Hansard: NA: Mini-Plenary 1
House: National Assembly
Date of Meeting: 01 Mar 2024
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Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
MINI PLENARY - NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (VIRTUAL)
FRIDAY, 1 MARCH 2024
PROCEEDINGS OF HYBRID MINIPLENARY – NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Watch video here: NA: Mini-Plenary 1
Members of the mini-plenary session met on the virtual platform at 10:00.
The Acting Chairperson Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayer or meditation.
The Acting Chairperson announced that the virtual mini-plenary sitting constituted a meeting of the National Assembly.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Hon members, before we proceed, I would like to remind you that, the virtual mini-plenary is deemed to be in the precinct of Parliament and constitutes a meeting of the National Assembly for debating purposes only. In addition to the Rules of virtual sittings, the Rules of the National Assembly including the Rules of the debate apply. Members enjoy the same powers and privileges that apply in a sitting of National Assembly.
Members should equally note that anything said in the virtual platform is deemed to have been said in the House and may be ruled upon.
All members who have locked in shall be present and are requested to mute their microphones and only unmute when recognise to speak. This is because the mics are very sensitive and will pick up noise, which might disturb the attention of the other members.
When recognised to speak, please unmute your microphones and where connectivity permits connect your video. Members may make use of the icons on the bar at the bottom of their screens, which has an option to allow members to put up his or her hand to raise a point of order.
The Secretariat will assist in alerting the Chairperson to the members who are requesting to speak. When you see you are on a virtual system, members are urged to refrain or deceased from unnecessary points of orders or interjections.
Lastly, I wish to remind you that, we are meeting in the mini- plenary session and therefore, any decision will be taken in a full session of the Assembly.
PARLIAMENT’S ROLE IN TERMS OF SECTION 231(2) OF THE CONSTITUTION, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION'S PROPOSED PANDEMIC AGREEMENT AND AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS OF 2005
(Subject for Discussion)
Mr S N SWART: Chairperson, the ACD fully appreciates that the negotiating and signing of all international agreements is the responsibility of the national executive as set out in section 231(1) ... [Inaudible.] ...
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): I think the hon Swart is struggling with connectivity. Can the Table Staff assist us and perhaps request him to mute his video so that he can at least has better connection. We will wait for hon Swart because the motion is in his name. Table Staff, please alert me when hon Swart is connected on the platform.
Mr S N SWART: Chairperson, can you hear me now.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Yes, we can hear you. Keep your video muted so that we can ... Okay, if you have better connection you can proceed, hon Swart.
Mr S N SWART: My sincere apologies. Chairperson, the ACDP fully appreciates that the negotiating and signing of international agreements is the responsibility of the national executive.
However, section 231(2) states that agreements bind the Republic only after they have been approved by resolution in both the Houses of Parliament.
What the ACDP is concerned about is the time it takes for Parliament to consider and approve these international agreements. And we have also never seen Parliament amend any of such agreements. Surely Parliament is not just a rubber stamp.
Because of this ordinary delay, we also submit that Parliament also has an oversight function particularly when we come to far reaching international agreements such as we are discussing today and amendments to those agreements where there is a question about whether Parliament has any say about them at all.
Countries across the world have been asking questions about how government handle the COVID-19 pandemic - and what role did pharmaceuticals played in influencing government and the role of the World Health Organisation, WHO.
We as parliamentarians know our government was bullied into signing COVID-19 contracts with big farmer, paid billions of rands on highly unfavourable terms and that the manufacturers in those contexts acknowledged that the long-term effects of those drugs are unknown. That is what they said. We are now known about the significant numbers of vaccine injuries and even some deaths despite assurances that the vaccines are safe.
We also know that the World Health Organisation apart from spectacular failures ... [Inaudible.] ... for nuclear tobacco and manufactured HIN1 scar is riddle with conflict of interest from funding by big farmer, billionaires and influential members state mismanagement, corruption and even allegations of racism.
We now know there are many questions about how the WHO handled the COVID-19 pandemic and is rigid.
So, why is the two agreements’ so important and of such concern.
Both agreements are in our view very concerning as they are designed to transfer binding decision-making powers to the World Health Organisation. While the aim of improving how the world prevents and better prepares for disease outbreaks is laudable, what is being proposed appears to be nothing less than a par grab by the WHO.
Now the Pandemic Treaty must be tabled before Parliament. We accept that. But our greater concern is the amendments to the International Health Regulations being negotiated at present and which we believe Parliament has no say over at the state.
And we are grateful as the ACDP that the 47 nation African block led by Botswana push back against the US moves to amend these regulations.
But despite those objections, significant amendments were ... [Inaudible.] ...
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Hon Swart, we are missing your connectivity.
Mr S N SWART: ... [Inaudible.] ... objections by the African block and others ... [Inaudible.] ... I am going to turn off the camera. Thank you.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Please, hold on.
Mr S N SWART: Yes. So, why this amendment concerning. If I read these together ... [Inaudible.] ... It is very important to consider ... [Inaudible.] ...
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Hon members, we have lost, hon Swart. Can I invite a member of the ACDP to assist. Hon Swart time has expired.
Mr W M THRING: Chair, has hon Swart, time expired or is there still time left.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): You can continue, hon Thring, and conclude.
Mr W M THRING: Can I ask how much time he has left.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Table Staff, can you assist in the minutes that hon Swart is left with so that hon Thring can conclude. He has two minutes left. Hon Thring?
Mr W M THRING: Hon House Chairperson, let me continue and try attempt to conclude with the concerns that the ACDP has indicted. So, despite statement to the contrary reads the amendment together. They will undermine South Africa’s Sovereign right to determine its own public health policies. The vague definition of health could allow the war to declare pandemics even permanent pandemics can allow imposed binding restrictions such as lockdown surveillance and even mandatory treatment on countries. These measures are clearly far reaching and demand the attention of us not only as lawmakers but also in exercising oversight over the executive during negotiations.
The ACDP has said, we need to be mindful about who report of the review committee regarding amendments to the National Health Regulation 2005 stated on 6 February that sovereignty of state parties remains foundational to the regulations as with the revision nearly 20 years ago that led to the International Health Regulations proposed Amendments to them and will need careful balancing between state parties sovereign right to take actions necessary to protect its population against public health risk while recognising the mutual vulnerabilities and responsibilities and the imperative of international co-operation and solidarity, which are key enables of effect regulations.
A South African petition raising awareness gain the support of more than 12 000 people but has been largely ignored. And so, we are concern as the ACDP. The proposed amendment significantly changes what was previously the recommendations to binding requirements ... [Inaudible.] ... not to support these recommendations and the pandemic treaty. I thank you.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH: Hon Chairperson and to all our colleagues, hon Members of Parliament who are logged in and our staff, the need for international agreement, is recognising the preamble of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1959 as a source of international law and as means of developing peaceful co-operation amongst nations. The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa is the national legislative body and is responsible for making laws for the Republic as contemplated in sections 43 and 44 of our Constitution. Laws passed by the Parliament are applicable within the territory of the Republic and in some cases beyond the borders of the Republic. For example, that applies beyond our borders as in the Defence Act for defence members who were deployed outside South Africa, they may be issues related to military court and setting up issues and getting them sorted while they are there.
The role of Parliament in international law or convention is prescribed by our Constitution and governed by the rules of the National Assembly and those of the National Council of Provinces. The role of Parliament in international law or convention is prescribed by our Constitution and governed by the Rules of the National Assembly and those of the National Council of Provinces. Parliament has a role in terms of both national law and international law, which are called treaties or conventions. The negotiations and signing of the international agreements, treaties and conventions are the responsibility of the national executive, in this case, Cabinet.
Section 231 of the Constitution provides for matters relating to international law and agreements. It clearly delineates the roles played by different arms of state. In this instance, we refer to Cabinet as a national executive and Parliament, as the legislative authority. Parliament is expected in terms of Section 231(2) of our Constitution to approve the international law negotiated and included by the National Executive, as contemplated in Section 231(1) of the Constitution.
International agreements, such as the framework for Convention to Power Control and International Health Regulations 2005 must be ratified by Parliament for them to apply to the Republic. Thus section 231(2) provides that international law binds the Republic only after it has been approved by resolution in both National Assembly and NCOP, unless it is an agreement that does not require that ratification or accession.
The Constitution goes further in Section 231(4) and says that international law becomes law in the Republic when it is enacted into law by national legislation, but a self-executing provision of an agreement that has been approved by Parliament in law in the Republic, unless it is inconsistent with the Constitution of our country. Parliament’s crucial role in the constitutional law sphere as prescribed in the Constitution, is to approve agreements negotiated by the national executive, and I hope my colleague is listening. So, you won’t bring in Parliament to negotiate and to enact laws that domestic treaties require domestication for them to apply in South Africa.
Our experience of COVID-19 early 2020 exposed gaps, and I hope that goes very well with our members. It exposed gaps whatever we had, it exposed gaps such as inequity with regards to resources, requirement for prevention and management of COVID-19. There were inconsistencies in terms of the application of international response measures, like which country close borders, for how long and who did not have to come in there?
There were also inconsistencies with regards to information sharing and South Africa suffered severely, because there was one of our own Professor Tulio de Oliveira, who then came in with the advent of omicron and for that as a country we were negatively affected. Yet, it should have not happened. The inconsistent manner in which countries were implementing response measures to the pandemic, not only negatively affected the health of individual of families and communities, but also negatively affected economic activity in many sectors. It therefore became apparent that there’s a need for pandemic preparedness, including harmonisation of the public health interventions for future and learning and public health events in a multi country level, particularly countries that are Member States of the World Health Organisation, as we are in South Africa.
