? We do not owe the ANC any fucking damn thing man! [Interjections.]
Ms T MAHAMBEHLALA: Deputy Speaker! Deputy Speaker! I challenge you as a Presiding Officer to bring a breathalyser now, ... [Interjections.] ... to test who is drunk in this corner, and go there to test as well. [Interjections.] I challenge you now to bring that breathalyser. We are willing and ready to be tested. We can’t be called drunkards as Members of Parliament because ...
... abantu batshaya iziyobisi. Bacinga ukuba thina sisela utywala! [... they are using drugs. They think that we are drunk!]
It can’t happen that way!
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, to all of the members who have raised and spoken the way they have done, including the language they have used: Hon members, we have spoken about this matter in the House; it is beyond me now. I think it requires a different response to it altogether! [Interjections.] These are the comments that members do whilst others are speaking, and the comments that come from those who respond to that. This is something else, altogether.
I do wish that we do not go into that direction. I am going to firstly refer this matter to the Chief Whips’ Forum and I would like us to talk to the Speaker about how we respond to all of these issues that have been raised in the manner in which they have been raised. I will be coming back here as I promised earlier on another ruling.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Deputy Speaker, before you do that, if I may: I am sorry, we can have a discussion about that in the Chief Whips’ Forum but there are certain words that are just never uttered in this House. [Interjections.]
The hon Mhlongo has uttered that word. If you allow it to now go without asking him to withdraw it, it will become part of the precedence that it is an acceptable term in the House. I am happy for you to study the Hansard, et cetera, but we all heard what that word was. It is not acceptable for Parliament. I would ask if he could be instructed to withdraw that word. [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, ... [Interjections.]
Woza bab’ uMhlongo; ngiyakubona ufuna ukuza. Uzizela wena ngokwakho. [Come, hon Mhlongo, I can see that you want to come. You are coming without being called.]
Mr T W MHLONGO: Deputy Speaker, with all due respect: In law, South African jurisprudence guarantees all of us equality. We earn freedom of speech. [Interjections.] We cannot allow arrogance to dominate our own intellectual thinking in this House as if we owe anybody anything from the desk of the ANC. [Interjections.]
Various members have requested you, through your position, to call for a withdrawal of so called unparliamentary language here. You said yourself that you are going to consult Hansard. [Interjections.] I will be called to order twice today; none for these people who are behaving recklessly.
I spent my time in the trenches fighting for the freedom of this country. I don’t owe anyone any single thing. [Interjections.] The EFF here does not owe anyone anything! [Interjections.] Now that we are going to be insulted and the ANC would use its cheap lousy majority Menshevik style to dominate us: Who do they think they are? [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member, I thought you are bringing a solution. You volunteered to come to speak and I thought you are bringing a solution. Hon Chief Whip of the Opposition?
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Deputy Speaker, I just want to point to the precedence that is being created in this House. [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, there is no precedence ... [Interjections.]
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: No, no, there is precedence! There is precedence: The other member who was suspended for a week for using unparliamentary language in the House. [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member, there is no precedent being set. Can you take your seat if you are not raising something new? [Interjections.]
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: I’m still talking, will you please listen to me, Deputy Speaker.! I said we have precedence in this House! One of my members was found guilty of using that word in the House and was suspended for a week. All I am asking you to do is being consistent with the rulings of this House and get the member to withdraw it ... [Interjections.] ... and refer it to the Rules Committee.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member, please take your seat! I told you what I am going to do, on the spot, here – very soon, yes! [Interjections.] Hon member, what are you rising on?
