The House met at 14:02.
That the House debates the human rights violations in Africa, in particular the recent violation against a Malawian gay couple, and comes up with solutions in curbing these kinds of violations.
That the House debates the regulation of prices in the private health sector, as well as the effects this will have on quality of service, and come up with other alternatives.
That the House debates the R580 million payment backlog of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform for land purchased, and come up with possible solutions to this problem.
That the House debates the recently signed bilateral trade agreement between South Africa and Zimbabwe that does not offer adequate protection to South African investors in Zimbabwe, and come up with possible solutions. I thank you.
That the House debates the centenary of the Union of South Africa.
die skade wat die staat ly in terme van belastingverliese; en die algehele verlies aan goedere en dienste as gevolg van die Transnet-staking.
(Translation of Afrikaans notice of motion follows.
the losses suffered by the state in respect of loss of tax revenue; and the overall loss of goods and services due to the Transnet strike.
further recognises Nkosi Matanzima's contribution to the transformation of institutions of traditional leadership, which sought to offer women and nontraditional leaders an opportunity to take part in the development of their communities, and also honours him for his unwavering commitment to the Tembus; and conveys its heartfelt condolences to the Bakhozi of Western Tembuland and the people of the Tembus on the untimely death of His Majesty Nkosi Zwelenkosi Lwandile Matanzima and assures them that thoughts and prayers of its members are with them during this difficult time.
applauds the South African Police Service for their diligent and thorough investigations which led to the apprehension of the suspects; and encourages South Africans to assist the South African Police by reporting all types of crime.
further recognises that such a project had been a great success in Swaziland under the organisation "Children's Cup" and that in order to build and operate such centres, considerable sponsorship is required and is currently being sought; and commends the Benjamin Dube Foundation for identifying the need and "stepping up to the plate" in providing this valuable service which will assist thousands of growing children and benefit communities for many years to come, and we pray that Almighty God will grant them favour, provision and protection.
believes that this campaign should grow in stature and should excite millions of people around the world to make every day a Mandela Day; and encourages all South Africans to build on the success of last year's Mandela Day activities and to make this coming one an even greater success.
further notes that the Delft Community Health Centre serves a population of more than 520 000 people, the monthly attendance at the clinic averages 30 000, with a growth of 500 new patients per month, and about 2 000 patients receive antiretroviral treatment there monthly, 900 of whom also have TB; and expresses its sincere gratitude to the company that made this donation and encourages more private companies to follow its example.
believes that Child Protection Week will act as a reminder to parents and caregivers of their responsibility to protect children and notes that special attention has been drawn to the possible dangers, such as child trafficking, during the World Cup, as child trafficking has unfortunately become part of huge international sporting events; and urges communities to use the launch as an important reminder to protect the country's children and to ensure their safety during the World Cup and beyond and further urges members of the House to do their part to assist the Police in keeping the children safe: Together we can do more!
congratulates both rugby teams on their respective victories on Saturday and the South African fans for making the Bulls' victory a truly auspicious occasion at the Orlando Stadium; and wishes both teams everything of the best for the final on Saturday and enjoins all South Africans to support their respective sides in order to make the final a proudly South African event.
The SPEAKER: That underscores the importance of the right venue. If there are no objections I put the motion.
further believes that everyone should expand his or her knowledge and understanding of the epidemic in order to protect themselves and the communities they live in and that HIV testing campaigns serve to educate the people and promote the rights to human dignity and privacy of those living with HIV; and encourages everyone to test and know their status without fear of victimisation or being pressured to disclose their status publicly.
recognises the exceptional nature of the respective performances by these two dedicated athletes who finished the race within three seconds of each other; and congratulates these outstanding ambassadors for South African sport for their achievements and for making South Africa and its people proud.
conveys its heartfelt condolences to the Slabbert family, his relatives and friends.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Speaker, hon Members of Parliament, it is with great sadness that the ANC learnt of the death of the former Member of Parliament, respected academic, intellectual and prolific political commentator, Prof Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert.
He will be remembered for the role he played in the historic meeting between Afrikaner South Africans and the ANC representatives in exile, which spurred the advancement towards a democratic South Africa. The meeting further helped to open channels of communication between the ANC and the white community which had for a long time been bombarded with the apartheid regime's anti-ANC propaganda.
An organisation that is opposed to the apartheid system, we regard as on our side.
That means Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert was, from that point, on our side.
For a long time, Prof Van Zyl Slabbert served as one of the few outstanding voices of reason amidst an ocean of ruthlessness, repression and subjugation.
He was amongst the few white South Africans who resisted apartheid when it was not fashionable or personally rewarding to do so. Like Helen Suzman, he sought to use his role within the parliamentary opposition, the Progressive Federal Party, as a platform to reject and fight apartheid.
He later resigned from Parliament in protest against the apartheid regime's inability to address the country's problems. He did so not only to send an unequivocal message to the regime about the wrongness of its oppressive policies, but also to avail himself of an opportunity to join extraparliamentary forces of change to accelerate the process towards the demise of the apartheid demon.
He argued at the time that staying on in that institution would merely serve to lend it legitimacy. Recognising the historic importance of this decisive break with the apartheid system by an Afrikaner, the leadership of the ANC made bold to salute him as a new voortrekker.
Van Zyl Slabbert will be missed for his intellectual and constructive analysis of the political challenges of the day, which enriched our political discourse and contributed to strengthening our constitutional democracy. This is the quality present-day academics, opposition politicians and commentators should emulate.
It is a pleasure for me to say that I had the honour to work with Van Zyl Slabbert when we negotiated the new dispensation of local government. We co-chaired the negotiating forum. I can confidently say that he brilliantly contributed to the new metro system of government that we have today. We know that this system owes a great deal to the work that he has done.
He not only facilitated the discussion but contributed to the formulation of the new system of government, especially at local government level.
As the ANC, we want to say that he must rest in peace. He has played his part in this democracy. We hope that all of us will emulate his good work. I thank you.
Mr D A KGANARE: Speaker, I stand here on behalf of Cope to honour and remember a brave son of the soil [Interjections.
The SPEAKER: Order, hon members! Please, let the speaker be heard. This is an important motion. Continue, hon member.
Mr D A KGANARE: a patriot and towering giant. I've been made to understand that he tackled hard on the rugby field, but harder in the political arena. The demise of Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert leaves us all with a deep sense of loss.
On behalf of Cope, I extend my sincerest condolences to his bereaved family. They must take comfort in the knowledge that we all grieve with them, and that in his death we have a rare opportunity to celebrate his life and achievements. He has departed this life, leaving behind a legacy that will live on.
Growing up in Pietersburg, Van Zyl Slabbert manifested leadership qualities from the beginning. He moved from classical studies at Wits to attaining his MA degree in Sociology and then his doctorate at Stellenbosch University.
Throughout his commendable life, Van Zyl Slabbert was a man of discernment and rare talent. In 1972, he became Head of the Sociology Department at Wits University. Even though his interest in politics started when he was young, Van Zyl Slabbert officially became seriously active in politics when he joined the Progressive Federal Party, PFP. In 1974, Slabbert accepted the nomination to stand for Rondebosch in the general elections. He triumphed over the National Party, NP, representative by 1 600 votes. He continued to hold a seat for the PFP in the 1977-81 elections.
Van Zyl Slabbert stood up against the oppressive regime and chose to relate to the suffering of the people. He did not see colour, because he was looking for justice. He was not driven by fear, but aspired to seek hope. He chose the hard and lonely path of a man of vision.
In 1979, he became the leader of the PFP and of the parliamentary opposition - a position he held until 1986. Slabbert soon felt that his fight within Parliament was leading nowhere, considering the iron hand with which the NP ruled. He, therefore, resigned from his position as a parliamentarian in 1986 to try his hand at negotiations. A year later, he started negotiations with ANC members in exile.
This resulted in the Dakar conference between the liberation movement and a group of mainly Afrikaner politicians, academics and businessmen. The conference was organised by the Institute for Democracy in South Africa, Idasa, which he co-formed with Alex Boraine in July 1986.
He served Idasa as Director of Policy and Planning. In his book, The Other Side of History, he articulates the event with clarity with the sole objective to counter an attempt to rewrite history not as a record of what transpired but for political expediency. He later began a career in commerce by lecturing at the Wits Business School and engaged in political consultancy.
He had many achievements. In 1964, he received an Abe Bailey Travel Bursary to the United Kingdom. In 1976, he was given an American cultural exchange award. He went to international conferences and delivered papers in the USA and Western Europe.
He was truly an enlightened representative of South Africa during the dark years of apartheid rule. He not only went against his fellow Afrikaners in pursuit of peace and justice in South Africa, but fought for this cause abroad. In 1977, he was a research fellow at the Bergtraesser Institute for Social Research in Freiburg, West Germany.
Slabbert jointly wrote a book with Prof D Welsh called South Africa's Options: Strategies for Sharing Power, which was published in 1979. He published papers and articles which appeared in several publications. He received honorary doctorates from Simon Fraser University in Canada and the Universities of KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. He was a visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in November 1982. He was also a businessman and a co-founder of Khula, a black investment trust, in 1990.
His contributions did not stop there. In 2002, President Thabo Mbeki appointed him to [Time expired.
Mr M G BUTHELEZI: Speaker Xhamela, hon Ministers present, and hon members of the Assembly, on 14 May, South Africa lost one of the best minds ever to have graced our national discourse. The passing of Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert was met with a flood of tributes from politicians, academics and journalists, all singing the praises of a man who deserved every good word that was spoken about his life.
Today, we, in this House, honour the memory of a former colleague in the hope that what we say may capture the magnitude of our loss. I had the privilege of enjoying a long and sincere friendship with Dr Van Zyl Slabbert.
We first met in the 70s when he was a young lecturer at Stellenbosh University. At the time there was a group of businessmen and intellectuals who met to discuss current affairs since they were concerned about the situation in the country. Dr Van Zyl Slabbert was part of the study group called "Synthesis", to which I was also invited to participate.
My first impression was of a man of remarkable intellect, yet authentic humility. This humility spoke of a depth of character that I grew to respect and admire. More than anything, I was drawn to Dr Van Zyl Slabbert because of his integrity.
I was chatting with my son Ntuthukoyezwe - Zuzie to his friends - during the weekend. He said something about integrity which stuck in my mind. He said that if one has integrity, anything else doesn't matter; and if one hasn't got integrity, again, anything else doesn't matter.
When Dr Van Zyl Slabbert was elected leader of the PFP, I invited him to address Inkatha's conferences in Ulundi. Together, with members of our two organisations, we participated in many protest meetings in Durban and Johannesburg. We shared a vision for the liberation of South Africa, for which I nearly became ridiculed and vilified. Dr Van Zyl Slabbert and I both believed that the liberation of our country should be pursued through negotiations and not through the barrel of a gun.
In 1985, we formed the National Convention Movement which emphasised the need for government to negotiate with all political parties. The depth of our friendship became a cause for concern for the NP government at the time, which attempted to drive a wedge between the two of us.
But to the government's dismay, this did not affect our good relations or our genuine friendship.
I respected Dr Van Zyl Slabbert's incisive criticism as well as his directness. He was a man who could always be trusted to speak his mind with sincerity and not tickle the ears with falsehood. This trait cost him the friendship of other leaders, but earned him my respect. He was a great asset to our country, which today is poorer for his passing.
It was a disgusting and eminently forgettable experience.
As Minister of Home Affairs, I appointed Dr Van Zyl Slabbert to chair the commission which was established to redraft the Electoral Act. The Van Zyl Slabbert Commission brought together some of the best domestic and international minds - genuine democrats drawn from across the broader spectrum - because I understood that the Electoral Act is the contract between the politicians and the people, and thus cannot be written by the politicians alone.