This therefore necessitated the review of how the world responds to pandemics and come up with strategic interventions, including legislative measures at both national and international level to prepare for and prevent any response to disease outbreaks in a manner that promotes equity, respect for human rights and sustain the livelihood of human beings. For this reason, the processes of amending international health regulations are currently underway not concluded, hon members and hon Swart.
But the negotiations will not be done by Parliament. It will be done by the national executive. Negotiations on this process are underway in Geneva. As I talk, some of our officials are there. That offers an opportunity to strengthen and extend core equity and human rights protections incorporating internationally recognised standards.
Shared responsibility recognises that the best way to keep people in each country safe is to keep people in all countries safe. But more than this, it is a value rooted in justice and equity that we endeavour to ensure the health of people everywhere, not only for our own health and safety for all people in the world. These revised International Health Regulations should, wherever possible further embody these values that are already included above on international law as provided in the Constitution. The executive member, in this case, our Minister is leading and ensuring participation in the ongoing negotiations discussions on the amended ... [Inaudible.].
So, I don’t understand the situation where we are told not to participate in negotiations and discussions. How then do we influence, and not recognise that the World Health Organisation is the only world expertise of knowledge in the world that guides us on the issues? Once this process has been concluded, the executive member will, as mandated by the Constitution that have really outlined above, present the amended international regulation for approval by Parliament as contemplated in Section 231(2) of the Constitution. So, we are not really having any problem here, we are negotiating as the country as it is expected, and once the negotiations have concluded, we will then come and seek this mandate from our Parliament. Once these treaties are approved by Parliament, it will then bind the Republic in the international agreement.
This approval, however, of the final amended International Health Regulations by Parliament, does not translate into domestication. There still exist a need for this once approved by Parliament to be domesticated into South African law, as contemplated Section 231(4) of our own Constitution for its provisions ...
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Hon Dr Dlomo, perhaps, can you mute your video?
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH: Okay
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Dr Dlomo. I suggest you mute your video.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH: Yes, I have done so. Can I continue? Can I continue, Chair?
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Yes, continue, Deputy Minister.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH: The role of Parliament does, however, not end with the enactment of the law. It must also play its oversight role to hold the national executive to account on behalf of the citizens of this beautiful country. Parliament has therefore 2 roles to play relating to international health regulations. The first is the approval of the treaty for South Africa to ratify the treaty and the second is the enactment of the International Health Regulations and its domestication into South African law.
Chairperson, I wish to reiterate the importance of International Health Regulations in the public health community. The International Health Regulations are implying the values of equity, human rights, solidarity, and international co-operation assistance. South Africa has taken this rightful place in the Community of nations and is currently participating in the negotiations in the process of amending the International Health Regulations, to usher in the new dispensation in regulating regional public health both locally and international. So, we do not understand when we are called upon not to participate in those.
Let me then maybe before closing quote because some of us in our different parties are Christians. But this party leading as a Christian Party should be respectful of what is found in the Romans Chapter 13, verse 1. I will read it in isiZulu, you will go and check for yourself, Mr Swart.
IsiZulu:
Lithi: “Akube yilowo nalowo azithobe phansi kwamandla ombuso, ngokuba akukho mandla ombuso angaveli kuNkulunkulu; lawa akhona amiswe nguNkulunkulu.”
English:
Now, we just find it very strange that the ACDP is selective in respecting the authority of the World Health Organisation. We, as a country, as the African National Congress, have no reason not to respect what comes in there and we would really want them to move away from these terms that WHO is bullying. They are coming in a spectacular way. This is the international recognised body that regulates and guides everybody on issues of public health and therefore, we will always listen to that. But the process that has been outlined does not indicate that as South Africa, we have jumped a gun, we have not. We are following the processes. We will come to Parliament and ask for approval once we have negotiated, but the negotiations are not held by Parliament. Thank you very much, hon Chair.
Ms M O CLARKE: Chairperson, it seems like we are all having problems with connection today. So, I will keep my camera off as well if that is okay with you.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): That is okay hon Clarke, please, do so because we are all having serious connectivity problem.
Ms M O CLARKE: Chairperson, it was almost four years ago when South Africans across the country adhered to government’s call to lock themselves in their homes for months on end due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We did this not for ourselves but for the greater good of society believing that our government would protect us and use this time to build more hospitals and to cater for increased demand. How wrong we were!
What followed was an autocratic dictatorship by the ANC drunk and high on power. We had nonsensical rules and regulations like the curfew forgetting the much needed exercise for the SA Police Service, SAPS, were eagerly waiting to arrest any founded person outside one minute of the curfew from the time or stepping on beach sand. We had a ban on ... [Inaudible.]
... and chicken, no open toed shoes and a total ban on alcohol and cigarettes. Now, four years later and, we have almost forgotten, our friends of Minister Dlamini-Zuma benefited from the illicit trade during these times.
Nevertheless, the ANC’s failure to effectively deal with the pandemic was not an isolated incident. Time after time the ANC fails again and again to effectively deal with problems facing South Africa. It has failed to effectively deal with unemployment, it has failed to deal with high crime rates, it has failed to deal with rising costs of living and it has failed to deal with the health crisis. It is most unusual that we sang yet today debating an art which has not even been finalised yet. We have no indication of which clauses will remain and which will go.
The World Health Treaty must undergo regular scrutiny before South Africa commits to it. The DA stands firm on upholding our national sovereignty and ensuring that any international agreement respects our Constitution. We will not allow any treaty to compromise our ability to manage our own healthcare. The DA will not falter in our commitment to debate the final form of this treaty in Parliament and vehemently oppose any threats against our country.
However, what is certain about this treaty regardless of its contents is that it will not fix the health costs. While the ANC have already bulldozed the National Health Insurance, NHI, Bill through both Houses, we will still have hospitals without electricity, adequate staffing of doctors and nurses or basic equipment and materials to operate. We do not even have a budget to employ the unemployment doctors sitting at home just waiting for work. These issues will not be fixed overnight by a stroke of a pen, if anything, it will only exacerbate the disaster further.
The ANC government is attempting to fool South Africans into believing that ... [Inaudible.] ... provided quality healthcare, all that was required was a centralised fund through the NHI. Chairperson, we saw what the ANC and its cadres did during COVID-19 pandemic, stealing billions of rands even the Minister of Health was implicated in the scandal. Despite the obvious corruption that will ensue in a single fund, the NHI is materially and fatally defective.
Clauses are vague and has not been costed and extraordinary powers are given to the centralised fund and to the Minister
The only way to fix the failing healthcare system is to bring in a new government in May and the new government is a DA government. The DA has a blueprint to rescue South Africa. In a new government the DA will ... [Interjections.] ... quality healthcare for all, irrespective of your economic status. No person shall be subjected to higher premium based on their healthcare status nor incur unaffordable out of pocket medical expenses. The DA will lower private healthcare costs and guarantee a minimum package of services which is an alternative to the NHI.
We will introduce social reinsurance or medical schemes which will reimburse actual expenses. We will be introducing a risk equalisation strategy for medical schemes which involve transferring funds between different health insurance plans to adjust to the expected cost of medical care with the goal is to treat all insurance plans as if they are part of one large fund.
To ensure accountability and prevent corruption, the DA will ensure a corrupt free in healthcare system by removing politicians like the Minister from administration, regulators and any public entities responsible for healthcare services. We will establish and investigate structure to address fruitless, wasteful and irregular expenditure which plagues the healthcare budget year after year. We know that the NHI
Bill is sitting on the President’s desk as we speak, which he will surely keep on his desk until a few weeks before the election to score as many cheap political points as possible.
Mr President, the Constitution requires you to refer the Bill back to Parliament and to the Constitutional Court if there are constitutional concerns. Should you attempt to sign the Bill into law anyway and refuse to abide by your constitutionally mandated duties, the DA will ensure that you are taken to court. I think you, Chairperson.
Ms N MHLONGO: Chair, I am asking from you if I can keep my video off because I am worried about the network connection.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Yes, you are permitted to do so.
Ms N MHLONGO: Chairperson, according to section 232(2) of the Constitution and international agreement binds the Republic only after being approved by resolution in both the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces, unless it is an agreement referred to in subsection (3). In the national sphere of government, the legislative power of the Republic is vested in Parliament whereupon the Parliament is responsible for making and passing laws.
Chair, with the National Assembly also scrutinising and overseeing the actions of the executive, National Council of provinces on the other hand must ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government by taking part in the lawmaking process and by being the forum where issues affecting the provinces are debated publicly. The Members of Parliament have freedom of speech subject only to the rules of the Houses when they participate in committees or debate.
However, needless to say that the Committee on Health never played a role in the World Health Organisation, WHO, proposed pandemic agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations of 2005. They ... [Inaudible.] ...to ensure that they can bring important matters to the attention of the public with specific reference to the WHO proposed pandemic agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations of 2005 while they still denied.
As with the importance of the public in the work of Parliament is emphasised by the fact that the Constitution instruct
Parliament to facilitate public participation in lawmaking process and to take reasonable measures for public access to its committee meetings and House sittings which is also overlooked as an important matter. Furthermore, the discussions on proposals to amend the International Health Regulations has not been conducted since the 7th meeting of the working group on amendments which was held on 05 to 09 February 2024. Discussions will resume again on the 08 March to end the seventh round.
This working group will be engaged in the definition of the next 10 years of global surveillance and of collective security when it comes to health emergencies and particularly high impact epidemics. It is reported that during the latest discussions governments focus on refining amendments, articles and annexes that were at an advanced stage of negotiation including substantive dialogue on the public health alert. The public health emergency of international concern on the pandemic continuum, where in South Africa substantive dialogue that include the public participation take place except that draconian laws were imposed during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, the proposed amendment to provision the related governance and foundational articles of the regulations will be addressed in April 2024 to finalise the package of amendments for consideration by the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024. It is not necessary at this stage to embark on the discussion of such nature since the process of amendment is still in the drafting stage. Thank you very much, Chair.