Nksz M S KHAWULA: Sekela Somlomo, eqinisweni, akufanele ukuthi siyenze le nto ngoba ikhombisa ukuthi asiyazi into esiyizele kule Ndlu. Mina bengicela ukuthi siyixoxe, kuhlalwe phansi kuvezwe ikhambi ukuthi izolungiswa kanjani ngoba le nto imbi. Isazoqhubeka futhi ibulale ikusasa lethu kanye nekusasa leNingizimu Afrika esayilwela. Ngiyabonga. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Ms M S KHAWULA: Deputy Speaker, in fact, we are not supposed to be doing this because this shows that we have no knowledge of what we are doing in this House. I would suggest that we discuss it, we all sit down and find a solution and resolve it because this is bad. It will continue to destroy our future and South Africa’s future that we fought for. Thank you.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION: Deputy Speaker, clearly the rules do not make provision for vulgar and offensive language. It’s not part of freedom of expression; it cannot be protected; it is not compatible with the decorum of the House and I urge you, hon Deputy Speaker to request the hon member to withdraw the offensive word. Thank You.
Mr M HLENGWA: Deputy Speaker, the Deputy Minister has covered what I was going to say. I respect the fact that you want to refer this entire episode to the Chief Whip’s Forum, but on the same vein I want to make a humble plea to you and the hon Mhlongo to restore the dignity of this House and withdraw that particular phrase that he used. Indeed, you can refer the entire episode to the Chief Whip’s Forum. We therefore cannot leave the House, under a cloud of such language. I’m just appealing to you that we just address that particular instance. Thank you.
Ms J D KILLIAN: Deputy Speaker, I would like to support some of the members on the floor. Pertaining to offensive language, rule 63 makes it very clear that no member shall use offensive or unbecoming language. I would therefore like to suggest that, that is exactly what the hon Mhlongo has done. We understand that sometimes we get heated under the collar, but nothing can excuse what he said. Therefore, we must have a uniformity of the application of the rules and we would request the hon Mhlongo to withdraw the unbecoming phraseology.
Mr S P MHLONGO: Deputy Speaker, as I withdraw, I expect the same responsible act from those in opposition to us and not the unilateral application of the so-called withdrawal of an unparliamentary language. As a respectful citizen of this country, I do humbly withdraw. [Applause.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Members, I’m going to comeback to the rulings on these matters immediately. Let me put the hon Sonti’s motion. Are there any objections to the motion? Yes. In light of the objection, the motion may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice will now become notice of a motion.
SECURITY IN PARLIAMENT
(Draft Resolution)
Ms M O MOKAUSE: Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House –
- notes the dangerous and undemocratic terrain in which the ANC government with the support of the DA have turned the Parliament of South Africa into, by militarising spaces that embodied the spirit of freedom of speech;
- further notes that, every time the Commander-in-Chief and the President of the EFF, Julius Malema, is in the precinct of Parliament, there is more police visibility and the Speaker’s bouncers, who were appointed illegally roaming around as if there is a security alert;
- acknowledges that, at any given day when the Commander-in-Chief of the EFF, Julius Malema, is in his office, Marks Building, and the Speakers bouncers will all be in each corner of the fourth floor, something which was unheard or unseen before in Parliament;
- further acknowledges that, the environment has become so hostile, members of the EFF who were elected democratically to this Parliament do not accept and will never accept intimidation from the intellectually-bankrupt people who cannot argue but resort to violence when faced with facts of their own corruption;
- believes that, it was the very same Speaker’s bouncers, the former police who were appointed illegally to assault members of the EFF in Parliament; who physically assaulted a female, a mother, a sister and a daughter, a member of the EFF in the NCOP while the Presiding Officer laughed and clapped on such a disgusting act; and
- warns the ANC that, if they think that people are not watching and if they think that the world is not watching, the South Africans will not allow them to turn their Parliament into what they have done with the ANC, where they kill each other all the time for political power so that they distribute tenders amongst their cronies.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are there any objections to the motion? Yes. In light of the objection, the motion may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice will now become notice of a motion.