The Van Zyl Slabbert Commission recognised that the present electoral system lacks accountability and proposed a system akin to the local government model, which combines constituencies and proportional representation. It was a well-considered recommendation based on comprehensive research, and Cabinet rejected it.
However, Cabinet committed itself to implementing the recommendations at a later stage. I regret that Dr Van Zyl Slabbert never lived to see that day, but I hope that his good intentions will not be forgotten.
On behalf of the IFP, I offer my sincere condolences to the family of Dr Van Zyl Slabbert and to the many who mourn his passing. He has left a tremendous legacy, and for that we thank him. We hope that he will forever rest in peace. To you, Van, I say "requiescat in pace" [rest in peace]. Thank you. [Applause.
Ms P DE LILLE: Speaker, Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert was a true patriot and a son of the soil, who had a passionate love for his country and closely followed the trials of the new democratic order that he helped to foster.
He will always be remembered as the progressive voice for change during the dying days of apartheid - someone who possessed the foresight and courage to seize the moment in bringing together members of the old regime and exile liberation movements at the historic Dakar meeting.
This meeting is widely recognised as being instrumental in fostering the conditions for our negotiated transition to occur. All South Africans owe him a depth of gratitude for the principled stance he took in all the various positions he occupied throughout his life.
On a more personal level, Van was my old friend who was always willing to share his political advice and experiences with me. He loved to debate with me about his pet topic Afrikaner versus Afrikaan. Eventually he wrote a good book about it.
He was a walking encyclopaedia. I often relied on him for quality advice. More than all of this, he was very firm on principle and really stood by what he believed in. His voice and presence will certainly be missed by all of us in the new, democratic South Africa.
The ID would also like to offer its sincerest condolences to Van Zyl Slabbert's family and friends during this difficult period. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you. [Applause.
Mnr N M KGANYAGO: Speaker, agb lede, ons vergader vandag hier om hulde te bring aan 'n groot Suid-Afrikaner. Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert was 'n man van woorde en 'n man van aksie met 'n rare mengsel van beginsel en visie. Hy was ook 'n man van vrede. In hierdie opsigte was hy 'n pionier wat vir ander blankes en Afrikaners gewys het dat daar wel hoop is om 'n morele en vreedsame einde aan apartheid te bring.
Waar ander slegs veroordeling gesien het, het Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert 'n visie vir 'n beter toekoms gehad. In 1980 sou andere dit sekerlik as 'n fantasie beskou het dat ek vandag hier, in hierdie Huis, sou staan en hulde bring aan hom in sy eie taal. Ek het egter geen twyfel dat hy net sou geglimlag en gevra het: Hoekom nie?
Die effek van sy bydrae tot ons nuwe grondwetlike bestel het ook verby 1994 gestrek. In sy hoedanigheid as die voorsitter van die kommissie wat die kiesstelsel vir hervorming ondersoek het, het hy weereens 'n waardevolle bydrae gemaak.
Net soos vantevore, is sy visie en wysheid ongelukkig nie met ope arms deur die regering van die dag ontvang nie. Daar kan geen groter huldeblyk aan hom wees as vir hierdie regering om nou daardie kommissie se werk te erken en te implementeer nie.
Laat my toe om aan Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert se familie en vriende ons opregte medelye mee te deel. Mag u in hierdie tyd troos vind in die opregte dankbaarheid van die hele nasie. U is in ons gedagtes en gebede. Mag hy in vrede rus. Ek dank u. [Applous]. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.
Mr N M KGANYAGO: Speaker, hon members, we gather here today to pay tribute to a great South African. Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert was a man of words and a man of action, with an unusual blend of principle and vision. Likewise he was a man of peace. In these respects he was a pioneer who showed other whites and Afrikaners that hope did indeed exist to bring an end to apartheid in a moral and peaceful manner.
Where others only saw condemnation, Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert had a vision for a better future. In 1980, others would surely have regarded it as a fantasy that I would be standing here today, in this House, paying tribute to him in his mother tongue. However, I have no doubt that he would have just smiled and asked: Why not?
The result of his contribution towards our new constitutional dispensation also went beyond 1994. In his capacity as chairperson of the commission that examined reforming the electoral system he once more made a valuable contribution.
Just as before, his vision and wisdom were unfortunately not welcomed by the government of the day. There would be no greater homage paid to him than for this government to acknowledge and implement that commission's work right now.
Allow me to convey our sincere condolences to Fredrik Van Zyl Slabbert's family and friends. May you find comfort during this time in the sincere gratitude of the entire nation. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace. I thank you. [Applause.
Dr C P MULDER: Speaker, ek wil begin deur aan my agb kollega, mnr Kganyago, baie geluk en dankie te sê vir die treffende wyse waarop hy so pas hulde gebring het aan Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert. Die wyse waarop hy dit gedoen het, stel vir ons almal 'n voorbeeld van hoe ons mekaar se tale en kultuur behoort te respekteer en te herken. Baie dankie daarvoor.
Die VF Plus spreek graag sy simpatie uit teenoor die familie en naasbestaandes van Dr Fredrik Van Zyl Slabbert, met sy onlangse afsterwe. Dr Slabbert het oor 'n lang tyd 'n belangrike rol in die Suid-Afrikaanse politiek gespeel. Ek het by verskillende openbare en private geleenthede met hom te doen gekry en was deurlopend beïndruk met die eerlikheid waarin hy alle sake benader het.
Of jy met hom saamgestem of verskil het, het hy almal op dieselfde hoflike manier hanteer en integriteit en styl aan die politiek gebring, wat vandag dikwels kortkom. Die agb Buthelezi het reeds verwys na die belangrikheid van integriteit in die politiek en ek deel dit met hom.
Vir my is die grootste tragedie van die lewe van Dr Van Zyl Slabbert dat hy nie die geleentheid gehad het om 'n groter rol te kon speel en miskien meer aktief betrokke te kon wees in dít waarin hy sy ideaal gestel en waarvoor hy hom beywer het nie, naamlik 'n demokratiese alternatief wat na 1994 tot stand gekom het.
Sy politieke insigte en kommentaar sal sekerlik in Suid-Afrika gemis word. Hy het 'n groot bydrae gemaak en ons dra graag ons simpatie aan sy geliefdes oor. Baie dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.
Dr C P MULDER: Speaker, I would like to begin by congratulating and thanking my hon colleague, Mr Kganyago, for the striking manner in which he has just paid tribute to Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert. The way in which he has done this sets an example to all of us of how we have to respect and acknowledge each other's languages and cultures. Thank you very much for that.
The FF Plus would like to convey its condolences to the family and next of kin of Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert on his death, recently. Dr Slabbert played a pivotal role in South African politics over a long period of time. We've met at numerous public and private events and I was always impressed with the honest way in which he approached matters.
Whether you agreed or disagreed with him, he always handled everyone in a courteous way that infused politics with the integrity and style that is so often lacking nowadays. The hon Buthelezi has already referred to the importance of integrity in politics and I share that sentiment with him.
To me the biggest tragedy of the life of Dr Van Zyl Slabbert is the fact that he did not get an opportunity to play a bigger role and perhaps be more actively involved in that in which his ideals were vested and that which he was striving towards, namely a democratic alternative which was established in 1994.
His political insights and commentary will surely be missed in South Africa. He made a huge contribution and we would like to convey our condolences to his loved ones. Thank you very much.
Rev K R J MESHOE: Speaker, the ACDP is saddened by the death of Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert, one of the architects of South Africa's transition from apartheid and a noted writer on its politics and sociology.
Dr Slabbert was a former leader of the then official opposition, the PFP, in the House of Assembly, a political analyst, successful businessman and one of our country's most respected visionary political leaders. We will remember him for his courage to stand up against apartheid, contrary to his upbringing and culture as an Afrikaner and at the cost of being labelled a traitor by his fellow Afrikaners.
In 1986, he surprised many when he and fellow MP, Alex Boraine, resigned as Members of Parliament, in protest against the politics of exclusion and repression that was promoted and perpetrated by the apartheid National Party government.
Slabbert went against the grain, broke ranks, but established new alliances and friendships that transcended the old divisions. He was a remarkable South African who had a sharp and sensitive intelligence and a tremendous sense of humour.
One of the many initiatives Dr Slabbert will be remembered for was the conference Idasa held in Dakar, Senegal, in July 1987, which brought together about 60 influential white South Africans and members of the exiled ANC to initiate a dialogue that led to negotiations. This resulted in a political settlement, and the multiparty democracy we enjoy today.
To his wife and children, loved ones and colleagues, the ACDP offers their sincere condolences. South Africa has lost a great man of principle who left a great legacy. I thank you.
Mrs I C DITSHETELO: Speaker, the UCDP would like to offer its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert. To have been an opposition party leader during the apartheid years, speaks a lot of the legacy he is leaving behind. We shall remember him for the role he played in prenegotiations between the ANC and the National Party.
May his soul rest in peace. I thank you.
Dr W G JAMES: Speaker, Acting President Jeff Radebe, it is my great honour to close this debate today by saying that there rose in South African public life a few champions of liberty and justice with a consistency of conviction, integrity and purpose. Our first democratically elected President, Nelson Mandela, is one of them. Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert, whose life we honour today, is another.
I was 50 years old when I met Madiba face to face for the first time. I was completely disarmed by him and felt immediately that I would like to do anything to help him achieve his vision for South Africa.
Van Zyl kept his promise to the end. He was an Afrikaner who walked a different road. He treasured the assets of his background, but found Afrikaner nationalism to be suffocating. He recoiled also from African nationalism. He found the narrow rights-based approach to be inherently conservative. Van Zyl was my kind of man: a thinking liberal with strong social democratic leanings.
For those who knew Van Zyl, he had a warm directness in approach, a charming civility, an irrepressible republicanism and an impatience with status and ceremonial pretension. He was an instinctual democrat, someone who wore justice on his sleeve and clutched it to his heart.
He became one of the most celebrated debaters in Parliament, which he joined in 1974 as a Progressive Party member. He left under great controversy as Leader of the Opposition and later formed the Institute for a Democratic Alternative in South Africa, Idasa, in 1986. He said then that P W Botha's Tricameral Parliament was a dangerous exercise in futility, for it aggravated the divisions in our land.
In the history of Parliament, Van Zyl joined the ranks of a few excellent MPs who learned the art of debate, including in our history the brilliant liberal, Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, and the equally brilliant communist, Sam Kahn. Van Zyl's infinite appreciation for the beauty of words, his carefully timed witticisms, his unrelenting search for the truth, and the politically productive sarcasm that he used, invoked to great effect, became his art.
At Idasa, he was a visionary who saw the necessity of creating a climate for dialogue and negotiations - he did not start negotiations - starting with the meeting in Dakar in 1987 and followed by numerous other gatherings, bringing together individuals from across the divide. Writers he brought together; soldiers he brought together; women he brought together; and constitutionalists he brought together, as well as analysts. After he left, Idasa continued having meetings in order to build consensus for our constitutional process.
It was Van Zyl Slabbert who steered the financier George Soros to invest his considerable wealth in the creation of a more open society here and later expanded the enterprise to all of the countries of the Southern African Development Community, SADC. He inspired the creation of the Vrye Weekblad in the world of journalism and the Institute for Security Studies in the world of policy studies. He founded the Goreè Institute in Senegal, building a continental network that animated the quest for peace and justice in Africa.
Van Zyl gave a great deal to public service: as chairman, as the ANC's Chief Whip noted, of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council, crafting a future for that city; as one of the leaders for the local government elections of 1995 and 1996; and, as the hon Buthelezi pointed out, with his electoral task team on which I had the privilege to serve.
That task team recommended that half of the MPs in this House ought to be chosen by constituencies directly and the other half by proportional representation. Greater accountability and the proportionality required by our Constitution were the mantra. Van Zyl's team completed the design, as well as the demarcation, and the lawyers wrote the draft Bill in preparation for this.