Ms M D HLENGWA: Hon Chair, I am also going to switch off my video, because of the connectivity. The Covid-19 pandemic devastated many countries across the globe, not only in terms of their economies, but also drained all countries of their medical staff and resources. This period in our recent history clearly marks a lack of provisions and procedures in most countries, when it comes to the immediate dangers caused by various things of this nature.
We saw countries scrambling to fight back against this, and various Presidents desperate for solutions, and health Ministers running around to find vaccines and cures. Just like with the Spanish flu and the HIV and Aids pandemic, the world was caught off guard and simply not ready for this sheer force of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Therefore, the IFP welcomes the World Health Organisation proposed Pandemic Agreement. The IFP concurs with the agreement that countries should have institutions in place, fully equipped with the technology and expertise needed to have a sustainable production of pandemic-related products. In South Africa, we have no shortage of brilliant scientific and medical minds. However, there is a lack of investment from the government to invest in the expertise of these individuals.
We also welcome the advocate for a multilateral system that will provide countries with access to pathogens and benefit sharing that derives from them, such as vaccine and other pandemic-related products. The Covid-19 pandemic showed us that viruses do not have any regard for geographical boundaries. It did not tie itself to any specific country. Instead, it took many lives across the globe. Therefore, the solution we seek should also be collective and ... [Inaudible.] ... defining.
In conclusion, the Covid-19 pandemic has drastically changed the world as we knew it and with that rendered quite a number of regulatory ... [Time expired.] I thank you.
Afrikaans:
Mnr P A VAN STADEN: Agb Voorsitter, die VF Plus het vrae oor die ondertekening van die Internasionale Verdrag oor Pandemievoorkoming en Paraatheid deur lidlande van die Wêreldgesondheidsorganisaie, WGO. Die ANC-regering het die ondertekening van hierdie verdrag so stilgehou, totdat die publiek dit in Mei 2022 onder die aandag van die VF Plus en alle Lede van die Parlement gebring het. Die publiek het in ’n skrywe aan die Parlementslede navraag gedoen oor die Suid- Afrikaanse regering se betrokkenheid by hierdie verdrag.
Na eie ondersoek het dit aan die lig gekom dat die Suid- Afrikaanse regering deel van hierdie onderhandelinge was en ook moontlik die medeondertekenaars van hierdie verdrag sou wees.
Deur hierdie verdrag te onderteken kan die Wêreldgesondheidsorganisasie in die toekoms aan Suid-Afrika voorskryf hoe om ’n pandemie op tuisbodem te bestuur. Dit kan Suid-Afrika se soewereiniteit in die gedrang bring, dit terwyl ons almal weet watter uiters nadelige gevolge die Covid-19- inperkings, wat die ANC op ons almal afgedwing het deur middel van sinnelose inperkingsregulasies, op die land se ekonomie en die welvaart van ons mense gehad het.
Alvorens enige verdrae oor enige pandemie met ander lande en internasionale organisasies gesluit word, veral die WGO, behoort die Suid-Afrikaanse publiek hiervan kennis te dra en moet hulle toegelaat word om insette daaroor te kan lewer.
Ons mag nie toelaat dat sulke verdrae in die geheim onderteken word nie.
English:
Section 231 of the South African Constitution clearly stipulates that any international treaty is only binding, once the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces have adopted it. It seems that the current ANC government cannot be trusted with enforcing states of disasters and health regulations. It must also, in this matter, follow the correct route with the public participation process.
The FF Plus has already made this clear during a meeting between the Portfolio Committee on Health and the delegation from the European Parliament on 22 February 2023. The FF Plus also emphasised that poor decisions and mistakes made during the Covid-19 pandemic must not be repeated and that all the member states of the WHO must carefully consider the proposed treaty.
It could in fact be dangerous to rely too heavily on input from the ANC. It is of the utmost importance that the South African public is afforded the opportunity to submit comments on the WHO’s plans about the International Health Treaty, which government will sign on their behalf and is therefore also important to disclose all the details of the Treaty.
Afrikaans:
Die Parlement, veral Lede van die Parlement het ’n plig teenoor die Suid-Afrikaanse publiek om nie sommmer meer hierdie verdrag te ondersteun nie. Ons moet an die publiek kan wys dat die Parlement nie as ’n demokratiese instelling nie net ’n rubberstempel van die ANC is wat ssy meerderheid misbruik om hierdie sinnelose verdrag te onderteken en te laat goedkeur nie.
Hierdie verdrag is nie ’n verdrag wat van tegniese, adminstratiewe of uitvoerende aard is nie, maar wel ’n verdrag wat die goedkeuring van beide die Parlement se Huise vereis.
Ons kan dus nou reeds begin om Suid-Afrika te herstel en te bou deur hierdie verdrag summier af te keur wanneer dit voor die twee Huise van die Parlement dien vir beslissing, indien die publiek nie die geleentheid gekry het om hul insette daaroor te lewer nie. Kom ons stel die voorbeeld en bring die
inhoud van hierdie verdrag in die ope en gaan vra die publiek om insette te lewer, om sodoende uitvoering te gee aan die beleidsraamwerk vir die openbare deelnameproses. Kom ons herstel en bou en kom ons stuur die ANC met sy geheimhoudings terug huis toe. Dankie.
Mr W M THRING: Hon House Chairperson, I wish to make it abundantly clear that the World Health Organisation’s two instruments, the proposed Pandemic Agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations are nothing short of an autocratic, dictatorial move towards a one-world government, seeking to erode the sovereignty of independent nations.
The ACDP believes that the proposed Pandemic Treaty read with the amendments to the International Health Regulations will set humanity into a new era that is strangely organised around pandemics. A new governance structure under WHO auspices will oversee the International Health Regulation amendments and related activities. It will rely on new funding requirements, including the WHO’s ability to demand additional funding and materials from countries and to run a supply network to support its work in health emergencies, as seen under article 12.
The WHO’s attempt to limit freedom of speech, such as contained in annexure 1 article 5(e), relating to counter-, misinformation and disinformation is nothing other than a censoring of unofficial views, in order to protect the WHO from what they call information integrity. This is not acceptable and certainly a breach of our constitutional rights.
Some of the many articles in the controversial two instruments include giving the WHO Director-General the power to unilaterally declare a public health emergency in any country, without the country’s agreement. In the UK Parliament, Philip Davies warned that we are talking about a top-down approach to global public health, hardwired into international law.
At the top of that top-down approach, we have our single source of truth on all pandemics, the World Health Organisation Director-General, who it appears, will have the sole authority to decide when and where these regulations will, and can be deployed. Secondly, whether a real or potential health emergency that the country would have, the country would have a mere 48 hours to respond or explain or face the consequences, including sanctions. And thirdly, WHO
will have the power to require mandatory pharmaceutical products, including quarantines.
The ACDP does not call for government to stop negotiations, as the Deputy Minister indicated, but demands that it will not agree to any international health regulations amendments that would compromise South Africa’s ability to make its own domestic decisions on national public health. The ACDP has recorded its formal objections to the International Health Regulatory Amendments to the World Health Organisation and call on all political parties and South Africans to reject the Who’s power grab under the guise of pandemic preparedness.
Thank you.
Mr A M SHAIK-EMAM: Chairperson, thank you for the opportunity, on behalf of the NFP, allow me to reiterate some of the very serious concerns we have. Given the status quo in the world today, it is common knowledge institutions and organisations like the World Health Organization, the International Monetary Fund, IMF, the World Bank, NATO, UN, are all toothless, powerful institutions that want to marginalise, neglect, dictate to the entire world, but at the same time, these bodies are toothless to the extent that they have lost their
independence and consistency, and it appears that we, South Africa, are falling into this trap.
We've heard repeatedly the attempt to depopulate the world. We have heard how the pharmaceutical industries have become so powerful in the world, and as a result of the pandemic, how many more billionaires it created, only because of the pharmaceutical industry linked to the latest COVID-19. We also heard in our country, the efforts by me and the ACDP and others to introduce Ivermectin and all the restrictions and opposition we had from the Department of Health, and of course not forgetting the World Health Organization and others. Why? Because of the vaccines that they wanted to introduce at a very high cost at the expense of our country. We also know institutions like the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority, Sahpra, which are funded by some of these organisations, have lost their independence and not acting in the best interest of this country.
Bullying, yes indeed, the World Health Organization is a bully like many other international institutions, and yes, what will happen here, is we will give more power and authority to the World Health Organization, and it is for that reason I want to quote what President Putin said, “We need another World Health
Organization.” So, we're not in dispute with the World Health Organization, we are in dispute with the World Health Organization, which appears to be compromised.
Now my other concern is despite the fact that there's so much opposition in the country to this agreement, we still want to pass it, yet we say, the people shall govern. When are we going to put the people first? The NFP will not support this. Thank you. [Time expired.]
Ms M L MOROANE: Chairperson, thanks for the opportunity that has been given to me. I don't know whether my video ...
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): You can mute your video. Continue.
Ms M L MOROANE: Must I close or unmute?
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Your video. Close your video and continue.
Ms M L MOROANE: Thank you very much hon Chairperson, and greetings to all members of this mini plenary. The World Health Organization, along with other health agencies remind
us that the health landscape is constantly evolving and that our global community is prone to health threats, emerging outbreaks and infectious diseases. Therefore, the development of international agreements is in line with aiding and supporting the global community to ensure that we formulate co-ordinated and effective responses to health risks.