DISCOVERY OF HOMO NALEDI SPECIES
(Draft Resolution)
Dr A LOTRIET: Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House –
- notes the astonishing discovery of a new species called Homo naledi, which was announced today in the Cradle of Humankind near Johannesburg;
- further notes that the collection of Homo naledi fossils was found deep inside a chamber of the Rising Star Cave;
- believes that with the remains of 15 individuals of varying age, consisting of more than 1 550 numbered fossil elements found in the cave, scientists are calling this the biggest discovery of its kind on African soil and of great international importance;
- further believes that this is the first possible discovery of a species related to us that deliberately disposed of the dead;
- congratulates Prof Lee Berger and his team, as well as the University of the Witwatersrand, and also acknowledges the hard work that they have done over many years; and
- applauds their decision to make this discovery available to the public through a month-long display at the Maropeng Visitor Centre.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are there any objections to the motion? Yes. In light of the objection, the motion may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice will now become notice of a motion.
DEVELOPMENTS IN MARIKANA
(Draft Resolution)
Mr S M GANA: Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House –
- notes the slow pace of improving the living conditions of Marikana mineworkers;
- further notes the Department of Human Settlements in the North West has built Breaking New Ground, BNG, and Community Residential Units, CRU, in Marikana Extension 2 and put an income qualifying criteria of between R0 to R3 500 thus excluding the mineworkers;
- acknowledges that both the BNG and CRU have not been allocated as there is a standoff between the mineworkers, the community and the Department of Human Settlements;
- recalls that the 50 hectares piece of land where the housing units are built was donated by Lonmin following the 2012 killings;
- further recalls that Marikana has been identified as part of Special Presidential Package for Distressed Mining Towns; and therefore
- calls on the Department of Human Settlements and the Presidency to:
- resolves speedily the impasse between the mineworkers and community members; and
- comes up with an allocation criteria that will ensure that the mineworkers will benefit from the housing units at Marikana Extension 2. [Applause.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are there any objections to the motion? Yes. In light of the objection, the motion may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice will now become notice of a motion.
PEBANE MOTEKA SPORTS DEVELOPMENT TOURNAMENT
(Draft Resolution)
Mr P G MOTEKA: Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House –
- notes the recently completed third edition of the Pebane Moteka Sports Development Tournament, which attracts massive support and participation from the Mamone area and the surrounding villages in Limpopo;
- further notes that the tournament started in 2014 and attracted over eight teams of under 15 squads playing against each other;
- acknowledges that hosting a tournament of this nature requires a lot of money and sacrifice, and that to date, we have allocated four sets of soccer kits to different teams, two won the tournament top prizes and other two were freely given to other teams that did not have anything to wear during the games; these kits were purchased at a cost of about R20 000;
- further acknowledges that we made available trophies in gold, silver and bronze medal categories to the value of R5 000, soccer balls to the value of R7 000 and we allocated 120 pairs of the running takkies to all 15 players from the eight teams that participated, and paid referees R50 each per game;
- extends our words of appreciation to Love Life, Adv Dali Mpofu, the Chairperson of the EFF, Fighter Mampuru Mampuru, Fighter Kabelo Maeepa and Fighter Mohlala Mapurunyane, who helped to donate with the balls, soccer kits, takkies, medals and trophies; and
- calls on the Department of Sport and Recreation to invest in sports development in the rural areas, instead of having a Minister who goes after Beyonce and Mayweather, forgetting that we can produce our own sports stars if we can invest in their development.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are there any objections to the motion? Yes. In light of the objection, the motion may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice will now become notice of a motion.
POLICE KILLER GIVEN LIFE SENTENCE
(Draft Resolution)
Mr M P SIBANDE: Hon Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House –
- welcomes the prescribed minimum sentence of life in jail given to Siphiwo Zondani for the cop killing on Tuesday, 8 September 2015;
- notes that Zondani was convicted on a charge of murder related to the death of detective Constable Mthetheleli Gunya and injuring his colleagues Constable Vuyolwethu Mantashe and Sergeant Mruyisi Booi on 17 October 2014;
- acknowledges the comment by the Western Cape High Court Judge, Elize Steyn that the 32 year old Zondani’s conduct on 17 October 2014 was callous and deplorable;
- understands that the conviction was secured from the sterling arguments by state prosecutor, Advocate Jacqueline Sibiya, couple with an excellent investigation by Lieutenant Colonel Mike Barkhuizen; and
- congratulates all the people involved in this case who contributed to the conviction of Siphiwe Zondani.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, are there any objections to the motion?