I urge this House and the Minister of Home Affairs, the hon Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to appoint a task team to examine these proposals again. There is a great deal of interest among many members on both sides of this House in reforming our electoral process so as to empower voters.
They torture one another.
They get hurt and get hard.
Inflicted and endured.
And hope and history rhyme.
O koud is die windjie en skraal.
En blink in die dof-lig en kaal, so wyd as die Heer se genade, lê die velde in sterlig en skade.
En hoog in die rande, versprei in die brande, is die grassaad aan roere soos winkende hande.
O treurig die wysie op die ooswind se maat, soos die lied van 'n meisie in haar liefde verlaat.
In elk grashalm se vou blink 'n druppel van dou, en vinnig verbleik dit tot ryp in die kou.
The DA wishes to express our deepest sympathy to his wife, Jane, his son, Riko, his daughter, Tania, and the many grandchildren who are part of the Slabbert family. I thank you. [Applause.
The SPEAKER: The condolences of the House will be conveyed to the Slabbert family.
ratifies the work done by this group of members since 5 April 2010.
There was no debate.
Mr E M SOGONI: Speaker, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, let me thank you for the opportunity afforded me to address this august House on this important Bill, the Appropriation Bill, B3 of 2010.
Recognising that this is the climax of a long, democratic process in which a lot of debate has taken place and Budget Votes have been subjected to thorough scrutiny, it is important to reflect on why this is being done. In doing so, there is a need to have an appreciation of the constitutional and legal requirements, as well as the economic and political context that informs it.
From a constitutional perspective, this fulfils the requirements of section 213(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and section 26 of the Public Finance Management Act. These sections provide that money may be withdrawn from the National Revenue Fund only in terms of an appropriation by an Act of Parliament, and that Parliament must appropriate money for each financial year for the requirements of the state.
Through this process, the provisions of section 10 of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act have been fulfilled, as no committee has proposed any amendments thus far. Notwithstanding this, Parliament needs to act with speed to ensure full implementation of the Act, including establishing a parliamentary budget office.
The economic context is both positive and negative. On the positive side, according to a National Treasury assessment earlier this year, there was an expected economic growth, though moderate, but rising gradually; better inflation outcomes within the target range; an increase in global demand for goods and trade volumes; sectoral growth outcomes and employment stabilising; expectation of a moderating current account deficit this year as compared to 2008; a lower than originally forecasted budget deficit due to a target overshoot in the revenue collection; and sustained infrastructure investment over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF.
Should this positive focus materialise and continue as envisaged, it provides a degree of comfort in the adoption of the Appropriation Bill before us.
On the negative side, the country is still faced with massive challenges of high unemployment estimated at around 24%. As a result of poverty and inequality our Gini coefficient is said to be the highest in the world.
Some of the risks to the economy, as identified by National Treasury, are wage pressures; high oil prices; challenges associated with the implementation of mass infrastructure investment; expected moderate investment due to unused capacity; sluggish net job creation; a sizeable budget deficit remaining as a result of a slow global economic recovery; and rising debt service costs which would eat into our fiscal resources.
When debating this Bill, it is incumbent upon us, as we exercise our oversight role, to monitor the potential impact of these risks on the Budget. Of particular importance will be the need to keep a close watch on issues relating to wasteful expenditure and inefficient management of finances by departments.
From a political point of view, this is about enabling the state to meet the needs of the people as expressed in the Constitution and through the 2009 elections, which the ANC won by an overwhelming majority. The political context in which this appropriation debate is taking place is that of implementing an ANC agenda, as was mandated by the majority of South Africans.
What informs the budget-making process and the appropriation debate though, takes into account the views of all Members of Parliament and public representatives with regard to fulfilling their constitutional role of oversight and holding the executive to account.
In the past few weeks, following the state of the nation address and the Budget Speech by the Minister of Finance, all Ministers have presented their departmental strategic plans and Budget Votes. These have been debated and subjected to scrutiny in order to assess whether the money being asked for by Parliament will indeed meet the requirements of the state in the 2010-11 financial year.
Complementary to this was a thorough process by Parliament calling departments to come and account for how they used the funds appropriated for the past financial year. This is important, not only for accountability, but also to assess the extent to which the state has the capacity to effectively, efficiently and economically spend the money for the purpose it was appropriated.
That assessment gives Parliament a sense of how the funds being sought for appropriation this financial year are likely to be used, and that it will be accounted for in terms of section 32 of the Public Finance Management Act. We always need to be mindful of the fact that these are public funds, and as public representatives we are acting in the best interest of the public.
In playing our oversight role - that of ensuring that the executive is accountable - we must, in the same vein, commend the signing of performance agreements between the President and Cabinet Ministers. This is indeed innovative and historical in the South African context, as it has not been done before. The signing of performance agreements will help strengthen the whole value chain of monitoring, evaluation and accountability in the implementation of our laws, especially in relation to spending public funds.
It has to be understood that the ANC, as an elected governing party, gives a mandate to government to implement its electoral mandate. This mandate is well reflected in the following government priorities: improving the quality of education; enhancing the health system; making communities safer; fostering rural development; creating jobs; and investing in local government and human settlements.
The Appropriation Bill is about how we implement these things within the framework of government programmes, and whether it can be done within the constraints of available financial resources. It is about whether the executive arm of government will use the funds appropriated for their purpose, cost-effectively and accountably.
In assessing these things, this paper will focus on three critical priority areas as articulated in our manifesto, namely job creation, infrastructure and human settlements. They are all embedded in the manifesto's plans of more jobs, decent work and sustainable livelihoods, and building cohesive and sustainable communities.
Today, the country is faced with the challenge of high unemployment. In 2009, unemployment was estimated at over 24,3% of the working-age population in the country. According to National Treasury estimates, only 44% of the working-age population had a job compared with an international rate of about 60%.
The key factor behind this is the structure of the economy that the country has inherited, commonly identified as two economies in one country - the first economy and second economy. These do not only define class divisions, but also racial and gender divisions in our society.
The first economy is characterised by a high degree of economic formalisation based on modern technology; capital intensive sectors which require highly skilled labour; unionisation and a formal labour relations system that allows for bargaining between employers and labour.
The majority of the people are trapped within the second economy, which is survivalist in nature, and is characterised by an informal and unskilled work force and poverty wages.
The first economy is also undergoing changes that are contributing to the rising unemployment rates. The combination of factors that have contributed to the worsening of high levels of unemployment are retrenchments as a result of the recession; the introduction of highly developed and sophisticated technology which requires fewer but highly skilled workers; and the move away from a traditional labour-intensive economy towards a service-oriented economy. Companies have embraced these forms of production to maximise their profits.
The danger is that the majority of those who are unemployed are the youth and people with low skills not required by the economy. High unemployment rates and relatively low wage employment are contributory factors to inequality, low levels of human development, social polarisation, poverty and high levels of crime.
In the short and medium term, unemployment and low wages lead to an increase in the demand for social security by the majority of the people and a low tax base which, in turn, adversely affect economic growth in the long term.
It is for these reasons that the ANC government has prioritised job creation and decent work as one of the most important programmes for this financial year and in the medium-term budget plans.
To build a more inclusive society, South Africa needs a marked expansion in employment. This is not only an economic objective; putting more people to work will contribute to human development, income redistribution and social cohesion. Broadening economic participation assists in curbing dependence, countering crime and reducing poverty, illness, alienation, mental stress and social exclusion.
Funds that are being requested in the Appropriation Bill have to be used to address these critical challenges that the country is faced with today.
Initiatives contained in this Bill to address this challenge must be supported. These initiatives include, amongst other things, programmes such as the Expanded Public Works Programme, EPWP; skills development; improvements in public employment services; and the implementation of various strategies that are likely to promote job creation and are embedded in most departmental budgets such as those of the Department of Labour, Trade and Industry, etc.
Since the majority of poor people reside in the rural areas, the implementation of a comprehensive rural development strategy would have to be given the highest priority in our funding plans. Some of the identified interventions prioritised for funding in promoting job creation include programmes that will advance industries and services with the potential for job creation; increasing the pace and upping the content of the Expanded Public Works Programme; increasing investment in further education and training; implementing new measures to promote youth employment; and putting in place programmes and strategies that will encourage the development of co-operatives, small and medium enterprises and the spirit of entrepreneurship in general.
The implementation of some of these priority programmes identified in the Industrial Policy Action Plan 2, Ipap 2, embedded in the Department of Trade and Industry's funding plans, will assist in speeding up job-creation measures. When looked at holistically, the budget being sought through the Appropriation Bill is necessary for this work.
As part of its strategies to reduce the high rate of unemployment and create more jobs and decent work, the ANC government has identified infrastructure development as one of the key priority programmes for funding. In the Minister of Finance's Budget Speech in February, an announcement was made that, over the next three years, the public sector aims to spend R846 billion on infrastructure programmes.
It is expected that a large part of this spending would be in this year's budget requirement needs. Some of the additional funding on infrastructure as identified in the Budget Review are the R2,5 billion to increase labour intensity in public works and the R1,8 billion for the clothing and textile industries.
The implementation of these programmes will have a huge impact on the taking off of the country's new economic growth path and increase the potential to reduce the current rates of unemployment and poverty.
The ANC government is committed to building cohesive and sustainable communities to advance the Freedom Charter's call that there shall be houses and security for all.
This is also enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic as a human right in the Bill of Rights. The ANC manifesto stipulated that, through programmes for housing, social security, as well as sports and recreation, the aim is to build a better life for all.
The ANC government has put a priority on increasing access to security and decent housing for all. It is also committed to strengthening local government as a crucial sphere of government where the majority of the population has frequent and direct contact with government. It is recognised that local government is critical for service delivery in the country.
In their Budget Vote, the Department of Human Settlements prioritised the acceleration of the delivery of houses, access to basic services and more efficient land utilisation as their core programmes needing funding.
The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs has prioritised building an accountable and efficient local government. Their focus on funding plans is to meet community needs; provision of clean, responsive and accountable administration; improving performance and professionalism; and support for municipalities, given the importance of local government in service delivery and the fact that a lot of problems relating to the capacity of municipalities to deliver services have been identified in the past.
In conclusion, this Bill had to be assessed against the priorities of the ANC government and its funding priorities. The budget requirements, as stated in various government departmental Votes proposed for appropriation in this Bill, are important and urgent. The release of these funds will advance the implementation of the plans for change.
As the ANC, we need to ensure that this Budget is used effectively and efficiently to achieve the mandate to pursue transformation, which has been given to us by the people. In adopting this Bill, we are going to intensify our oversight role in Parliament. We must vigorously ensure consistent monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the programmes funded through the appropriation.
As legislators, we must ensure that all the laws that we have put in place, such as the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act and others, are indeed enablers of a developmental state to achieve the goals of speedy service delivery and development.
For these reasons, the ANC supports the passing of the Appropriation Bill. Thank you. [Applause.
Mr M SWART: Mr Speaker, a budget deficit of about 7,3% was expected at the end of the 2009-10 financial year. Sars, however, managed to do their trick once more, and a lower budget deficit of 6,8% was in fact achieved. They deserve our congratulations.
In addition, we managed a higher growth rate than expected, inflation was reduced, and a sensible monitoring policy was followed by the Reserve Bank. Although these factors give rise to optimism, outside international factors such as the declining value of the euro, due mainly to financial problems in Greece, could quite easily lead to a second round of recession worldwide.
We should therefore make sure that we are ready for such an eventuality by being absolutely prudent in our spending patterns. This applies even more so in the case of government departments and institutions.