To this end, the South African Constitution under section 231(2), which is also celebrated throughout the world, places the responsibility to deliberate, approve and or reject certain international agreements in Parliament. In this regard, Parliament is charged with performing an oversight role on the agreement entered into by our government and ensuring that they are aligned with the principles enshrined in our beautiful Constitution, reinforce our democratic values and complement our strategic development plans.
For the interest of the nation to be upheld and find expression in international agreements requires a robust Parliament with dedicated Members of Parliament who from time to time empower themselves with the necessary knowledge to engage in informal and meaningful discussions, deliberating on agreements proposed and evaluating these against their implications on our country. Advancing the interests of South
African citizens requires collective responsibility where Members of Parliament co-operate and partake in vigorous debates, sharing their insights and different perspectives for consideration.
Although Parliament consists of different political parties, these constructive deliberations must occur beyond partisan lines for Members of Parliament to fulfil their constitutional mandate, notwithstanding that others will take this opportunity to use it as a political football. Again, it cannot be overemphasised enough how the country's interest must always take precedence over any political affiliations.
However, the role of Parliament extends beyond debating, approving and or rejecting international agreements in line with section 231(2) of the Constitution. The responsibility also extends to the implementation and monitoring of agreements. Implementation also has an impact. Parliament plays a pivotal role in ensuring good governance in our country, promoting transparency and accountability as well as ensuring that there are checks and balances in terms of what is expected to protect and improve our public health system.
The COVID-19 pandemic also exemplifies the vital role of Parliament processes in navigating health crises and engaging with international health engagements to safeguard the wellbeing of our people and the global community at large.
During this period, we saw a united Parliament with members who robustly engaged and deliberations with various stakeholders about the nature of the virus and appropriate responses to it. Through parliamentary oversight, we were able to see our government swiftly responding to the crisis by creating testing centres, making vaccines available, as well as creating a safety net for the poor and vulnerable through the SRD grant, which is loved by many South Africans and now has popularly been referred to as the R350s and others call it
...
IsiZulu:
... u-Ramaphosa uyabathanda abantu abangasebenzi, u-Ramaphosa uthanda abantu abahlezi emakhaya.
English:
To this end, this places responsibility on the citizens to play an active role in combating the legislative processes by following the work of Parliament, writing to Parliament also and supporting advocacy groups and participating in other
democratic methods and systems to hold public representatives accountable for prioritising health equity. All South Africans must utilise their democratic right to continue shaping the laws that govern them of our country and the world we live in.
Furthermore, it is through consultative processes with the citizens that the quality of decision-making by Members of Parliament is improved for making laws as they can gain deeper insight into the implications of their decisions on the lives of various groups. Furthermore, this type of inclusivity in the decision-making of Parliament promotes social cohesion and helps prevent the marginalisation of certain groups when passing these laws. There are many lessons we can draw from historical and current health challenges such as HIV/Aids and the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the primary lessons here is that it is in our collective interest as a global community to build healthier and more resilient communities that are less prone to contracting and spreading infectious diseases and viruses. This, however, can only be realised through advocating for the realisation of a more equitable global health system through the internationally proposed Parliament.
I must indicate that such health threats like the one mentioned before of HIV/Aids and COVID-19 have a trickle
effect which also hinders socioeconomic development and does constrain the government from addressing other fundamental burdens which plague our society as the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment.
As I conclude, hon Chairperson and members, therefore, the eradication of global health disparities requires a multiphased approach where all the stakeholders play a critical role in the development, implementation and monitoring of international agreements. In this, every government has a responsibility to ensure that we create an enabling environment for the perpetuating of health inequality and address all challenges. I thank you, hon Chair.
Mr S M JAFTA: Hon Acting House Chair, while the provision of section 231(2) of the Constitution may not be applicable because the pandemic agreement is still being discussed, they are nonetheless important for the purpose of this debate. This is so because an international agreement bind the Republic after Parliament has approved it. The pandemic agreement draft, once finalised and ratified by the state parties, must be approved by our Parliament. This will pave the way for the agreement to be domesticated in our domestic laws. Just to remind ourselves, hon members, in December 2021, the World
Health Assembly established an intergovernmental negotiating body to draft and negotiate a convention or agreement under the Constitution of the World Health Organisation to strangle pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
Hon members, there were equally prominent topics considered by member states. The first related to the transfer of developing countries of technical and scientific expertise, technology supports, sustainable finance to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. There was also a discussion on fake news, disinformation and misinformation.
Parliament only becomes relevant once these issues have been agreed upon and ratified. Once ratified, South Africa will intend pass legislation to regulate pandemic responses, this dissemination of fake news, the protection of personal information and how government department can work together to co-ordinate their efforts around pandemic prevention and the sharing of technical or scientific knowledge.
We are therefore of the view that before we invoke the provision of section 231 of the Constitution, we must organise a strong lobby to influence the ratification of the pandemic agreement by member states. I thank you.
Ms M B HICKLIN: Acting House Chair, the debate before this House, the World Health Organisation, WHO, Pandemic Treaty, is in the Democratic Alliance’s opinion, somewhat premature. The reason being that the treaty is only at the developmental stage, and the final version has yet to be determined. That being said, there are many divergent views on the treaty and its contents, one of the main areas of which I will address today. However, I would like to make two points very clear, section 231(2) of the Constitution is very clear that the WHO Pandemic Agreement or any other international agreement for that matter, can only bind South Africa to it after it has been approved by both the National Assembly and the NCOP. Law in South Africa by national legislation and any treaty that usurps the public powers of the government of all South Africa’s sovereignty is inconsistent with our Constitution and that will not be allowed or facilitated by the Democratic Alliance.
However, back to the matter at hand. The rationale behind the treaty of this nature is vital. It is a protection of human rights and the civil liberties in future health pandemics, which will occur. The WHO plays a pivotal role in the direction and co-ordination of international responses to health pandemics. If one looks at the South African response
to the coronavirus disease, Covid-19, pandemic, for example, everyone in the country welcomed the initial five-week lockdown, as this was meant for hospital preparedness and for the preservation of lives and livelihoods of all our citizens. The ANC government, through the Disaster Management Act imposed the longest stated disaster of any country in the world. It lasted 750 days from 15 March 2020 to 4 April 2022, and trampled on the civil liberties of every single citizen in this country with ridiculous laws that range that one could drink a glass of wine, buy a cooked chicken or a cigarette.
All measures which the Democratic Alliance fought virulently as they were neither medically appropriate nor scientifically evidence based. This WHO Treaty is designed to prevent, prepare and respond to pandemics with the aim to comprehensively and effectively address scientific gaps and challenges that exist in these areas at national, regional and international levels.
The greatest misnomer surrounding this treaty, though, is in the area of sovereignty of member states to manage their own health care without interference from international bodies. The ANC is hellbent on ensuring that the National Health Insurance, NHI, gets implemented at all costs in South Africa. The Democratic Alliance applauds the ideal of universal health
coverage, but as my colleague the hon Clarke has eloquently elaborated upon, the NHI is not the answer for South Africa. The WHO will have no say in this regard, and neither will anybody else for that matter. If the ANC has anything to do with it, they have made that abundantly clear. Well, at least until June 2024.
The last but most important issue that I would like to raise is that South Africa, or rather the ANC government, was supposed to have made input into this treaty document in December. As a committee, we don’t know whether input was made. We don’t know what that input entailed. No wonder there are dozens of conspiracy theories flying around as to the input because this input is in the hands of the same ANC government that is selling South Africa down the NHI road as quickly as it can. That is why South Africa where you put your cross on 29 May is so vital. A DA-led government will never miss a deadline on an issue as vital as the WHO Pandemic Treaty. The time for change is now, and so I ask you, vote appropriately. I thank you.
Dr K L JACOBS: House Chairperson, morning to everybody ... 19
... [Inaudible.] ... pass as we constantly are caught up in dealing with the matters of late on a daily basis. Yet, we
must not forget the lives lost and the sacrifices made by the health care professionals and staff in the health sector during this difficult time in the history of the world. Yet, hardly two years later, some people see to this honour the sacrifices all those heroes, like hon Clarke and Hicklin are doing here is just for simply party politicking and asking people to vote for them. The international spread of disease is a global threat with serious consequences for lives, livelihoods, societies and economies. It therefore requires the widest possible international co-operation in an effective, co-ordinated, appropriate and comprehensive international response. Centrally, the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated that no single government or institution can address the threat for future pandemics or even epidemics in isolation, the world is one interconnected place.
In December 2021, as correctly stated by another hon member, the World Health Organisations, 194 member states, reached a consensus to start drafting and negotiating a convention or agreement or international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. You must remember that this was a response to the devastating effects of the pandemic. It would be unwise not to develop such an agreement. It was addressing ... [Inaudible.] ... that is agreement. It’s
then proposed as an international ... [Inaudible.] ... and processes are thus underway to amend the international health regulations of 2005. In both reforms, emphasis displays of equity and timely access to medical supplies needed for pandemic response.
South Africa faces evolving health challenges influenced by a combination of social economic, environmental and demographic factors. Over the years, the country has made significant progress. In addressing some of these health issues, however, new challenges continue to emerge. Therefore, South Africa, like many other countries, faces ongoing challenges in managing emerging health threats, compounded by disparities in equity and access to health care services. Moreover, the effects of climate change are increasingly making countries and communities vulnerable to a range of diseases, new and old.
In the light of these challenges, there’s a need for the domestic updated health regulations to ensure that South Africa’s public health response remains effective and adaptive, and the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the need for agile ended the adapted regulatory frameworks to facilitate rapid response and containment. These regulations are
essential to ensure that South Africa can effectively address emerging health threats and safeguard the health and well- being of its population in a rapidly changing world. It’s important through technology importance of global health frameworks for managing pandemics such as Covid-19 effectively. It will be included to South Africa to participate in an international effort to prevent, detect and respond to pandemics. This might involve sharing data, resources and expertise, while also ensuring that its own pandemic preparedness is robust.