Mr N S MATIASE: The EFF objects.
The SPEAKER: In light of the objection, the motion without notice may not be proceeded with. The motion will now become a notice of motion on the Order Paper.
ABSENCE OF MINISTERS FROM PARLIAMENT IS A GREAT CONCERN
(Draft Resolution)
Ms L L VAN DER MERWE: Hon Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House –
- notes the perpetual absence of Cabinet Ministers from sittings of this House;
- further notes that this severely impedes the work of Parliament and Members of Parliament, whose duty is to hold the executive to account; and
- calls on Cabinet Ministers to respect the institution of Parliament and South Africans at large by honouring, respecting and attending to their parliamentary duties regularly and not on an ad hoc basis.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, are there any objections to the motion?
Mr M M DLAMINI: The EFF objects. [Laughter.]
The SPEAKER: In light of the objection, the motion without notice may not be proceeded with. The motion will now become a notice of motion on the Order Paper.
Hon Van Der Merwe, you were not supposed to have read that motion because you didn’t circulate it. Don’t break that Rule. Anyway, it is gone and it is objected to so it is irrelevant.
Mr L L VAN DER MERWE: I was being proactive.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: That’s not been proactive. You can’t proactively break the Rules.
UNPARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE
(Ruling)
Hon members, during the Minister’s responses earlier on, the Minister of Home Affairs said that many in the opposition benches, particularly the DA, deserve to be at The Hague for crimes they committed against Africans in South Africa during the apartheid period. This is a clear reference to members of the opposition, specifically the DA, and to suggest that members, either individually or collectively were involved in crimes against humanity is clearly unparliamentary. The Minister may not be in the House but he will be asked to withdraw those remarks. In Sesotho we say: “Molato ha o bole” [debt does not vanish]. This message that molato ha o bole, we also wish to convey to all the other members in the House who deliberately break the Rules and even if we plead with them not to do so, they continue to do so.
The second one that I would like to refer to is hon Sonti, who said “badakiwe”, loosely translated, members are drunk. Hon Sonti, this is unparliamentary and we would like you to withdraw it madam. [Interjections.] Hon Sonti. . . Order hon members! Please, allow the Chair to conduct the affairs of the House. Hon Sonti, will you take your stand and withdraw?
Ngiyaxolisa, Baba. [I apologise, hon Member.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, can we plead with all of us here that offensive language from wherever part of the House it comes, does not improve the quality of our arguments. It does not improve the quality of our status anywhere. It increases the damage we do to the reputation of Parliament as an institution and collectively as members. I hope members will recognise the value of not going this route. It is completely unacceptable and I hope that the Chief Whips will contribute to a discussion among themselves and among their members on how effectively we can bring this to an end.
Mr NT GODI: Chair, comrades and hon members. We Once again present the 8 th and 9 th reports of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. These deal with the annual reports of the Third Party Fund, the Department of Water Affairs and the Water Trading Entity. We put these reports for the House to adopt. As we present these reports, let me express my appreciation to all my colleagues for their continuous, collective and united approach to our work. Thanks must also be extended to our staff for their diligence. The Third Party Fund has always been a problem child of the Department of Justice, Constitutional Development and Correctional Services.
It is not the first time that we have presented a report on the Third Party Fund. We even did an oversight visit to check exactly what the challenges were. Much effort has been exerted but the entity is not out of the wood yet as seen by the disclaimer of audit opinion by the Auditor General. A disclaimer of audit opinion reflects a serious breakdown in internal controls. One of the key issues is the proper keeping of records reflected in the inability to reconcile receivables and payables among others. We call on the Accounting Officers to fast track the implementation of a new accounting system to replace the current unsuitable Justice Deposit Accounting System Jaders to ensure accurate and reliable financial information and reporting. We are recommending that the Ministers should submit a progress report to the House sixty days from today and thereafter give quarterly report.