When looking at the spending patterns of departments for the entire 2009-10 financial year, it is disconcerting to note that many departments fail to spend the budget amounts allocated to them, and that they continue to spend as much as possible in the fourth quarter of the financial year so as not to have a reduced allocation made to them in the next financial year.
Equally disconcerting is the continued misappropriation of funds by way of corruption as well as the recurring trend of incurring wasteful and unnecessary expenditure. No wonder the DA's wasteful expenditure monitor exceeds the R1 billion mark already.
Of concern also is the number of jobs lost in the economy and the inability of the Department of Public Works to spend all available Expanded Public Works Programme, EPWP, funds for job creation in respect of their EPWP incentive schemes. Some R30 million of this incentive programme remained unspent at year-end.
Only 68 municipalities out of a total of 283 received monies from this fund. It is clear therefore that the oversight role of Parliament, particularly by its portfolio and standing committees, will become of utmost importance in the 2010-11 financial year to ensure that money is spent prudently and wisely.
One of the instruments Parliament and its committees will be able to use to good effect to ensure proper oversight is the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, the content of which we have recently explained to hon members in a number of training sessions.
This Act, signed into law by the hon President during April last year, provides the right to Parliament - for the first time - to amend the budgets of departments through the various portfolio committees as well as through the Standing Committees on Finance and Appropriations, provided, however, that such amendments fall within the approved fiscal framework.
The Act provides an opportunity for Parliament to control the unnecessary roll over of funds, and expenditure outside the declared priorities of government; to curb unnecessary and wasteful expenditure and over- and underspending on budgets; as well as to ensure adherence to the Public Finance Management Act for funding roll-overs.
The Act also provides for the establishment of a budget office to give assistance to portfolio committees, but in particular to the Standing Committees on Finance and Appropriations to fulfil their mandate as prescribed by the Act. A director is to be appointed in terms of the Act to head the budget office.
The Act has been law for more than a year now, but a director has not been appointed yet. This is despite the fact that the advertisement for filling the position was approved by a joint sitting of the finance and appropriations committees in February this year.
Despite the fact that the appointment is crucial for proper assistance to committees to provide effective oversight, the ANC instead formed what they call "a political task team" to deal with the matter. This so-called "political task team", consisting of ANC members, only came up with the idea of seconding current parliamentary staff to the budget office before the director of the budget office is appointed.
When asked what the function of these seconded personnel would be and who would supervise them in the interim, the Secretary to Parliament advised that they were to arrange office space, buy furniture and computers, etc, so that the new director would not be bothered with such trivial matters when he assumed office.
Needless to say, there was no organogram for the budget office, and the Act clearly prescribes that the director shall be part of compiling such an organogram. The seconded personnel would therefore have embarked on the procurement of offices, furniture and computers without knowing the number of personnel involved and therefore the quantities required.
Fortunately the joint sitting of the finance and appropriations committees did not agree with this hair-raising scheme. The result, however, is that nothing has happened since and the advertisement to fill the position has still not been inserted a year after having been signed into law by the President.
One wonders whether the proposed secondment of parliamentary personnel was an attempt to create vacancies to which superfluous ANC caucus employees could be deployed, or whether the proposed independence of the budget office provides a threat to centralised political control or maybe even endanger the position of certain parliamentary staff members.
At the time when committees and Parliament consider the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statements, MTBPS, the advice and recommendations of the budget office will be of immense value, and it is a pity that priority attention is not given to the establishment of the said office.
It is at the MTBPS that a major portion of the rollover of funds takes place. It would unfortunately also appear that certain departments are not yet aware of the existence and prescripts of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act.
I make the latter statement based on the fact that the Director-General of Labour wants to increase his budget by a huge R1 billion without reference to anybody and without quite knowing what the purpose of the additional funding would be. When one hears this, the need for parliamentary oversight becomes clearer.
The example quoted is made more serious by the fact that the director-general in question is also the president of the Black Management Forum of South Africa and should therefore be more knowledgeable about management and South African laws than the rest of us.
Although he is supposed to be an apolitical public servant, we regrettably might be forced to pardon him as he is probably so busy with expressing his own political opinions in his capacity as the president of the forum that he has limited time to attend to the poor showing of the Department of Labour!
I thank you and wish Bafana Bafana all the best. [Applause.
Mr G P D MACKENZIE: Hon Speaker, hon members, the Financial and Fiscal Commission's submission has interrogated government's policy priorities for 2010. It has also examined growth trends and the utilisation of national revenue funding. It concurs with government on its main priorities and thus gives support for the Appropriation Bill.
It is, however, distressing that 16 years after the advent of democracy, South Africa has the unenviable record of being the most unequal society in the world. The gap between the rich and the poor as shown by the Gini coefficient is forever widening.
It is not surprising therefore that unions' strikes stem in part from the disparity of earnings between the upper echelon and ordinary workers. The class divide is going to lead to a class conflict. One does not have to be a prophet to recognise this. The question is whether we have the will to alter the situation on time.
The government's key public spending priorities for the year are education and skills development, health care, job creation, infrastructure, rural development, justice, crime prevention and policing.
There has been little change since 2008. Skills development has been appended to education. We fully agree that skills development is a very important component of education. Job creation has been prefixed to infrastructure development. We also agree that considerable emphasis should be placed on job creation.
However, basic household services have been removed from the government's previous priority list. Rural development has taken its place. This is surprising as the issue of household services remains as contentious as ever.
In Cope we agree that rural development has to come onto the priority listing but not at the expense of household services. This is fundamentally wrong. Even at this stage, it would be appropriate for government to list six extraordinary priorities instead of the basic, usual five. We urge government to do so and to return basic household services to the list as the sixth item.
I now come to debt serve costs as this is the fastest growing item on the budget line. The Financial and Fiscal Commission has warned about the government's use of debt to fund current expenditure, such as remuneration of public servants.
Like the commission, we too are concerned about the increase in debt service costs relative to other budget items, as well as the rapid increase of the public sector wage bill. Government must drastically restrict long-term borrowing because what has happened in Greece should serve as a timely warning to us in South Africa. Debt has a tendency to become unmanageable very quickly, especially as circumstances can alter very quickly.
At a time when economic conditions in the world are as uncertain as they are today, it is very important to curb debt rather than to roll it over as government is intending to do. I believe that red lights should start to flicker. As the custodians of the national purse, this august House should start to become very concerned.
The national government's net loan debt will have risen from R526 billion last year to R1,3 trillion in two years time. Consolidated government debt service costs will therefore rise from 2,4% of the gross domestic product, GDP, or R57,599 billion this year to 3,2% of the GDP, or R104 billion in 2012-13. At that stage, the government debt service costs will be a staggering R104 022 billion.
The National Assembly must think very seriously about the impact of this spiralling debt service costs as it must do everything in its power to bring the debt down. As I see it, South Africa is never going to be able to enjoy a debt-free status again. While the national government's net loan debt is growing, so is expenditure.
Only International Relations, Public Enterprises, Arts and Culture, Sport and Recreation and Communications reflected a slight decrease in their budgets. All of the other departments have increased their budgets. This means that the hard pressed South African citizens must prepare for substantial tax increases.
Likewise, whichever party that comes into government in 2014, will have a note from Minister Gordhan left on the table saying, "Sorry but there is no money left in the Treasury. Good luck!" Remember that this is what happened just a few weeks ago, when the labour government left office in the United Kingdom.
It is an economic truism that large-scale debt, driven by current consumption, will compromise economic growth and destabilise the domestic financial system. It would have been different if debt was being used to finance capital assets. Unfortunately, this is not so and that is why the country is going to face fiscal uncertainty.
There is another matter of some importance on which we would like to get clarity from the Minister. This year, the national estimates of expenditure have not reflected government's expenditure on consultants. Does this mean that as of this year, consultants will no longer be appointed?
That would be a very progressive development considering how government employees leave by one door and return straightaway as consultants through the next door. Even though this is not allowed in the code, the practice is now well established.
It would therefore be of great relief to know that expenditure on consultants is not reflected in the estimates of national expenditure because departments may no longer employ consultants.
Cope would also like to hear from the Minister about procurement processes as these have been thoroughly corrupted by the ANC-led government. Although tax compliance certificates are required by law, departments are dispensing with them at will without any consequences.
The Minister can look at how the Department of Correctional Services has generally subverted the law in this regard. Tender adjudication processes have been bent crooked and accreditation processes are twisted. For how long must the taxpayer patiently countenance such criminal behaviour inside government?
I now come to the question of funding for the public transport sector. A coherent fiscal strategy is lacking. Can we ask the Minister when this deficiency is likely to be remedied?
Finally, I come to the question of the poor in South Africa. Three factors that are making the present global economic crisis more severe for our poor are escalating food prices, rising electricity tariffs, fuel costs and joblessness.
Constitutionally, the poor are not passive victims of poverty and mere recipients of state grants and services. They have to be actively assisted to a better life through education, jobs and services.
We are seriously concerned about the fiscal position in which this country finds itself. We insist that debt has to come down as the cost of servicing that debt will impact negatively on taxpayers in particular. Thank you. [Applause.
Ms S P LEBENYA-NTANZI: Speaker, the distribution of funding from the National Revenue Fund to the state departments is both critical and central to the economic and social development of our country. It is therefore imperative that this distribution is properly planned and implemented strictly according to plan, as we are dealing with finite fiscal resources and cannot afford the luxury of second-guessing ourselves.
Central to the point of effective distribution is the concept of value for money. Many of our state departments still receive qualified audit reports from the Auditor-General's office indicating poor management of funding, which results in ineffective service delivery. It seems as if a culture of general unaccountability regarding fiscal funding is being allowed to develop in certain departments and this is most worrisome to the IFP.
Tender fraud and mismanagement must be identified within the departments and those responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It seems as if very few staff members in state departments are ever taken to task over fraudulent mismanagement of fiscal resources.
Lack of a necessary skills base in some departments is also a major contributing factor to poor service delivery, and this must be addressed as a matter of urgency. In addition, a culture of discipline, responsibility and accountability must be inculcated within the departments and staff members found in breach of their duties must be disciplined.
Transfers to state-owned entities should be strictly monitored as there does not seem to be much supervision over these funds. They seem to be dissipated with the greatest of ease with little or no accountability attached thereto, an example being the Commission for Gender Equality.
State-owned entities must take a long, hard look at their salary structures. The fat needs to be trimmed off CEO and senior management salaries so that there is more equitable distribution of funds for the average worker. This will result in fewer strikes, a more content workforce, effective service delivery and fewer service delivery demonstrations by the public.
Whilst the IFP respects the rights of workers to partake in legitimate strike action, we question the appropriateness of the timing 15 days before the World Cup.
The Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act provides us with a golden opportunity, which will allow the voices of our citizens to be heard through their respective public representatives in terms of the allocation of resources. Service delivery must be first and foremost on the agenda.
In the past, we have been hampered by issues of over- and underspending, which resulted ultimately in the needs of the people on the ground not being met. This Act will empower us as Members of Parliament to correct these imbalances.
Finally, we would like to task the Ministers and senior management of the various departments with taking full ownership and with being accountable to the people of this country for the funds that they receive from the fiscus.
They should ensure that those funds go where they are supposed to go and do what they are supposed to do. The IFP will support this Bill. I thank you. [Applause.
Mr L W GREYLING: Speaker, this year's Appropriation Bill was formulated at an extremely difficult economic time in our country's history. The whole world is experiencing a massive economic upheaval, with millions of people having lost their livelihoods across the globe.
The recent crisis in the Eurozone has also shown that the tentative global recovery of the past year has mainly been propped up by unsustainable deficit spending. We therefore need to be alive to the fact that our own recovery, as shown by the growth figures yesterday, is constantly subjected to threats outside of our control. The factors that are within our control, however, are the allocation and spending of our budgetary resources.