It is crucial to continuously balance national interest within global health framework by prioritising the health needs of the country’s population, while also engaging in international collaboration to address health and global health challenges effectively. This balancing act ... [Inaudible.] ... of ensuring access to essential medicines by all citizens, while also supporting global health initiatives and promoting affordable access to medicines for all, strengthening health systems globally, which can indirectly benefit South Africa as well.
It’s important that South Africa commit to placing human rights as enshrined in the Constitution at the centre of
global arrangements and agreements, thus reflecting its dedication to fostering a more just and equitable world, both within its borders and beyond. By prioritising human rights principles in the responses to health threats, our country can strengthen its public health system, build trust among its population and promote health equity. South Africa’s efforts to promote domestic and continental surveillance research and medicines and vaccines production will not only improve health care outcomes with citizens, but also to economic development, innovation and the regional collaboration. Covid-19 pandemic
... [Inaudible.] ... bear the urgent need for the African continent to accelerate investments in building vaccine development and manufacturing capabilities, while developed countries bordered excess vaccines. African countries, including South Africa struggled to gain access.
It was an increase investment ... [Inaudible.] ... the achievement of the target of manufacturing of at least 60% of vaccines consumed in Africa. In showing support for African continental medicines and vaccines production, the Portfolio Committee on Health on 26 May 2023, adopted its report on the establishment of the African Medicines Agency. The African Medicines Agency aims to improve access to quality state and education to medical products on the continent. The South
African government is working with local pharmaceutical companies to teach that the biotechnology sector in the country to reduce the reliance on imports and improve vaccines supply. Biopharmaceutical companies founded in partnership with the South African government, is a case in point. The best available science and data should inform and be the basis for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, as well as the public health decisions and development of plans, and not what party politics or party politicians would like to put forward as they do today. I’m going to repeat that the best available science and evidence should form the basis of any decisions which are taken.
Investment in research, development and innovation is essential in building resilience against future pandemics and epidemics by leveraging scientific advancements and fostering collaboration. We can better prepare, detect, respond to, and mitigate the impact of infectious diseases on global health security. South Africa’s Covid-19 response, which is known in the world, has been one of the best responses, contrary to what some members are trying to say here, as demonstrated the need for local and global partnerships, but more importantly highlighted the importance of continued and advanced investment in research and development. International health
agreements often emphasise the importance of access to health care services.
South Africa’s proposed universal health coverage, known as the National Health Insurance, would reduce disparities in access to health care by providing comprehensive package of services to all citizens, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location. NHI will align domestic health policies with international commitments and promote harmonisation of approaches to health financing service delivery and health governance. The World Health Organisation remains the cornerstone of global health governance, taking the lead in international responses to public health emergencies through establishing, monitoring and enforcing international guidelines and health policies and co-ordinating multiple actions towards common goals. Moreover, the World Health Organisation provided critical support in strengthening South Africa’s Covid-19 preparedness and response by providing technical expertise in accordance with the emergency response framework providing strategic support at national level, supporting response co-ordination, comprehensive ... [Inaudible.] ... and implementing innovative in epidemiology models and tools.
In conclusion, as a summary as a country, we need to ensure equitable access to health care services for every citizen, strengthen our health system, ensure more investment in the research development and innovation and build capacity. Thank you very much, Acting House Chairperson.
Mr S N SWART: Acting House Chair, the ACDP would like to thank the Deputy Minister and all members for today’s debate, and we believe that we’ve succeeded in raising public awareness about these two controversial international instruments. We echo Dr Jacob’s expression of thanks to all medical doctors and nurses, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. At no stage did we say the executives shouldn’t be involved in negotiations. Clearly, it’s not the role of Parliament, but what we wanted to know is why Parliament has not been updated with progress on negotiations given the controversy about the treaty and the amendments to the International Health Regulations.
We are grateful that the Deputy Minister has now made it clear that not only will the amendments be subject to Parliament to approval but must be domesticated into our law, and we would urge that the full public participation process is embarked upon. However, the challenge is that this only takes place
after the treaty and regulations have been signed. We agree with the hon Shaik that the WHO is a bully and that we need to be fully aware of what is being negotiated and we would have sought at the very least that the Portfolio Committee on Health is updated on those negotiations to persuade two months ahead of this very important vote in May at the World Health Assembly. The ACDP, like parliamentarians in India, Chile, Slovakia, New Zealand, the United States, US, the United Kingdom, UK, and other countries have raised an urgent alarm on this important issue. Therefore, we are grateful for the time for this discussion. I thank you.
Debate concluded.
POLICY OVERSIGHT OVER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2019 TO 2024 MEDIUM TERM STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION (MS F A MASIKO):
Ms F A MASIKO: Hon Chairperson, for purposes of connectivity through you, hon House Chair, I would request to switch off my video.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): You are welcome to do so.
Ms F A MASIKO: Hon Chairperson, House Chair, as well as hon members, the Sixth Administration was entrusted with the responsibility of administering the executive over the
five-year electoral period by the people of South Africa. Central to the task of the executive, is to translate the electoral mandate from the people, which is premised on the ANC manifesto. Over the years, the ANC has developed policies that have envisaged a free and developed South Africa that creates equal opportunities for its citizens to have a better life that is not premised on race or gender but seeks to create a non-racial and non-sexist of South Africa.
The Sixth Parliament has overseen the executive to ensure its first translate the electoral mandate to a Medium-Term Strategic Framework. The Sixth Administration developed priorities emanating from the ANC manifesto, which committed to:
One, transform the economy to serve the people, advanced social transformation, build better and safer communities, fight corruption and promote integrity, strengthen governance and public institutions, build national unity, and embrace diversity and promote a better South Africa, Africa, and the world.
The Sixth Administration that translated the ANC manifesto commitments to seven priorities derived from the National Development Plan, NDP, the electoral mandate, as well as state of the nation address, Sona. Priority one, addressed a capable ethical and developmental state, priority two, addressing economic transformation and job creation, priority three looked at education, skills and health, priority four, deals with consolidating the social wage through reliable and quality basic education, priority five, with the special integration, human settlements as well as local government, with priority six, dealing with social cohesion and safer communities, and priority seven, addressing a better Africa and the world.
These priorities, hon members constituted the core of the program of the past five years of the Sixth Administration. A critical aspect which enables the realization of these priorities, is ensuring adequate financial resources are available to support the implementation of the priorities.
In our oversight functions we have observed a high level of alignment about allocating finances to advance the priorities. Despite having a constrained fiscal position, the Sixth Administration has balanced maintaining financial
sustainability and ensuring the government priorities are adequately supported.
We can confidently state that our government has allocated over 60% of its budget to social wages. The social wage is a social wage package to reduce inequality and address the worst effects of poverty. This includes free basic services, education, and social housing for the poor and an extensive social security grant system.
The government has increased existing social grants to cushion the poor against rising inflation. We have extended the social relief of distress grant to the end of March 2024. We are also developing a longer-term alternative for targeted basic income support to replace the social relief of distress grant.
Since 2019, the social wage has enabled the expansion of higher education and training funding, which has grown significantly over the past five years as the government currently offers free education for the poor in the country.
Today hon members, the Tintswalo has a caring government providing social support until postgraduate studies. Education is our investment in the future of our country. To highlight
some of the key achievements of the Six Administration, the government has supported more than 90% of Technical Vocational Education and Training, TVET, college students funded through the National student Financial Aid Scheme.
To lower the cost of education materials, 97% of our higher learning education sites are zero rated, which enables free electronic access to lectures as well as resources.
Yes, hon members, NSFAS faces some challenges, but they are not challenges of regression but of progression. To provide a safety net for children who are vulnerable and poor, the ANC led-government has supported over 9,6 million learners, who have received nutritious meals, daily. As such, children from the poorest schools across the country have benefited wherever the program has been implemented. Hunger has been combated and the overall school attendance has improved, including enhancing the learning capacity of learners.
Hon Chairperson, the government, and the sanitation appropriate for education initiative have built over 55 000 appropriate toilets with resources from the public and private sectors. This also signifies how government has expanded its
partnerships to address essential services, which signals the ability to crowd private investment for social services.
According to the 2022 census findings released on the 10th of October 2023, six out of 10 children aged between zero to four years had access to some early childhood development programs. These critical human development indicators have demonstrated the progress made to transform our education sector.
As we begin the next 30 years of democracy, the vision of the ANC is to ensure all children have access to early learning and care. This will place our developmental trajectory higher. We are in the process of social transformation and our recent democracy needs to continually adapt to changing conditions, address the challenges and build on the achievements. The ANC has reviewed the implementation of its manifesto and we have identified areas which require a continuous focus. But we have resolved to prioritize job creation and industrialization.
We should not sing along a narrative which claims there has been no progress. We face various social and economic challenges, but the focus and determination of the ANC
led-government will create a better future. Thank you very much, hon Chairperson.
Mr A N SARUPEN: Chairperson, it’s always interesting when the ANC tables a matter for debate in this House, because there seems to be a fair amount of amnesia going on, as though the political correctness, PC, when the ANC retook office in 2019, was not in government for the preceding 25 years. So, it’s always fascinating to listen to ANC speakers in this debate.
Now when we look at the topic for debate today, which is the Medium-Term Strategic Framework, we see that this demonstrates exactly how poorly this administration has performed over the past five years. So, it’s very brave for the ANC to bring this for debate because it allows us to give us a full meaningful review of the failures of this government. And South Africans are tired of being let down by a government that promises the world that delivers nothing but disappointments.
Now let me cut to the chase, the Medium-Term Strategic Framework, presented initially in 2019, has become yet another glossy slide deck presents filled with grand promises that have crumbled in the face of a government that lacks capacity due to cadre deployment and corruption.