The Water Affairs Department and its Water Trading Entity have been receiving qualified audit opinion for the last five years. On almost all issues of concern be it commitments, accruals or immovable tangible capital assets, the main challenge is the absence of records to confirm transactions. There is poor management of expenditure leading to irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Procurement and contract management is also not in a good shape. Human resource management is equally not in a good state, with some employees’ qualifications, qualifications claims not verified on the employment in contravention of relevant regulations. Some employees are paid salaries higher than permitted by regulations. We are calling for the investigations and action to be taken against responsible managers.
We once again as Scopa make a call for all of us to exert all efforts improve public administration, especially public finance management. The NDP, National Development Plan, calls for the building of a capable state. All accounting officers, managers and civil servants must answer to the question of how they are contributing to realizing that objective especially protecting the public purse. I thank you.
Ms DLAMINI-DUBAZANA: On behalf of the Chief Whip of the Majority, I hereby move that the first and second reports be adopted.
Mr M WATERS: The DA would like opportunity to make a declaration, please. Thank you.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The declaration has been asked. Hon member proceed.
Declarations of vote
Mr D C ROSS: Thank you Chairperson and thank you to the Chairperson of the Committee for those kind words as a collective to Scopa, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, I think we work towards a common goal in ensuring that there is consequences for those transgressing officials in the departments. The deficient financial management practices and corrupt activities within the departments hinder the state‘s ability to eradicate poverty and of course hinder the ability to improve the lives of South African citizens. Sadly, this has become part and parcel of the ANC-run departments at national and provincial level.
Today’s consideration of the reports presented to Scopa is no different than the years before. With regards to the Department of Water Affairs, the current situation brought by our colleague before; that the Minister acknowledges that National Treasury has not yet approved the Department’s request for roll-overs to an extent of R1,6 billion and R1,5 billion. Of course this cannot sit at 3,1 billion of money earmarked for service delivery infrastructure within that department that has been compromised. Let me repeat the figure, of 3,1 billion for service delivery for infrastructure has been compromised and indeed cannot be rolled over.
It is within this context that we are concerned that the department of Water and Sanitation also has taken over the role the very dysfunctional Department of Human Settlements in terms of financial management. It is in this regard that the special audit indicated that the rural household infrastructure programme found that the Department in 2010 and 2013, only R5m of allocated budget of R2,1 billion has been spent. That gives you an estimate of about 700 billion unspent in terms of toilets for the poorest of the poor in the rural constituencies.
Noting these above, we are concerned that the report shunned the Department of Water and Sanitation did not have adequate systems in place to maintain records of the regional bulk infrastructure programme. This is indeed a disgrace Chairperson and there is a significant difference in the amount disclosed 2013/14 financial year. We are however, as I said in the beginning encouraged by Scopa’s recommendations that Treasury regulations would be in force that we would work towards sustain solutions in terms of the Public Finance Management Act and also the Municipal Finance Management Act.
Just two days ago, Chairperson, this House debated the scourge of corruption in the public sector. The DA emphasizes the way to fix it and it is not complicated. All that is required is for the government to ensure that there is accountability and consequences for those who contravene in this legislation including the Treasury regulations. Chairperson, just perhaps in conclusion on the water, year after year the DA has shown that where we govern we deliver the basic services to all and receive clean audits after clean audits on a yearly basis. Now with regard to the declaration on the Third Party funded by the Department of Justice, it is exactly as the same trust account of an attorney and here lies the problem; but what is interesting is that any attorney would handle his or her trust account in the manner in which the Department of Justice have handled their Third Party Fund over 21 years would be expelled from that profession. Instead the mismanagement of this fund has been allowed to go on. Sadly the Scopa as the Committee we will not tolerate this management of funds and there would be consequences for go-go transgression.
Mr M M DLAMINI: Deputy Speaker, something horrible has happened with the Third Party Funds. A clear indication how complacent and reckless Scopa in this Parliament has become at holding accounting officers accountable. It is clear an indication that the chairperson of Scopa has been sitting on that chair for too long. Just two weeks back this week this Parliament was debating corruption and the chairperson of Scopa was not here to show that he does not have interest anymore on what he is doing. All he is doing is being a praise singer of the ANC.