In this regard, the ID believes that you have done a good job, Minister, of ensuring that different priorities are being met during this difficult period. The ID welcomes the fact that you have chosen not to decrease social welfare expenditure during this time, and that finally the extension of the child support grant to all children under the age of 18 years has been implemented. This is something that the ID has called for for a number of years.
The ID also welcomes the announcement that you will be considering the introduction of a wage subsidy for youth, but we would have liked to have seen this implemented this year rather than next year.
The ID would also liked to have seen more money being set aside for the gradual implementation of the much-debated national health insurance scheme as the gross inequalities in our health sector need to be urgently addressed. In addition, the ID is concerned that not enough money has been set aside for the building up of specific green industries. We cannot keep debating this issue without actually putting forward the funds and policies to build up this potentially huge growth sector.
The ID does, however, welcome the fact that this year's Budget has started to close the financial taps on those nonperforming state-owned enterprises, particularly those that have become a major drain on the fiscus. A major challenge that still needs to be confronted, though, is how we are going to continue to fund the huge infrastructural needs of our country, particularly in the areas of energy, water and sanitation.
For too long we have lived in a false economy where we have not invested enough in maintaining and upgrading the essential services of our country, and the effects of this are starting to be seen throughout our society.
Allocating the money, however, is only one side of the equation. The ID hopes that you will also live up to your promise of ensuring that we get value for money from every cent of government expenditure. This includes ensuring that no money is lost through corrupt practices, nor is siphoned off into the coffers of the ruling party under the guise of investment front companies like Chancellor House. With this proviso in place, the ID supports the Appropriation Bill. I thank you. [Applause.
Mr S Z NTAPANE: Deputy Speaker, hon members, Ministers present in the House, the Bill before us represents the backbone of government's expressed policy for the coming year. Between what we approved here today and what is actually delivered in services, there is a vast gulf.
The failure to turn today's Budget into tomorrow's service delivery is in essence the cause of a spate of violent community protests. As I have indicated earlier in the budget cycle, conditional grants do not resolve the problem of the failure to spend budgets appropriately. At the heart of the matter is a severe lack of skills coupled with an institutional culture that celebrates ineptitude and turns a blind eye to cronyism and tender fraud.
National government will simply have to improve its ability to monitor the spending of provincial and local governments. It also means that national government will have to radically improve its own track record when it comes to responsible spending and meeting delivery targets. We need leadership from the front.
The continued torrent of poor management and widespread critical vacancies must be addressed immediately. It is these basic things which undermine the beautiful intentions of the budget process. It is also these things that create the conditions for corruption to flourish.
We are especially concerned about the numerous state-owned enterprises and entities which draw heavily upon the national revenue for support yet also have a terrible track record. The SABC, to name an example, continues to benefit from taxpayer relief while it stumbles from one management crisis to another.
Regrettably, this is true of many state-owned enterprises and agencies. Eskom is a particularly troubling case. It is a drain on the fiscus. It has undermined our economy with its failure to maintain and invest in infrastructure. It is worsening inflation with its escalating rates.
These are illustrations of a particular culture that has seeped into every facet of governance. If we do not face up to this culture and replace it with one that celebrates competence and dedication, all policy and budgeting will be for nought. The UDM supports the Bill. Thank you. [Applause.
Nkul D W MAVUNDA: Xandla xa Xipikara na Yindlu ya wena leyo hlonipheka, ndza mi losa eka ndzhenga wa namuntlha. Ndzi lava ku burisana na n'wina swintsongo mayelana na matirhelo ya mikavelo ya mali hi tindzawulo ta mfumo. Komiti leyi yi xiyaxiya, ku landzelerisa na ku vona loko mali leyi kunguhateriweke tindzawulo yi tirhisiwa hilaha yi pimanyetiweke hakona. (Translation of Xitsonga paragraph follows.
[Mr D W MAVUNDA: Deputy Speaker and your august House, I salute you this afternoon. I want to discuss with you a little bit concerning the spending of allocated money by government departments. The committee oversees and monitors whether the money which is set aside for the departments is spent as budgeted.
It should also be emphasised that this Standing Committee on Appropriations was established in terms of section 43 of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, Act 9 of 2009, with the powers and functions conferred to it by subsection 4 of the Act and the Constitution. The Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act set out, amongst other things, the legislative framework for the amendments to the Appropriation Bill. In terms of this Act, the committee has to consider and report on spending issues, actual expenditure published by the National Treasury and amendments to the Division of Revenue Bill, the Appropriation Bill and the Adjustments Appropriation Bill, among other things.
It is, therefore, noted with great concern that the government in general reported an overall underexpenditure of R5,8 billion or 1,3% of the entire national Budget for the 2009-10 financial year. The general observation indicates that the bulk of this underspending emanates from the current payment and capital expenditure. However, the 2010-11 Budget has increased by R2,6 billion, or 0,6%, from the 2009-10 to the 2010-2011 financial year.
Be that as it may, if government wants to realise the strategic priorities arising from the 2009 state of the nation address of the hon President, the Appropriation Bill committee recognises that it will have to be effective in its oversight and other functions, and it will have to monitor the achievement of government goals for economic development and service delivery.
Taking into consideration the Appropriation Bill issues raised during the public hearings and section 32 reports - the in-year monitoring instruments for government spending - it has been established that many departments do not fully comply with the range of prescribed legislation, rules, and procedures - amongst other things, the Public Finance Management Act and the Public Service Act.
Picking up but just a few departments like the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, which is regarded as the central and integral instrument of government, it has, in as far as service delivery is concerned, been allocated approximately R43,9 billion in the 2010-11 Budget compared to the R36,5 billion for the previous financial year.
The department spent R36 billion, which is R513 million less than the allocated amount in the 2009-10 financial year. The department reported underspending in all economic classifications during 2009-10 with capital expenditure reflecting the major underspending. The high levels of underspending are of concern since capital spending and transfer payments form part of government instruments which are meant to create jobs and enhance service delivery.
Having said that, the committee has also learnt with great concern that it has lost about R8,7 million in the 2009-10 financial year, according to the Public Service Commission, PSC, due to suspension of personnel with pay on misconduct and misappropriation of public funds.
This means that with so many departments, there is a lack of compliance with the Public Service Act which prescribes, amongst other things, that a case of any misconduct, including suspension, must be concluded within 60 days. However, there are departments that have in some other cases taken up to approximately 250 days to finalise formal disciplinary processes.
We, therefore, in this committee urge all the departments to comply with the Public Service Act in all respects in order not to misuse public funds unnecessarily. However, this committee, the members of the ANC in particular, has learnt with great interest of the passion, commitment and concern of the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs with regard to all that has happened at local government level, particularly in various municipalities.
The ANC is waiting with great anticipation for the turnaround strategy model that will strengthen and ensure that government funds are utilised appropriately, effectively and efficiently by highly skilled, suitably and highly qualified personnel who will be placed in the right posts and be equal to the task.
We hope that the turnaround strategy, as alluded to by the Minister himself, will design programmes with proper planning and control of state funds, with monitoring and evaluation being the order of the day. The committee is also impressed by the fact that the Ministry is aware of the challenges faced by both municipalities and provinces, and has come up with a clear programme called "Operation Clean Audit 2009-14" - which also clearly outlines those challenges and its problems - and has also come up with a plan to deal with those challenges that are hampering service delivery.
We appreciate the establishment of the new Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs with Dr Masenjani Sibanda as the director. It is noted with appreciation that from the moment of colonial occupation and the apartheid regime, traditional leaders have been at the forefront of the struggle against the dispossession of their land, subjugation, oppression and discrimination by those forces.
It was not by mistake that traditional leaders were central to the creation of the ANC in the year 1912, which culminated in prominent and progressive leaders like Chief Albert Luthuli being elected as the president of this revolutionary movement.
As we speak, in the democratic South Africa together with the leaders in government, we do realise that our enemies are no longer colonialism and apartheid. They are unemployment, crime and poverty that the majority of people in this country have been subjected to since the introduction of the so-called Land Act of 1913, which drove black people to the dry areas called reserves, later named homelands; as well as the Bantu Administration Act of 1938 which stripped away the powers and authority of our kings and chiefs and subjected them to the control of white supremacy then called the Governor-General.
It is our view that the new department will - in consultation with traditional leaders and structures like the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, Contralesa, and the House of Traditional Leaders - draw up programmes leading to proper land allocation and administration, and local economic development leading to service delivery.
The second example is the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. This committee has learnt, again, that we are still experiencing the legacy of the Land Act of 1913, which is still prevalent in landownership in our country; in the rural areas in particular, where farmworkers are still trapped by the injustice of this legislation. It is noted with great concern, because land is an asset for any societal development, and it is central to rural development.
The 2010-11 Appropriation Bill proposes a budget allocation of R6,8 billion to the department, which is an increase of R365,2 million as compared to the 2009-10 Budget. The department was allocated R6,4 billion in the 2009-10 Budget. According to section 32 published by the National Treasury, the department has spent R5,9 billion of this budget, which reflects an underspending of R536,4 million at the end of the fourth quarter.
However, the Standing Committee on Appropriations does not encourage these practices that are being practised by other departments, like viraments, shifting of funds within the budget and rollovers. As a committee, we do not encourage such practices.
However, as the ANC, we have learnt with great disappointment that most of the land reform legislation has not benefited the majority of our people, and continues to keep them on the sidelines of economic participation. For example, the agreed principle of willing-buyer, willing-seller has no bearing at all. Instead, it sucks up all the money allocated to restitution and land redistribution programmes.
We have also noted with concern that at the end of the 2008-09 financial year, government had delivered approximately 2,9 million ha of white-owned agricultural land to land reform beneficiaries. This is just about 6% of the 8,2 million ha that government has planned to transfer by 2014.
Even though the initial planned transfer of 1,5 million ha of land was reduced by approximately 40,54%, the department only managed to transfer 443 600 ha due to the escalating land price that eroded all the buying power of the budget allocated to this department.
The attitude of most white farmers in this country, who inflate their prices more than the market value when selling farms to government, remains a serious challenge; hence, as the ANC, we fully support the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform when calling for progressive legislative instruments that will ensure that there are proper plans and programmes leading towards rural development, and which will make it viable for the department to buy farms at reasonable market value prices.
We also call on [Time expired.
Adv A D W ALBERTS: Minister Gordhan se department verdien om geluk gewens te word met hul prestasies. Die feit dat die Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomstediens sy invorderingsdoelwitte oorskry het, wys dat die departement wel hard werk. Dit dui natuurlik ook daarop dat die Suid-Afrikaanse belastingbetaler wil hê dat die land moet werk, gegewe hul bydraes.
Daarom is die omgekeerde ook waar, en dit is dat die regering 'n besondere verantwoordelikheid het teenoor die belastingbetaler. Dit vind vergestalting in die aanwending van die belastingfondse op 'n sinvolle en effektiewe wyse. Dit behels enersyds die neem van die korrekte beleidsbesluite en andersyds die effektiewe toepassing van dié besluite, met inbegrepe van die uitwissing van korrupsie.
Die regering het, wat die VF Plus betref, wel in die regte rigting begin beweeg rakende ekonomiese beleid, maar ons moet u maan dat die broodnodige ekonomiese groei en werkskepping wat ons land wel nodig het nie gaan gebeur deur die grootskaalse intervensie van die regering alleen nie. Die belastinggeld moet grootliks aangewend word om 'n omgewing te skep wat die entrepreneurswese sal dien as synde die grootste werkskepper.
Ons glo daarin dat Afrikaners en ander minderhede die regering kan bystaan indien die regering gewillig sal wees om die strukturele hindernisse van regstellende aksie en swart ekonomiese bemagtiging te begin hersien en derhalwe die speelveld waarlik gelyk te maak.