The first priority in the MTSF was a promise to build a capable ethical and developmental state. And this is tied to
the new dawn that promised the government that would deliver on its commitments, but instead the citizens received an administration drowning in its own incompetence.
It remains a fact that our institutions are in sorry states so and has resulted in additional failing service delivery that have left citizens without power for six or more hours a day. And have triggered water shedding across the country for the first time during the term of this administration. And it’s a testament to a government that seems incapable of organizing a single cooperate.
The second priority in the medium-term strategic framework, promised economic transformation and job creation. But after nearly five years, what does this administration have to show for it? They have the struggling economy and a jobs crisis that is spiralling out of control. Seven in 10 young people aged 15 to 24, not in education, employment or training cannot find any work at all. And the government that talks about economic transformation instead delivers programs that transform the lives only of ANC cadres at the expense of everyone else.
Corruption has become embedded throughout the state, through black economic empowerment, BEE, which reserves government tenders and economic opportunities for party members and fails to create jobs. It does make ANC members however very wealthy.
And the reality is that the key things that make and economy grow, ports, railways, transport networks, stable electricity and water supply are all failing and falling apart. Fixing this requires more than the documents, it requires the aforementioned capable and developmental states. And the ANC has proven over 30 years that this cannot be delivered on by them. Instead, we have a repeated commitment to policies that prevent private sector, job creation that would lift millions of people out of poverty.
Now the third priority was education, skills, and health, which are critical enablers so that people can live lives they value and lay the foundation for a prosperous and grow the country. But the reality is that we have a failing and aligned education system, and it’s also remarkable to me that the ANC completely ignore development report which they commissioned themselves to which have uncovered that the education departments in six of nine provinces are now dominated and controlled entirely by the ANC aligned majority union that
buys themselves teachers and principals’ posts that control the administration of education departments. And what we have as skills and development programs now that are more talk than action.
A healthcare system where people are given panado and told to go home and dilapidated schools where children die in pit latrines. Our young people at the very least, deserve functional toilets in their schools and they deserve teachers who can pass the same exams that their learners take. And citizens deserve more than the healthcare system that is on life support.
If we look at the other priorities, the story remains the same. Consolidating the social wage, spatial integration, human settlements and local governments, all buzzwords that mask the governments incapacity. This developmental state is a phantom. An illusion that is an excuse to justify a failed centralization and government’s model, a hostility to private initiative, and a failure to form genuine partnerships with all sectors of society.
In a country with so much potential, it is incredibly disheartening to witness a government that has become an
obstacle rather than a facilitator of progress. The promises of a better South Africa have become nothing more than political sound bites and citizens pay the price for this betrayal.
So, the best thing that we can do as a country is close the chapter and ANC corruption and ANC failure. As I said at the start of this debate, it was brave when ANC Member of Parliament, MP, ... [Inaudible.] ... this item for discussion, knowing that the party has failed in every measure.
On the 29th of May will put an end to all of this constant failure and the strenuous slide deck that come to committees and plans that never get implemented. Change is coming, and that change will rescue South Africa. Thank you.
Adv B J MKHWEBANE: Chairperson, the period from 2019 to 2024, under the leadership of the sixth administration of the ANC, particularly under Mr Ramaphosa, has been marred by profound failures in policy oversight and implementation, leading to what can only be drafted and described as a monumental disaster for South Africa. The medium-term strategy ... apologies, Chairperson. The Medium-Term Strategic Framework intended to guide government action during this period has
fallen far short of its objectives with virtually no improvements recorded across key indices. Unemployment rates have remained stubbornly high. Poverty and inequality have persisted, and essential services such as clean water provision have failed to meet a basic standard.
Moreover, rampant corruption, irregular expenditure and municipal management have plugged the country, exacerbating its social economic challenges. The EFF while attempting to fulfil its parliamentary duty of holding the executive accountable has faced obstruction and resistance and further impending effective governance. Meanwhile, economic indicators such as inflation, national debt, fuel crisis and the Rand or dollar exchange rate have worsened, reflecting a dire state of affairs under this administration.
The Phalaphala saga, eliminated by an inquiry led by a former Chief Justice, revealed shocking revelations of misconduct at the highest level of government. Mr Ramaphosa was implicated concerning foreign currency and obstructing investigations into the latter, leading to serious allegations of conditional valuations and misconduct. Despise this damning finding led by no less than a retired former Chief Justice, the ANC members in Parliament failed in their constitutional duty to hold
Ramaphosa accountable. Instead, choosing to shield him from scrutiny. This betrayal of public trust cost Ramaphosa to reciprocate by avoiding implementing sanctions against members of ...
Mr B A RADEBE: On a point of order, Chair.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Hon Mkhwebane, there is a point of order.
Mr B A RADEBE: Yes, Chairperson, I am rising on Rue 82 the member cannot refer to the President on first name terms or on surnames only.
IsiZulu:
Kumele afake into ngaphambili. Ngiyabonga.
English:
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Thank you, hon Radebe. Hon member, Mkhwebane you are advised that hon members in this House are addressed as honourable or Mr or Mrs or Miss. May you kindly take heed of that. You may continue.
Adv B J MKHWEBANE: Chairperson I said this betrayal of public trust caused by Mr Ramaphosa to reciprocate by avoiding implementing sanctions against members of his executive ... [Inaudible.] ... in the Zondo Commission for ... further perpetuating a culture of impunity. Instead, some of them were promoted.
The lack of accountability and oversight has resulted in unchecked poor performance across government ministries, with Mr Ramaphosa even ashamed to punish executive performance results due to embarrassment.
In light of these failures and breaches of trust calls for accountability and change of government have never been more urgent. It is imperative that citizens demand transparency, integrity and effective governance from their elected representatives to spare the country toward a brighter and more prosperous future.
People of South Africa are urged out of nostalgia and vote for a new beginning, the former liberation movement has been a catastrophic disaster, 2024 isn’t it, our 1994? The EFF is the only hope for South Africa. In this quagmire, so the South African people deserve leadership that prioritises their
interest and addresses the pressing challenges facing the nation.
Hon Chairperson, as the EFF. We are saying this process is being abused. This process is not felt by the people on the ground. We have serious service delivery challenges. We have challenges with NSFAS. Children are still sleeping in community halls. The disaster monies are not being utilised and people are still sleeping in the various halls. Therefore, as the EFF, we will have to change this, and we do have our fiscal policy in terms of our manifesto. We will definitely make sure that the lives of people are changed. Thank you, Chairperson.
IsiZulu:
Mnu E M BUTHELEZI: Ngiyabonga kakhulu Sihlalo ohloniphekileyo namalungu onke ale Ndlu. Cha, thina njengeNkatha sibone ukuthi lo msebenzi esiwenza namhlanje lapha nje ungenye nje kwalokho kokuchitha isikhathi nokugcwalisa idinga, ngoba lithi iqiniso kuningi esesixoxisene ngakho kule Ndlu nezihloko ezibalulekile ezithinta izwe lethu. Kodwa kuncane kakhulu okubonakala kungumthelela walokho okungukushintsha izimpilo zabantu esibasebenzelayo.
Kuzo zonke izinto ezazibekiwe ngo-2019 ezinhle nokho ukuba sifinyelele kuzo ngezwe, iqiniso elithi kuncane kakhulu esesikuzuzileyo kunalokho okusehlulileyo. Konke lokhu siyazi ukuthi kwenzeka ngenxa yenhlekelele ethi iqembu lika-ANC elisihlinzekela ezibini njengengcuba elehlulekile lancama ukusebenza futhi liphikisa nanoma yini eqhamuka emaqenjini aphikisayo obekungadala ukuthi sibenenqubekela phambili njengezwe. Sesiyasho nje ukuthi kumdlandla wayo ngo2019 ngoba phela kwakungathi kuyakudilika izulu uma iwina ukhetho. Kanti namhlanje sesiqeda ithemu yonke, kuncane kakhulu esingakubala njengenqubekela phambili. Kunalokho singabala zonke izinto ezilukhuni abantu bakithi ababhekene nazo. Ubugebengu benyuka nsuku zaphuma izibalo zisho lokho kangangoba uMphathiswa Wamaphoyisa uqobo lwakhe impela uchaze inhlekelele engaphakathi esiphoyisene. Kungenzeka kube lukhuni ukunqoba ubugebengu. Sonke siyazi ukuthi iningi labantu bakithi abasebenzi bahlezi emakhaya ikakhulukazi intsha ngenxa yakhe ukwehluleka kwalo hulumeni.
Siyayazi sonke inhlekelele esibhekene nayo ye-loadshedding eyimbangela yabantu ukuthi balahlekelwe imisebenzi namabhizinisi konke lokhu ngaphansi kweqembu elibusayo kuleminyaka emihlanu. Angeke ngiyikhulume noma ngiyiphathe nje eyokuhluleka kokufezwa kwezinsiza noma eyokuhlinzeka abantu
bakithi ngezinsiza abazifaneleyo ezindaweni zasemakhaya ngisho nasemadolobheni. Nanti nje iTheku lethu KwaZulu-Natali, liyaphihlika ngaphansi kwalo iqembu elibusayo. Ngakho ke Sihlalo akukho nokukodwa esingazigqaja ngakho kule themu ngoba i-ANC yehlulekile ukwenza umsebenzi njengalokhu kufanele.
Okubaluleke kakhulu nesithi abantu bakithi abakwazi ...
English:
Chairperson, people of this country must know the new era that would be ushered after the 29th of May this year. The removal of the ANC from power will allow people to say different approach on how matters are dealt with in Parliament, where important topics and matters of importance are brought to the attention of the House and given the attention that they deserve, a Parliament where debated challenges are resolved, and the solutions given are actioned to the finest detail.