For all we know that no more sons left, what is clear over is that by adopting this report with a mere recommendations that are nothing but a rubber stamp to a dysfunctional governments and maladministration, this is where ANC strives, this is where ANC corruption lives. The Auditor-General could not even conduct an audit because the Fund has failed dismally to keep any records or put adequate systems in place to maintain records of the money received. It has been more than a year before EFF arrived in this Parliament, that now the House is adopting annual report. Something is not right.
Accounting officer will not see the need to put in place necessary and required systems to keep proper records. If all they see from Parliament are recommendations suited for an accounting officer who misses meeting instead of failing to keep the record of moneys received for the fund. The EFF will never be part of rubber stamping the dysfunctional institution and reject this report.
Mr M HLENGWA: I would want to echo the sentiments of the chairperson of Scopa who did a very good work there, and I think if members were attending and participating, it would make the work of Scopa very easy because the question we should ask ourselves is how did we get here and we arrived here because portfolio committee are playing foot to foot with the departments. Portfolio committees are not an extension of the Executive and then all the work must then come to Scopa for us to sort out oversight which should have been done by portfolio committee. So that is the point of departure to say portfolio committees must do the work so that we do not have to shoulder the burden of Scopa. Everybody hates Scopa and loves the portfolio committees because you are being nice and give them hugs and kisses not actually doing the work of oversight, but it cannot be said that Scopa has been sitting on this report for the whole year, we are correcting some which should have done by portfolio committee; it is oversight. So, whilst people may not like the chairperson for political reasons that is fine, I refuse for Scopa to be painted with the brush which makes us all look bad in that committee, when day in and day out you are holding accountable as we should be doing but moreover it should be work that has been done by the portfolio committees. So it is our expectation, hon Deputy Speaker that the twenty-one recommendations for the Third Party Fund that Scopa is putting forward that the Portfolio Committee on Justice makes it a point that they see through that these recommendations are carried out because if they don’t do that the work that would to come back to Scopa, we have put a sixty day limit on that and we want that report and the progress report. If we can be able to hold people accountable there must be consequences management and people who have done wrong must be brought to book. The PFMA, the Public Financial Management Act, cannot be applied selectively and cherry pick; it must be applied from A to Z to the letter without any compromise. It is only then that we give credibility to this House that it is not a rubber stamping institution, but one which is proactive in its approach. We must be able to understand the due processes of Parliament that Scopa is not playing or exercising a role of oversight on the day to day affairs of departments. It is portfolio committee that is doing that. So if we do not understand the basic tenants of how we are working in this Parliament, then you are going to come and blame us. It is not nice being in the Scopa because we are called the watchdog no more to be called a dog, but we are doing our work anyway. At the end of the day people must attend committees so that whatever utterances they make here are informed by what actually happens in committees. Let us go back to basics, back to committees. Thank you very much Chair.
Mr A M SHAIK-EMAM: Thank you hon Deputy Speaker, hon Members of this House. The NFP accept the two reports of Standing Committee on Public Accounts, SCOPA, tabled here today. The overall recommendation of the two reports paint a bigger picture of the level of the financial accountability of the Third Party Fund, TPF and the then Department of Water Affairs and the Water Trading Entity. The gross incompetence in the financial management addressed by the Auditor-General should give rise to great course for concern.
Two days ago we debated the issue of corruption in South Africa in this august House. When we look at the report tabled here today we see, in front of our eyes, a very fertile breeding ground for corruption and financial mismanagement. The question that the NFP would like to have answered is why are state department entities allowed to continue operating in flagrant disregard for financial procedures with impunity. Surely, the senior management who are responsible for financial control ought to know the procedures and rules that they will need to observe and enforce. Surely, they ought to be qualified and sufficiently experienced to do their job properly.
The NFP would like to know why no action has been taken against the senior managers for such gross negligence of their duties. Must the Auditor-General keep on calling on these senior managers to comply with the financial control legislation, regulation and prescribed guidelines without any action being taken? Must SCOPA continue to call upon these senior managers to adhere to the recommendations of the Auditor-General year after year when it is plaintively clear that these recommendations are ignored with impunity? Hon Chair such a situation cannot be allowed to continue without serious repercussions for those who are neglecting their duties.