Daarby wil ons ook die Minister en sy departement versoek om aandag te gee aan die volgende sake van kommer: die publiek sou graag eerstens wil weet of die Inkomstediens steeds voortgaan met hulle ondersoek teen Julius Malema. Ons verstaan sy belasting is 'n private aangeleentheid, maar indien die ondersoek sou bevind dat daar onreëlmatighede bestaan, veral in die lig daarvan dat sy maatskappye gebruik maak van staatsgeld en substandaarddienste lewer in daardie verband, het die publiek ook 'n reg om te weet wat die uitslag van daardie ondersoek is. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.
Adv A D W ALBERTS: Minister Gordhan's department deserves to be congratulated on their achievements. The fact that the SA Revenue Service has exceeded its revenue collection goal indicates that the department is working really hard. This also clearly indicates that the South African taxpayer would like the country to be functioning, given their contributions.
Hence the reverse is also true, and that is that the government has a particular responsibility towards the taxpayer. This is personified by the meaningful and effective utilisation of tax revenue. This involves, on the one hand, taking correct policy decisions and, on the other hand, the effective implementation of these decisions, especially with regard to the eradication of corruption.
The government, according to the FF Plus, is moving in the right direction with regard to its economic policy, but we have to caution that the much-needed economic growth and job creation are not only going to come about through massive government intervention. Taxes should mainly be utilised for creating an environment that would serve the entrepreneurial sector, since it is responsible for creating most jobs.
We believe that Afrikaners and other minorities would support government if it would be willing to review structural obstacles such as affirmative action and black economic empowerment to consequently level the playing field.
We would also like to request from the Minister and his department to give attention to the following matters of concern: firstly, the public would like to know whether the SA Revenue Service would be continuing its investigation into Julius Malema. We know that his tax situation is a private matter, but if the investigation concerns irregularities, especially in the light of the fact that his company is using public funds and delivering substandard services in this regard, the public also has a right to know about the outcome of that investigation.
Secondly, and most importantly, it is becoming very evident that the South African taxpayer is being overburdened by the demands of the state on his or her income. The middle class is struggling, yet the government increasingly levies more taxes or charges upon the everyday working person to the degree that this economy can be constricted into a backwards slide.
At all levels of government, new taxes are born without it necessarily being called taxes. An example is the new road-use tax in Gauteng. Existing tax rates are being increased beyond affordability with many people now facing the prospect of losing their properties due to local government charges.
This is clearly nonsensical. Therefore, we appeal to the Minister to take stock of all the taxes bearing down upon taxpayers and to rework the system into a more equitable form that will allow for entrepreneurial growth in South Africa. Otherwise, we are fast approaching a communist tax system and fascist economy.
The Minister has always shown prudence in the face of adversity, and we trust he will do so again. Thank you very much.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: This is hon Mkhulusi's maiden speech. You are welcome. [Applause.
Ms N N P MKHULUSI: Deputy Speaker, hon Minister of Finance, hon members and guests, the Appropriation Bill in its allocation makes education one of the key priorities of the ANC government. Basic education that is free, compulsory and universal is the overarching vision that forms the ANC's education policy, and it is people's education for people's power.
In following this vision, the ANC has always advanced towards ensuring that education is becoming free, compulsory, universal, and equal for all children. The 2010 Appropriation Bill should therefore enhance the implementation of the ANC's decisions towards the realisation of the overarching vision. The Bill will go a long way in promoting and supporting mathematics, science and information technology through bursaries to be offered to teachers in these areas.
The appropriations to education, human resources and management expenditure increased at an average annual rate of 134,8%, from R38,85 million in 2006-07 to R498,6 million in 2009-10. This growth is due mainly to additional funds allocated for the supply of newly trained teachers from 2007-08.
Prioritisation of these decisions by the ANC is critical, as there are very few teachers of these subjects in the country. Untargeted training of educators will not be able to deal with the challenge of scarce skills shortages in general and shortages of teachers in mathematics, science and information technology in particular.
Coupled to this is the recruitment of scarce skills such as mathematics and science from foreign countries, whilst a review of current recruitment and retention strategies and its effectiveness has been made. Clarity about the intention to implement a decision to recruit scarce skills from foreign countries is lacking. The ANC decided that government should recruit the skills South Africa does not have from foreign countries in order to raise the internal skills capacity through an increased number of well-performing learners who will end up not only with a university education, but with university degrees in mathematics and science.
During the 2008-09 financial year, 40% of both primary and secondary schools were declared no-fee schools. Approximately 60% of the 12 million learners in the system are currently benefiting from the system. The policy of declaring no-fee schools, beginning in January 2007 and extended in 2008, meant that by 2008, 14 264 schools were not required to charge school fees, thus removing the barrier to accessing education.
By 2010, there are supposed to be 8 million learners in approximately 19 933 no-fee schools. It is clear that the department is making a commendable effort to implement this decision. This has been the vision of the ANC for years: a free, compulsory and universal education for all.
The no-fee schools are not only ensuring access for all learners but are also relieving many poor parents of the burden of having to pay school fees for their children and thus releasing funds to be used to secure food and other necessities. There is poverty alleviation in action, and it contributes to enabling South Africa to meet the Millennium Development Goal of reducing extreme poverty by 2015.
The Appropriation Bill has to ensure that schools serving the poor are adequately provided with education resources. Numerous projects have been initiated to improve teaching and learning in disadvantaged communities, which are concentrated in the rural areas.
The development of school infrastructure in respect of quality improvement, development, support and upliftment has ensured that 15 503 schools are benefiting from this programme. There are still challenges remaining in respect of the provision of basic services to rural schools. A national framework for developing education in rural areas was developed and is being refined in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including, amongst other things, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the United Nations Children's Fund, Unicef.
The provision of adult basic education and training through the Kha Ri Gude Mass Literacy Campaign launched in February 2008, was aimed at meeting the Millennium Development Goals of enabling 4,7 million adults to become literate between 2008 and 2012. By 2009, the Kha Ri Gude campaign enabled 613 637 learners to attend classes and had created approximately 40 000 short-term jobs.
A combined total of 1 700 blind and deaf learners were reached through employing about 190 Braille and sign language educators. Government's commitment to the elimination of illiteracy is demonstrated by the fact that expenditure has grown, through the appropriation from the fiscus, from R17,1 million in 2007-08 to R443,2 million in 2009-10.
The expansion of early childhood development has been advanced a step further through the 2010 Appropriation Bill. By 2009, there was a 77% national enrolment for Grade R learners at public and independent primary schools, with a further 200 000 learners in classes at community sites. Bags and reading books were distributed to 6 750 Grade R and Grade 1 learners in the Free State and the Eastern Cape as part of the "Drop All and Read Campaign". A total of 2,5 million Ithuba books in all 11 languages were delivered to 2 000 schools as reading material for the intermediate phase learners.
By 2014, all children will participate in Grade R. In this regard, the national funding norms for Grade R will be reviewed to ensure that they consider key curriculum-related matters such as teacher qualifications and class size. The review is expected to be complete by 2011. Through successive Appropriation Bills, the expenditure for early childhood development has grown from R3,9 million in 2007-08 to R11,4 million in 2009-10. The growth is indicative of the intention of the ANC government to expand the early childhood development provision.
The efforts to ensure that all early childhood development centres are standardised to offer the same quality of knowledge to all children and are mainstreamed to enable the Department of Basic Education to exercise monitoring and oversight over them, are very encouraging. This will ensure that all South African children are provided with the necessary learning foundation by 2014.
In terms of this Appropriation Bill teachers are assisted in respect of detailed daily lesson plans and easy-to-use workbooks in all official languages. During 2010, enough workbooks for Grade R to Grade 6 learners, accompanied by teacher manuals, were distributed to schools.
From the beginning of 2011, workbooks will be used by learners from Grade R to Grade 9. Successive Appropriation Bills have seen the appropriation grow from R750 million in 2009-10 to R913 million in 2010-11 and R1 billion in 2011-12. It will ensure that teachers do not spend a lot of time preparing for lessons, but that their time will be spent on the core business of teaching and learning.
On the other hand, the workbooks in all official languages also give expression to the constitutionally entrenched right for everyone to receive an education in the official language of their choice in public education institutions wherever it is practically possible. Learners who learn in their own language from an early age have a stronger potential to understand the essence of what they are taught than those who learn in a second language.
The Constitution calls upon government to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic, social justice and fundamental human rights. In this regard, by ensuring that the poor are adequately provided with educational resources, the ANC is demonstrating that the children of the poor can be emancipated from poverty through education.
This fight against poverty not only gives us an opportunity for a better life for all, but contributes towards the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals to reduce extreme poverty.
Let me now turn to higher education in the context of the Appropriation Bill. Of key concern for the ANC is that higher education institutions, which are highly subsidised by the state, are not being closely monitored to ensure that graduates emerging from them, in the main, are equipped to respond to our society's socioeconomic needs. The funnel effect in the higher education institutions, in which the quantitative input is higher than the throughput which, in turn, is higher than the output, deserves more focused attention.
The ANC seeks to build a national democratic society through a developmental state that is technically capable of driving the national agenda and is organising to rally and unite behind that agenda. Such a developmental state has to be capacitated through a broadened skills base that has the capacity to shoulder the developmental imperatives in areas such as infrastructure development and maintenance.
In that regard, adult education, training and skills transfer have to be prioritised. Further Education and Training colleges, FET Colleges, should also be reoriented to produce more of the critical skills that are necessary for the pursuance of the new economic growth path which is job driven.
The need to develop skills for rural development, for advanced technological capabilities, and for growing the economy is critical. This must inform the skills strategies that should support the engine of the new growth path. At the same time, we must facilitate institutional linkages that are flexible and dynamic to meet the differentiated and overlapping demands and opportunities for skills across the sectors of the economy. We should do so by directing skills development resources available to the state so as to meet the dynamic needs efficiently and effectively. The active support of stakeholders, labour, the community, and business, in particular, must be one of our central concerns.
One of the priorities of the ANC-led government is the creation of decent work and sustainable livelihoods, thus reducing unemployment and extreme poverty to concomitantly respond to the Millennium Development Goals. Research demonstrates a direct link between unemployment in South Africa and the skills deficit, thus revealing a stark mismatch between the supply and demand of skills. Employers have often indicated that knowledge, skills, and capacities that people bring from their educational experiences are insufficient for the needs of the workplace.
Commitment to vocational training should be demonstrated in resource allocation to FET colleges and Sector Education and Training Authorities, Setas, which are vessels through which students in general and adults, in particular, receive skills that are needed to drive the engine of the new economic growth path.
We must do more to capacitate FET colleges and Setas to drive the agenda of skilling the South African society. This will include capitalising these institutions, in order to make them attractive as providers of skills and also to create relationships with business and other employers, to ensure work-driven training and immediate systemic placement of students who exit the training system.
The January 2010 ANC NEC lekgotla resolved that FET colleges should be geared towards promoting scarce skills. The FET colleges have, in the recent past, been focusing on the provision of soft skills which are either subordinate or equip students for a subsistence that marginally contributes to the economic life of the community. This needs a rethink in the light of our massive infrastructure development programme and the skills needs that this brings with it.
In conclusion, this Appropriation Bill must be in line with the ANC's 2009 manifesto priorities. The ANC government will increase graduate output in areas of skills shortages, and this will include measures to streamline Setas and other institutions to address the existing and forecasted skills shortages, as the manifesto requires. The ANC supports the Appropriation Bill of 2010. I thank you. [Applause.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, hon members! Before I call hon Rabie, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the presence in the gallery of a delegation from the European Parliament, led by Mr Michael Cashman. The delegation is attending the SA-EU 15th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting. You are all welcome. [Applause.
Hon members, I also want to make an appeal to those members who choose to talk and not to listen, it becomes very distracting. Even here I can't hear what the speaker is saying. If you choose to talk, do so quietly so that it doesn't distract other people, please.