The government that will be coming in is a government that has a very clear interest of listening to the people of this country first and doing what these people are asking for.
IsiZulu:
Ngakho ke into esiyicelayo thina njengalokhu iqembu lethu lentando enhle yabantu liya eMabhida ngempelasonto yoMhlaka
10, siyabamema ukuthi bezolalela ukuthi yini lena ebalungele nengaletha ushintsho ezimpilweni zabo. Bese besisiza ngokuthi beseseke ngevoti labo ukuze sizokhuculula lenca le. Iqiniso lithi kuyo yonke le minyaka engamashumi amathathu - yebo singababala oTinswalo okukhulunywa ngabo kodwa oyedwa ezindimbaneni zabantu abangaphumeleli. Kufanele ngabe sibala izindimbane eziningi kunabancane abangasizakalanga. Ngakho ke asinakho ukuthi njengohulumeni singazigqaja ngesikuzuzile kule themu lena. I-ANC nje kufanele ngabe inamahloni njengoba kuthiwa namhlanje sikhuluma ngalolu daba ukuthi kungakanani abakwenzileyo ngoba bazi kahle kamhlophe ukuthi abakwenzanga. Ngakho ke siyiqembu le Nkatha siyabamema bonke abantu bakithi ukuthi bazolalela izwi lengqondo ... [Kuphele isikhathi.]
Mr K B PILLAY: Hon House Chair, as we reflect on the past five years of the Sixth Administration, we must consider the contextual factors which could be internal or external to the government. They can emanate from domestic or global factors which impacts policy implementation. The Sixth Administration started implementing its electoral mandate in 2019, just to be confronted with the global pandemic which resulted in a paradigm shift in our way of living and life as we know it. As we started adapting to the new normal, which saw Parliament still able to function and carry out its mandate, we should
also bear in mind that the quality and resilience of any leadership are also reflected and demonstrated in times of crisis, and the coronavirus pandemic is one such crisis.
During this period, the government had to heighten its efforts to protect lives and livelihoods. In the true character of our nation, we collectively fought the pandemic led by our President, who became the chief spear of our nation, and navigated us through the deadliest period of humanity in over a century. South Africa did not only withstand the impact of the pandemic, but also provided leadership in the fight against the pandemic in the continent and for global equity to access vaccination. The South African economy contracted by 6,3% and loss of over 2 million jobs, the impact of COVID-19. Continues to linger today. During the COVID-19, the World Health Organisation, WHO, commended the South African government for effectively containing the virus despite high infection rates. However, our health system, which stood the test, our SA Medical Research Council, SAMRC, and academics, also demonstrated their intellect through groundbreaking research, findings which helped the global response to the pandemic. We even invested in domestic manufacturing capacity for vaccines exported globally. The lessons and experience of
our response to the pandemic should be translated to other developmental areas.
Another critical contextual factor is the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and recently, the Israel genocide of the Palestinians. Global instability impacts supply chains, which can cause an increase in commodity prices, which can pose an inflationary pressure risk. To contain the inflation rate, central banks across the globe have increased interest rates, which has impacted the cost of living for the working class and poor. We must also remind the House that our government took multiple measures to subsidise the cost of fuel due to global supply and commodity price changes. To recover and cushion the nation from the impact of the pandemic, the government developed an economic reconstruction and recovery plan announced on 15 October 2020, which focused on critical, social and economic interventions to which the enterprise resource planning, ERP, was created. In the short
term, to preserve lives, to supporting livelihoods, distressed firms, financial systems and healthcare.
To provide a safety net for the unemployed and those without income, the ANC government introduced the social relief of distress, SRD, grant, of R350, and cushioned the labour market
to social insurance programme from the Unemployment Insurance Fund, UIF to have an objective analysis of whether the economic reconstruction and recovery plan has succeeded in retaining our economy, activity and reconstructing the form of our economy. The government initiatives in job creation are producing positive results and steady growth in employment.
The results of the Statistics SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey, QLFS, shows that compared to a year ago, the total employment has increased by 979,000 persons or 6,2%. The number of the employed persons has increased by 399 000 to 16,7 million in the third quarter of 2023.
The results further confirmed that this was the 8th consecutive increase in employment since 2021. It is important to emphasise that the number of people employed today are more than before the coronavirus pandemic. This happens while we experience low economic growth and energy challenges. This resilience of our economy and the government’s efforts demonstrates existing opportunities, a higher economic growth and job creation future lies ahead as progress in addressing the economic constraints is achieved. There are key areas of progress which highlight the impact of the ERP. We are currently facing challenges in the supply side of our economy.
The government is overhauling the freight rail system by allowing private rail operators to access the rail network.
Transnet has appointed an international terminal operator to help expand and improve its largest terminal at the Port of Durban. This is critical to enhance the competitiveness of our exports, as delays in the port impacts on domestic production. As the industries reduces export production due to delays in ports, particularly for agricultural products and the mining sector, House Chair, to create work opportunities, the government implemented a massive public employment programme which has allowed the youth and older unemployed persons to gain work experience and learn skills in the various and social ... More than 1,7 million work and livelihood opportunities to the Presidential Employment Stimulus. The stimulus has placed more than 1 million school assistants in
23 000 schools. These are some large-scale programmes implemented targeting unemployed graduates and youth in general.
Through this experience as a governing party, we are confident that we will create over 2,5 million work opportunities, which will contribute to the provision of social services and skills development purposes. Our economy is vibrant, and access to
information is essential for unemployed persons to seek work opportunities. The government has implemented an innovative digital solution which has over 4,3 million young people now registered on the SA Youth.mobi, and 1,6 million have so far secured opportunities. This is a proactive mechanism and measures by the government to create access to information and the success speaks for itself. The narrative that the government is not implementing measures to develop economic and skills opportunities for South Africans is not supported by facts. Yes, there is a high unemployment rate, particularly amongst the youth and those above the age of 35, and the efforts to grow the economy to create more activities.
The South African employment has increased from eight million in 1994 to over 16,7 million. Over the last two years, the number of jobs that has been created, has been increasing every quarter, and we now have more people in employment than before the pandemic. To the revived renewable Energy program, the government has connected more than 2500 megawatts of solar and wind power to the grid over the last five years.
Regulatory reforms enabling private investment in electricity generation, have developed more than 120 new private energy projects. This, hon members, not only contributes to ending load shedding, but is part of a long-term energy solution. We
must state that the increased investment in energy generation in the past five years and the upcoming years, will result in a transformed energy sector providing affordable electricity. This will lower the cost for households and industrial production. We, therefore, call on society to understand the long-term benefits of the interventions on how we implement measures to end load shedding.
Through tax incentives and financial support, we have more than doubled the amount of rooftop solar capacity across the country in just the past year, reducing the grid demand. The ANC has committed to expanding this effort, so poor households can have rooftop solar panels for water heating. This, will lower the cost of electricity for the poor, lowering the cost of living sustainability. The broadband spectrum auction has resulted in low data costs and improved network reach and quality. The progress in increasing access to connectivity will also create opportunities to grow our digital economy and increase inclusion in the sector, as digital opportunities are primarily decentralised in improving access. Yes, we have experienced challenges in the past five. But we have also recorded significant progress in transforming the lives of the South Africans.
While the world is picking up the pieces and starting to rebuild post COVID, we are proud to be part of a government that did not sit back, folding their hands and allowing a nation to perish, instead, we were on the front line, pushing barriers, riding against the waves with determination and resilience to protect our nation, building on our strong foundation for growth. A better future lies ahead, working together to do more. Thank you.
Mr X S QAYISO: Hon Chairperson, the Judicial Commission on Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud identified various issues related to the role of state organs which have accountability and oversight. Previous constitutional judgements made observation on the oversight role of Parliament. Parliament has an important constitutional role of oversight over the exercise of executive authority.
Multiple factors have impacted the functioning of Parliament over the Sixth Parliament. Firstly: COVID-19 changed the way we worked as we began working virtually. These did not deter Parliament from executing its oversight role. One key commendable observation is the intervention by government during COVID-19 when corrupt practices and administration were reported.
The government immediately implemented real time audit strengthening procurement regulation and set up a fusion centre that combined various capabilities to tackle corruption and investigate and charged suspects of corrupt activities.
The fusion centre led to many arrests and the recovery of billions of rand. Parliament also undertook close oversight scrutiny on COVID-19 expenditure and ensured consequence management is implemented in government.
In areas that relate to policy implementation, we have strengthened the robustness of oversight by ensuring that our state organs focus more on outcomes and impact in the orientation of their planning and reporting to enhance oversight and accountability of policy implementation.
We are pleased that state organs are adopting this orientation. We will ensure results.
We have also observed that a weakness of spending due to challenges in planning and project preparations. We need to emphasize that planning is critical and has a potential success of a project or a programme. We have advanced the strengthening of planning capacity and need to invest in
project preparations capabilities across the three spheres of government.
We must state that a lot of improvement has been recorded as the national government is supporting local government spending, while entities such as the Development Bank of SA has supported the implementation of major infrastructure projects working with the three spheres of government.
Hon members, disasters also impacted on the Sixth Administration due to climate change. The impacts of climate change are no longer an abstract debate, but a daily occurrence in the world. Floods destroy and cost drought.
As part of our oversight as this Parliament, the ANC advanced the establishment of ad hoc committee which primarily in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and parts of the North West. We did this due to the negative impact of floods which led to the loss of life and the destruction of infrastructure. We need to understand that disasters drag the nation’s development backwards. What is critical is ensuring that the government has the requisite capability to respond to future disasters.
Parliament has prioritised closed oversight of critical programmes over the past five years. We have also experienced the devastating destruction by fire when our national heritage, symbol and Parliament was burnt. This had further disrupted the functioning of Parliament, but our resilience developed in the COVID-19 period enabled us to withstand these challenges.