The NFP calls for swift and decisive action against those incompetent senior managers. We also call for the full investigation into the results of the financial mismanagement as pointed out in these reports in order to assess the degree in which these mismanagements have fuelled corruption and call to account those who have benefitted from such corruption. Failure to enforce accountability will continue to erode our democracy and make the mockery of the Constitution. This must not be allowed to happen.
In conclusion hon Deputy Speaker, the NFP supports the recommendations of the Committee on Public Accounts to adopt the report. Thank you.
Ms T D CHILOANE: Thank you Chairperson, hon members good afternoon. Hon members from other parties come here and say SCOPA brings reports after a year. Indeed we deal with annual reports. We are dealing with 2013-14 reports of the Third Party Funds, TPF. One of the functions of the Third Party Funds is to assist beneficiaries, who are children in most cases, who are not being supported by their parents either by their fathers or their mothers.
The committee has had the annual report from the Auditor-General, AG, and we are concerned and worried that the TPF fund has received a disclaimer. We have noted the concern that there were no adequate systems in place to maintain records of receivable accounts and payables. Daily and monthly processing of transactions were not implemented diligently. Therefore, the committee recommends that proper records should be implemented in all courts; daily and monthly controls should be done in all regions; ensure reliability of financial reporting; and proper record system and implementation; the national office verifies information from regional offices for accuracy and financial proper consequences for failure to comply with these should be applied to those who did that.
As the committee we also recommend that the implementation of the new account system should be fast tracked and be implemented in all courts and all cash halls. The Chairperson of the committee and the committee as a whole has a feeling and a view that the accounting system which was supposed to be put in place by the TPF is long overdue. We also believe that as long as the system is not in place it will take time for the fund to operate the way it is supposed to operate and to have the desired outcome that it is supposed to have.
We also welcome the signing of the new Bill by the hon President last week regarding blacklisting of defaulters in the maintenance payments for the fact that it will assist TPF in terms of managing their financial burdens which were affecting the entity. When we come to the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation we have also heard that the department has had a lot of problems in terms of providing financial system in place. We also admit that water is a source of life and it is also a natural source as enshrined in the Constitution. A qualified audit opinion which the AG had reported is that there were challenges in terms of the APP which were made without the approval of the Executive Authority. [Time Expired.] The ANC supports the report. [Applause.]
Motion agreed to.
Eighth Report of Committee on Public Accounts on Annual Report and Financial Statements of Third Party Funds and Report of Auditor General on 2013-14 financial year accordingly adopted (Economic Freedom Fighters dissenting).
Ninth Report of Committee on Public Accounts on Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Department of Water Affairs, Water Trading Entity and Report of Auditor General on 2013-14 financial year accordingly adopted.
The House adjourned at 17:10:59.
__________
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
The Speaker and the Chairperson
1. Assent by President in respect of Bills
- Maintenance Amendment Bill [B 16B – 2014] – Act No 9 of 2015 (assented to and signed by President on 7 September 2015).
National Assembly
The Speaker
- Referral of matter to Rules Committee
(a) The removal of Mr J S Malema (EFF) from the Chamber of the National Assembly on Wednesday, 9 September 2015, together with the unrevised Hansard, minutes and video recording of the proceedings in question, have been referred to the Rules Committee in terms of Rule 53A(12) for consideration of the circumstances of his removal.
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
1. The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) Government Notice No 737, published in Government Gazette No 39119 dated 21 August 2015: Regulations relating to Prosecutor’s Referral of Suspected Victims of Trafficking in Persons, made in terms of section 43(1)(a) of the Prevention and Combatting of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013 (Act No 7 of 2013).
COMMITTEE REPORTS
National Assembly
Please see pages 3420-3432 of the ATCs.
Please see pages 3432-3451 of the ATCs.
Audio
No related
Documents
No related documents