Dr P J RABIE: Deputy Speaker, hon Ministers and hon members, South Africa is emerging from a recession in which approximately 1 million South Africans have lost their jobs. Economic growth in South Africa, during the last ten years, was basically jobless, and I think the hon Professor Ben Turok will agree with me on that.
The ANC's economic policy and its Budget in 2010-11 use the phrase, "a developmental state". I think they use it very extensively.
a new growth path that will result in the eradication of widespread poverty and the present unacceptable levels of unemployment.
Whether it would happen under the present economic policy of the ANC is questionable. What is of significance, however, is that this particular Bill identifies the following five policy priorities of government, namely job creation and infrastructure, which I think is very important; education and skills development; improving health care services; rural development; and justice and crime prevention.
The DA is a party for all the people. One of our core principles is to establish an open society where all people, irrespective of race, colour or gender, have equal access to opportunities. What South Africa needs at this moment, more than ever before, is a public sector that is able to solve the following priorities; and allow me to start with education.
The national Department of Education is responsible for policy development, co-ordination, monitoring, and evaluation. The provincial departments of education are responsible for the actual implementation of programmes in schools. In a submission to the Standing Committee on Appropriations, the Human Sciences Research Council, HSRC, states that current research indicates that cognitive performance at an early age of six years can predict later performance, especially in mathematics. Whether it actually happens is debatable.
Strong, quality mother-tongue development is essential for literacy, academic language, numeracy and other skills. Whether this is actually occurring too is also questionable.
It also indicates high volatility amongst the youth-learner aspirations that is failing to translate into student enrolments and high volatility amongst the youth-learner aspirations failing to translate into skilled enrolments. This was taken from what the HSRC said to us in the committee.
What this in essence means is that the current education system does not provide the adequate skills required in the labour market. It is estimated by the HSRC that before the present economic downturn, there were about 2,5 million people aged between 15 and 24 years who were out of work and not studying. It is my contention that this problem is now considerably worse.
The Standing Committee on Appropriations had a hearing on the Expanded Public Works Programme. What emerged during the hearing is that some government departments have not yet implemented clear financial control reporting; and the underspending in respect of the Expanded Public Works Programme incentive hampers the national goal of job creation. And this was crystal clear.
Another question that remains is whether there is adequate communication between national, provincial and local spheres of government. All indications are that there is room for improvement, but whether the political will exists is questionable, if the lack of service delivery that exists at local level is taken into account.
The DA is of the opinion that the commitment to maintain and to create new infrastructure is essential. A thorough review of the capital expenditure and operational efficiency of state-owned enterprises is required. It is of national importance. It is not acceptable for ordinary taxpayers, who already carry a heavy tax burden, to subsidise nonprofitable state-owned enterprises. Privatisation of these entities is inevitable if we want our manufacturing sector to grow and to compete in global markets.
The cost of doing business in South Africa is still too high. The DA therefore urges government to reduce the red tape.
The DA welcomes the additional spending in this Bill on rural development. More than 40% of the total population in South Africa lives in rural areas. What is of concern, however, is that the present HSRC research indicates that only 10% of this population is economically active in organised agricultural production in these particular areas.
According to the 2010-11 Budget, spending on rural development will increase from R6 billion to R8 billion by the year 2012-13. The department also identified a number of priorities, for example, water management, agricultural support, and extension for both household and commercial farming. Rural development requires a holistic approach, and it is critical that the private sector, the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Water and Environmental Affairs; Transport; Public Works; and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and other entities become involved in rural development.
The DA also urges the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform not to deviate from accepted international economic principles that relate to private property sales. The willing seller, willing buyer principle remains in force. We cannot afford another Zimbabwe. Our economy is vulnerable; we are not yet out of the woods. Only 12 million South Africans are employed, of which only 5,3 million actually pay income tax, whilst between 12 and 13 million people still depend upon social grants.
The portfolio committee took note of the submission by the Public Service Commission that the Department of Police does not comply with the Public Service Act that states that the suspension process should take 60 days. It took them about 80 days to suspend something like 650 of their members.
The result of this was that the department lost R5,4 million from suspensions with pay. What is further of concern is that this department has lost R102 million to financial misconduct, and only 61% of this particular total was recovered. This is clearly not acceptable. The DA urges the hon Minister of Police to institute preventative measures to rectify the financial misconduct in his department.
Violent crime and corruption threaten the economic and social future of all South Africans. Statistics released by the SAPS for April 2008 until March 2009 puts South Africa's murder rate [Time expired.] I thank you, Madam. [Applause.
Ms R M MASHIGO: Madam Deputy Speaker, hon Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MPs and guests, the document on the reconstruction and development programme speaks about, among other things, the democratisation of society and people-driven needs.
The voters have spoken, through the inputs of the ANC branches that represent the aspirations and hopes of their communities, irrespective of political affiliations. The Budget speaks to the people's needs, the ANC's 2009 election manifesto and the government's priority programmes.
This paper will focus on crime prevention, policing and health, explaining why the appropriation is relevant. What is common in these two departments, SAPS and Health, is that they both have a high capacity for job creation, caring and patriotism, and are labour-intensive. The correlation between the two departments is that a person has to be physically healthy to join the police force.
The battle against crime cannot be separated from war and want specific mind sets and historical conditions drive elements of crime problems the network of crime has grown in their reach and sophistication across national boundaries - this includes syndicates that deal with money laundering, human smuggling as well as drug trafficking and abuse.
The government is addressing those issues. The ANC will never abandon its mass mobilisation towards crime prevention and protection of people, communities and their properties. The strong community policing forums, which emanated from our Stellenbosch conference resolutions, and again emphasised at the Polokwane conference, showed these effects, because the residents have such a lot of confidence in the policing forums.
This is because the policing forums do liaise with the communities and relevant stakeholders, and they are also able to detect anti-social behaviour in the communities and report them to relevant structures.
On top of this, we are strengthening this with our street committees, which actually act as a neighbourhood watch. They know who lives within the areas and in the neighbourhood; and as a result, they can easily detect criminal elements among themselves and report them to the police and the policing forums.
Through these structures, we can even strengthen the community courts. In rural areas and in villages we also need to mobilise the implementation of safety plans under our traditional leaders. The hon Minister of Police is also involved in meetings with the farmers, trying to resolve the issue of crime in that sector.
The National Youth Service Programme should involve youth in the massive programme of community policing safety, which includes night patrols to instil discipline among the youth as well as the value of serving and protecting the community and public property.
We thank the President for the appointment of General Bheki Cele at the helm of the Police Service. He is doing exactly what everybody in this House wants. He is changing the mindsets and promoting professionalism and discipline within the institution, which will earn the police the respect and confidence of the community. This goes further with proper training and the investigative eye of the police.
We should remember that re-enlistment of former senior police officers in this regard means those who are fit to do the work. One should not cry foul when members from the former police services are turned down, because we really need fit people, who will still be able to do the job. This is a very good programme. We wish that the fit, former police officers would come back and join us in the prevention of crime.
The implementation of a single Police Service is long overdue. We appreciate the announcement by the Minister of Police during the Budget Vote debate on 6 May 2010 on this subject. There should be co-ordination of police services for effective policing, under the control and management of the office of the general of SAPS.
There should be co-ordination of the criminal justice system, so that police investigators and prosecuting officers can ensure that some cases are not thrown out of court because of fragmented processes and technicallities. We should also strengthen the Independent Complaints Directorate to ensure compliance with the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act and that SAPS is doing as recommended.
There is also the integration of border controls, to ensure the prevention of transnational crime and the security of the country. The Department of Finance has to fill its 22 vacancies of the 97 964 posts, as at September 2009, in order to effectively fulfil this and its other core functions. The strengthening of forensic capacity is also recommended as mentioned in our 2009 election manifesto.
We know that we have the trio which will make us effective in tracing all those crimes through the assistance of forensic investigation and integrated Information and Communications Technology, ICT, utilisation. The intergovernmental co-operation under this co-ordination should also be strengthened in order to prevent and combat cyber crimes.
The number of posts in SAPS, as at 31 September 2009, according to the figures that we received yesterday, was 192 240; and the vacancy rate between 2009-10 stands at 3,5%. This translates into 6 869 posts. All these vacancies are at the lower levels of between one and six. These levels are supposed to be the levels at which poverty and unemployment are meant to be alleviated, as they are occupied by unqualified personnel and low-ranking police officials. It is really necessary and imperative that those people out there who are able to do the job effectively should be employed and those posts should be filled because they don't need any documentation.
Reference has been made to corruption, and the strategic plan of the Department of Police is indicating that the prevention, detection and investigation of corruption within the departments will be a major focus. I do not dispute the fact that the Public Service Act has shown that many of the suspended cases have gone long beyond 60 days, and this has led to fruitless expenditure in the department. Hon Minister, this really needs proper attention.
Under health, hon members, I will be talking about what the Freedom Charter says concerning health for all. It commits the government to promote the health schemes under the state, free medical care and hospitalisation, with special care for mothers and children. We are focusing on primary health care.
It should be noted that in South Africa, the first and most significant policy for health promotion appeared in the ANC's health policy document. It recognised the power of health promotion in promoting the lives of South Africans and in its vision for primary health care. It was endorsed by the White Paper and the National Health Act of 2003 as a strategic approach for ensuring an accessible, affordable and efficient health system with full community participation and intersectoral collaborations.
We have seen achievements towards that, with health facilities closer to communities. There are still areas without basic facilities, but with the human settlement programmes, at last services will be where the people are. The use of mobile clinics in remote areas should be seen as an interim measure, as it has already proved to be unreliable.
Through the establishment of clinic committees, hospital boards and public education, the communities will understand the importance of attending local health care centres and clinics instead of going to hospital for minor and chronic treatments. Instead of waiting for death to occur at any public institution and then running to the media, let us all make it our duty to address our constituencies and our political parties about the importance of attending local health centres.
This is where the Millennium Development Goals on reduction of child mortality and improvement of maternal health starts. It starts right at the clinics. Many of the deaths relating to these two goals happen due to the lack or sometimes underutilisation of resources, which include HIV/Aids and mother-to-child transmission.
The ANC-led government is actively addressing the issues of inequality in health systems, improving quality of care, public facilities and human resources. The Declaration of Alma-Ata committed members of the participating countries to health for all by 2000. One of the principles of this promotion was to emphasise primary health care. This means providing appropriate services to the people where they are and within the communities.
HIV remains a threat in our country. The ANC has committed itself to working hard towards the target of cutting new HIV infections by half by 2011 and ensuring that 80% of those infected have access to ARVs. We salute President Zuma, the hon Minister of Health and others for leading by example, when they confronted all perceptions and stigmas attached to the pandemic. The ANC will continuously mobilise the people to practice safer sex.
With the involvement of faith-based organisations, we will definitely achieve what we want to by making sure that the moral fibre of the community is upheld.
The South African National Aids Council, Sanac, has been revived and is looking at the strategies that will address the fight against Aids. HIV prevention is well-resourced within the government departments, for example, the Social Services Developmental Co-ordination Programme addresses, with other departments, the HIV prevention programmes.
I can only mention the caregivers' programmes, which are under the Expanded Public Works Programme, and others focusing on HIV awareness, condom distribution and male circumcision.
The Comprehensive National Insurance Plan will address the review of hospital revitalisation, and will be looking at the maintenance of the existing facilities.
Human resources development is an issue. We are hoping that the departments will come up with a human resources development programme that will address the high vacancy rates. This will include the opening of nursing colleges.
We all know that, as a profession, nursing was associated with poverty alleviation, because students used to receive salaries whilst training. This then had a positive economic impact on their families.