We should also record that government has allocated an amount of R2 billion by the National Treasury paid over a three-year period. This will enable us to restore Parliament precinct transforms to represent the diversity of our nation.
Another critical function of implementing the electoral mandate and effect the policy is legislation. During the Sixth Parliament the ANC-led legislative reforms adopted and ascended to the President, the ANC executed these factions cognisant of the needs of the people and need to transform our economy radically. However, the public violence and the destruction of property and the looting that took place in July 2021 had an immense impact on peoples lives and livelihoods and sense of security.
The ACTING CHAIRPERSON (Ms L S Makhubela-Mashele): Apologies hon Qayiso!
Can the hon Mvana’s mic be muted! Can you currently assist the hon Mvana!
Table staff, can you please mute the hon Mvana’s speaker. The disturbance is too much.
The hon Mvana is still not muted. Currently mute the hon member from your side, table staff.
Thank you.
Apologies hon Qayiso. You may continue.
Mr X S QAYISO: Hon House Chairperson, with regard to the Judicial Commission on the Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud, the President has referred 202 recommendations from the commission for criminal and other investigations and possible prosecution to law-enforcement agencies and other regulatory bodies such as SA Institute for Chartered Accountants and Legal Practice Council. To date 19,7% or 38 of these recommendations have resulted in criminal
cases being prosecuted in nine separate court cases. With two cases finalised with guilty verdicts. These cases involve 47 individuals and 21 companies. The remaining 80% of criminal recommendations from the commission are still under investigation.
Parliament has considered the recommendation and is implementing recommendation through legislation and policy interventions to strengthen Parliament’s capacity. There are a number of interventions which government has implemented. To strengthen the capability of the state over the period.
The level of vacancies in the changing conditions and the ability of government to adopt have implemented policy implementation over the period.
What we should commend the Sixth Administration is for advancing the safeguarding the country at the most difficult period of the pandemic. The July unrests and the climate change disasters which have tested the capacity of government. The fact that most of these issues have been addressed as we speak, is a testament to progress. It is for this reason that we are finalising the process of Climate Change Bill as we speak. We are focussing on leaving no one behind because we
understand that while we have made progress, we understand that many South Africans are marginalised and in perpetual poverty. Our duty is to ensure that we break the cycle of poverty and poverty trap.
Over the period we have adopted a number of laws which we transform our economy and advanced justice. We have past Bills such as the National Health Insurance Bill. Of course, it is a pillar of the national democratic revolution, and we are not shy about that. Our people are excited about the National Health Insurance which seeks to transform our lives health system and redress the inequality and access to health.
The Employment Equity Amendment Bill to advance the equity in distributing opportunities for inclusion as part of affirmative action. The Land Court Bill to provide for the establishment of Land Court and Land Court of Appeal to meet for the provision for the administration of the judicial function of the Land Court and the Land Court of Appeal.
House Chairperson, however, we failed to pass the constitutional amendment of section 25 due to the populist pseudo left, called the EFF, which has no material interest in
transforming lives but desire to access political power for self-enrichment.
The SA Post Bank Limited Amendment Bill to provide for the transfer in share holding from the SA Post Office, state-owned company limited to government and the creation of bank controlling company.
The General Laws Anti Money Laundering Combating Terrorism and Financing Amendment Bill, the Criminal Law Procedure Amendment Bill and other Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bills.
We therefore call upon call upon on all South Africans to work with the government and all social partners to create a better life for all. I thank you, Chairperson.
Mr M S MALATSI: House chair, thank you very much for that correction. The ultimate objective of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework, MTSF, 2019-24 was to achieve a better life for all S Africans for the upcoming period.
As this government ends its last term, every metric of its performance shows that it has failed spectacularly to achieve that. Any honest oversight over the implementation of the
2019-24 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, will reveal that the past five years have turned out to be the biggest disappointment of the ANC-led government’s tenure.
Load shedding has forced thousands of small businesses to close, thereby shuttering the livelihoods of many entrepreneurs. Contrary to what the hon Pillay wants us to believe, it was during COVID-19 that many SMMEs had their doors closed because of the restrictive regulations introduced by the ANC-led government.
The middle class is currently overburdened with additional taxes that are squeezing their disposable income. The high cost of living is sentencing millions of families into abject poverty. The increases in the prices of food, electricity and fuel, without any meaningful relief from the government they praised just how badly the ANC has mismanaged the economy in the past five years.
The growing unemployment crisis that continues to lock millions of young people out of opportunities to pursue a life of dignity illustrates just how the ANC has run out of any credible ideas to stimulate job creation. With 70% of young people between 15 and 24 unable to get jobs, many of them will
never ever spend the chance of finding employment for as long as the ANC is in power. In General, South Africa is now worse off than it was five years ago. The ANC’s legacy of poor governance and corruption has unleashed the most vicious assault on the dignity of all South Africans during this period.
Let us go back to some of the key promises that were made in the MTEF to measure where they are right now. It promised to eradicate mud schools, yet there are currently approximately 900 mud schools still in existence in the country. It also promised to ensure that no person in South Africa will go hungry, yet recent research by the Nelson Mandela Foundation shows that 5 million children currently go to bed hungry every day in South Africa. It further promised that violent crime will be halved, yet approximately 75 South Africans are murdered daily, with many of us living in fear of criminals in our own communities. It also promised that our schools will have better educational outcomes, and every 10-year-old will be able to read for meaning, yet today, 81% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning and 60% of them have no foundational knowledge of mathematics and science.
So, it is very clear from all the available evidence that this motion is more of a confession of failures than the highlights of accomplishments that the mover intended to mislead us into believing. So, the only way we can rescue South Africa from further state collapse is to vote the ANC out of government.
We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to restore the dream of a prosperous rainbow nation.
These upcoming elections are a referendum on the future of our country. It is a choice between the ANC’s legacy of failure and the DA’s rescue plan to reset our country on the path of prosperity. Together with our coalition partners in the Multi- Party Charter, MPC, coalition, we are the only viable alternative to stop the ANC from destroying South Africa.
A vote for the DA will rescue South Africans from the bondage of unemployment by creating 2 million new jobs. A vote for the DA will rescue South Africa from the disruption of load shedding by breaking up Eskom’s monopoly and enabling increased self-regulation among customers, businesses and municipalities in good standing. A vote for the DA will rescue South Africa from the fear of crime, corruption and lawlessness by halving violent crimes, decentralising policing functions and abolishing cadre deployment in favour of merit-
based appointment. A vote for the DA will lift 6 million people out of poverty and restore their dignity, which has been severely violated by the ANC. Thank you, House Chair.
Ms F A MASIKO: Hon House Chair, thank you to all hon members who have contributed to this debate. Wonders shall never seize us as the DA, hon members, today tells us that South Africa requires a capable developmental state. The hon member seem to lack the conceptual understanding of a developmental state as we know the DA is anti-state intervention in the economy because they seek to maintain minority dominance.
Secondly, hon Mkhwebane from the EFF decided to canvas a narrative with no substance. In this period under review, Parliament held the executive and leaders of state institutions to account. Hon Mkhwebane can be a testimony of the Parliament oversight and accountability role and how it has worked effectively. We cannot assist those hon members that really fear facing the truth. The hon member from the DA said that we are suffering from amnesia, but ours is to say that they are suffering from denialism because we have, in fact, stated the work that has taken place over the past five years, supported by facts. Theirs is to try and not run away from the truth but face it.
The sixth Administration has focused on 87 priorities, and we can take key milestones of achievements from what we have tabled before this House. We have noted the weaknesses that have impacted the state from performing its responsibilities, we have observed understanding and the lack of maintenance of critical infrastructure. We have noted that load shedding has been a problem which has also hindered the growth of our economy and many other challenges that we have noted.
Criminality and corruption have impacted our efforts to change the conditions of South Africa. However, we must appreciate the notable interventions such as an extra 5 000 police officers who have been deployed to public order policing. The South African Police Services has launched Operation Shanela as a new approach to target crime hotspots, which has resulted to over 285 000 arrests in May last year.
Government has established the new Border Management Authority which has improved the security of our borders and has already stopped over 100 000 people who have tried to enter our country illegally. The economic infrastructure task teams are operational in all provinces and have had important successes in combating cable theft, damage to critical infrastructure and illegal mining.
The government continues to visibly increase police presence on the streets as a further deterrent to criminal activities, especially in crime hotspots. We have increased the number of police personnel and 20 000 new police trainees have been recruited to ensure that our South African Police Services urgently gets capacity it needs. A new leadership in Saps, Hawks, National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, and State Security Agency was appointed to ensure the stability, integrity and capability of these key crime fighting bodies.
The government is implementing a number of interventions to address failures at the local government level and improve basic service deliveries. Decisive measures are required to strengthen local government and the national department is supporting a number of municipalities. A national strategic plan on gender-based violence was developed together with Civil Society as a society wide response to this pandemic.
Around R21 billion was dedicated over the medium term to implementing the six pillars of the National Strategic Plan, NSP, including women’s economic empowerment. The South African Sign Language is that the 12th official language of our country.
On the international front we have continued to be a beacon of hope and justice. We have lent our hand to the peaceful resolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as part of the historic African delegation. We have recently spearheaded the constitutional challenges against the genocide by Israel. We continue to contribute to silencing the guns in the continent through facilitating mediation and peaceful resolution mechanisms and supporting peace missions through the deployment of defence force.
In the South African development communities, we are now providing support to Mozambique. These measures are geared to improving the conditions of all South Africans. Working together we can always do more. Thank you very much, hon Chairperson.
Debate concluded.
The mini-plenary session rose at 12:12.
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