We have all the oversight tools to make sure that the budget is going to be used for the purposes that it is intended for. The Constitution expects all of us to call for accountability. The people out there know what they want, but depend on us to get it. Let us not fail them.
As a committee we debated so well today, which shows that all those members of other parties who attended the hearings of the Standing Committee on Appropriations understand exactly what we want.
We are inviting members from the FF Plus to attend one day. They should understand that we are here for equity and not just to promote one sector of the community. The ANC's aim is to transform the imbalances of the past. Let us all agree that everybody should get a better life. With the assistance of everyone here, we are going to achieve whatever we want - equity and equality for all members of the South African population.
With these words, we invite all those members who took part in the debate today and supported the budget to please attend the committee hearings so that they can understand what the Standing Committee on Appropriations stands for; or they should at least ask for the documents containing the terms of reference of the committee. The ANC supports the Bill. I thank you. [Applause.
The MINISTER OF FINANCE: Madam Deputy Speaker, the Acting President, and colleagues. Let me also join the House in offering my condolences to the Slabbert family. I met Van Zyl Slabbert in the early 80s when I was on the other side of the political line. I can only commend his impeccable integrity and resilience. [Interjections.] No, you will learn about it soon, don't worry.
On behalf of the Minister's committee on the Budget and indeed the Cabinet, I want to thank and extend our appreciation to the Standing Committee on Appropriations and its chairperson, Mr Sogoni, and indeed all Members of Parliament who have participated through the various portfolio committees in interrogating the Appropriation Bill.
This is a new period during which a new, critical look had to be given to the Division of Revenue, to the Fiscal Framework and the proposed allocations to the various departments. Of course, all of the committees heard what the departments were delivering, but all of them also heard how each of the departments wants more money. Of course, the amounts will range from anything up to a billion rand as we have learnt. May I thank, on behalf of Cabinet, Parliament for its vigilance and very constructive debate and contributions to a very important process.
This year, Deputy Speaker, is an interesting year. It marks the first time we have implemented the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act. We did so in the middle of a serious recession which, every now and then, seems to tell us it's going away, but then decides to come back.
We have had to move into a deficit of 7,3% to secure our expenditure on infrastructure, social commitment and other commitments in terms of spending programmes. We have put in place measures to mitigate the impact of this recession on workers and businesses. Also, we have conducted an internal campaign - like many governments are doing now - to encourage savings, to find value-for-money propositions and, more importantly, to get a collective voice amongst us in our fight against corruption and the virulent rent-seeking that seems to typify our society.
We must endorse Mr Sogoni's words when he says these are public funds and there is a lot more that politicians, administrative heads and others could do to make sure that we get the right value for money.
In the last three days we have had some good news. Two days ago the Reserve bank informed us that the leading indicators - these are indicators that they monitor in the economy that tell us if the curve is moving up or down, or just straight are showing that we are increasingly moving away from the recession that we've been experiencing.
Yesterday we heard from Statistics SA that our GDP for the first quarter was 4,6% and today we heard from them again that the Consumer Price Index, CPI, came out at 4,8% - much below what many people expected. [Applause.
I think we should rightly be happy that South Africa appears to have left the recession behind; it certainly has. But when we look at the world around us, we also have to be mindful that there are still risks in the world around us. As I will illustrate to you in a moment, we are not completely in a clear. Remember that the recession that we experienced in South Africa wasn't of our own making. It was the greed and avarice of bankers in Wall Street that got us what the rest of the world had got itself into.
At the same time, we must appreciate the good news, but the key challenge before us is how to increase the volume of this good news into a roar which says we are, indeed, on the path of an inclusive growth economy. The warning for us, though, is that most of the world or many parts of the world are on what we may call a fiscal watch.
Let me give you some examples of what this fiscal watch means. The United Kingdom, UK, announced the other day - you might agree or disagree with the current coalition administration - that they are going to cut £6,25 billion in this year's budget. A sum of £1 billion is to be cut in discretionary areas like consultancy and travel costs; £95 million by cutting losts in IT spending; £1,7 billion by delaying and stopping contracts and projects; £170 million through reductions and property costs; £600 million from cutting the costs of quangos, or what we call state entities; and another £520 million by reducing other lower-value spending.
Local government must make a contribution of £1,1 billion to this overall £6 billion and over.
Mr M J ELLIS: We would like to have those same cuts.
The MINISTER OF FINANCE: That is something you have to wait for, Mr Ellis, until you get to Cabinet. [Laughter.
Now what are other countries doing Minnesota, a state in the United States, has reduced state government aid by US$250 million, made reductions in state health and human services programmes, and has reduced state agencies and other programmes?
In Ireland a 2% pay cut has been imposed on all those earning between €15 000 and €75 000. Those earning incomes above €75 000 have to be levied at between 4% and 9% of the income as an additional levy - I'd like to know how many volunteers we have for that here in the House! There is also a health levy increase to 5% and a number of other cuts in the various services that government offers.
Greece, of course, has been in the news, but amongst the many things that they had to do as part of their fiscal consolidation is that annual holiday bonuses have been capped; pensioners' bonuses will also be capped; taxes will be increased; and deep cuts in defence spending and hospital procurement have been made. Now this story goes on in Portugal, Spain and France, and in the last 24 hours, Italy has joined the queue of those making these cuts.
Notwithstanding that record of what the rest of the world is doing, we can safely say that in South Africa we have a very clear plan, in spite of some of the comments that we have heard today, to manage our debt.
Let me repeat that the increase in our borrowing wasn't because of our own choice; it was forced upon us. We did it because we wanted to protect the programmes of government and to ensure that our people are not deprived of the services that they need or that the investment in infrastructure expenditure is not compromised in anyway.
We were not profligate like Greece or any other country and I believe that, notwithstanding our challenges, we have a very clear fiscal consolidation plan that will eventually take us from last year's 7,3% deficit, which is now 6,7%, of course, to 4,1% in three years'. And I think it will even be lower than that if we manage ourselves carefully. [Applause.
Hon Mr MacKenzie, your question around consultants is, in fact, answered in the Estimates of National Expenditure booklet - the thick one - and I can give you page references where you can actually find it. That might help you to identify where those numbers are. Your point about the procurement processes and so on is valid, but I think it's improper to just finger one department like the Department of Correctional Services, where I know the Minister is putting in extraordinary efforts to ensure that the procurement process is put right.
The concerns that we have about debt service costs are valid. This increase from R57 billion last year to R104 billion in three years' time. And we require, if you like, a national consensus amongst all of us on the fact that we can't just borrow endlessly, neither can we spend endlessly on interest payments on our borrowings. We need to manage our fiscus in the right way, therefore, we certainly share the sentiments in that regard.
Many of our colleagues have raised questions around value for money, savings and corruption. I think we have gone some way to understanding where the gaps in the procurement system are. I don't think we have done enough, yet. There is some intensive work going on and hopefully, in the next month or two, we will be able to announce further steps to close these loopholes.
But the problem here, ladies and gentlemen, is that there is a significant culture of rent-seeking that is developing in South Africa. Make easy money; access it easily; make the right connections with politicians and bureaucrats and without putting in any sweat equity at all - I don't have to sweat, I don't have work hard, I don't have to think hard - all I need to do is make the right connection. We must end that. [Applause.
On state-owned entities, all of us would agree that the kind of paradigm within which these entities have operated for the past five or 10 years is not quite the paradigm we want for the future. This is a matter that the President, as you know, has taken in hand and I think in the next six months or so we will begin to see some results on many of the issues that colleagues have raised.
On the savings question, let's remember that in this Budget itself the efforts that we have put in over a very short period of time gave us some R25 billion of savings which we have redistributed over the three-year period to various priorities. This is a start, but we need to do a lot more than we have done up to this point.
Colleagues, for example, the hon Lebenya-Ntanzi has raised various questions about heads of departments taking more responsibility for the funds and how they spend them. I think here we would agree with you that there is more work that leaders within the Public Service can do in order not to raise expectations of more money, but to find innovative ways to do more with less money. That is the pattern that the rest of the world is following.
How do we fund our infrastructure needs If you listen to all the announcements that we have had recently, including Mr Ndebele's announcement that we need R75 billion to fill the potholes in our road system, then the list that we have is long. One of the things that we as a country will have to look at is how to prioritise what we want to do on the infrastructure side. Where do we get the maximum bang for our buck, if you like, and the maximum impact on the economy as a whole?
It is interesting that one of the morning newspapers today gives credit to government for its infrastructure investment and its contribution to the GDP thus far. So, read that paper and its editorial; and it's a welcome acknowledgement of the efforts and plans of government itself.
The hon Ntapane raises questions about state-owned enterprises, SOEs, and in particular the SABC and Eskom. On behalf of Minister Hogan, I can certainly give you the assurance that Eskom is on a much better footing; that its management team is really ticking and very cohesive. There are very clear plans about where they want to take the organisation in order to make sure that we have the energy suppliers that we actually need; and it is beginning to correct some of the mistakes that might have been in the system.
I can't say the same for the SABC at the moment. There is a lot of work to do in that entity and many other entities to ensure that this culture of relying on government guarantees to keep them on this side of the auditors' line is one that we need to put an end to. Management in these entities must learn to take responsibility and they must deliver the goods. That is the key.
Mr Alberts, I regret to tell you that the word "communist" is not an unfriendly word these days, because we all refer to China and China is headed by a communist party. I think many of us might want to emulate what they do to get the kind of growth figure that they have; the kind of speed at which they can implement their infrastructure projects; and the culture of can-do. The days of "swartgevaar", I'm afraid, have been left behind sometime ago and we might have to find other ways of addressing some of the questions and concerns that you have. [Applause.
We want to agree with Mr Swart that issues - several other colleagues have mentioned this as well - of roll-overs, wasteful expenditure, over- and underexpenditure, and not quite abiding by the Public Finance and Management Act, PFMA, are all issues which the Standing Committee on Appropriations have come across. Ministers and heads of departments I'm sure will give the appropriate attention to this.
In conclusion, let me say that we have done well, this year, to implement the Money Bills Amendment procedure and Related Matters Act in Parliament; to get the right level of interaction between Ministers and the portfolio committees; and to give attention to the key issues that we have before us.
Let us recognise that we do have a very uncertain period ahead of us. There are no guarantees that the revenues will come as we think or that the economy will sustain the kind of growth indicators that it is giving us at the moment. But there are two things that we need to bear in mind.
The first is that as we go into the next budget cycle we will have to learn about what real prioritisation means; we will have to learn that we have to take money from somewhere and give it somewhere else.
And we will have to learn that we have to make trade-offs, we can't do everything for everybody at the same time from the same pot of money, and so I'm waiting for volunteers to say that I can take money from them and give it to somebody else - not necessarily on this side, though.
Finally, we all need to take collective responsibility for the fact that babies should not be dying in our hospitals; people shouldn't be living in the conditions they live in when the President visited Sweetwater; and that a lot should be done to end the theft from the state and the rent-seeking that is happening.
So let me recommend that you adopt the Appropriation Bill and I thank you for this opportunity. [Applause.
Bill read a first time.
Vote No 1-The Presidency-put.
The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: Madam Deputy Speaker, the DA has no option but to call for a division on this Vote and make a declaratory statement in this regard.
Besides the fact that the President's first year in office has been somewhat of an annus horribilis, and despite the enormous opportunity that goes with being the host country for the 2010 football World Cup, there have been many - too many - instances that have compromised not only the person of the President, but also the office.
This Vote's allocation has grown systematically over the past few years and the projections for further exponential growth are frankly a matter of grave concern. This budget has grown at an average rate of 45,6% between 2006-07 and 2009-10.
The Presidency has also recently adopted two infants, namely the National Planning Commission and the monitoring and evaluation commission. This in itself - despite the fact that their budgetary allocation is R50 million, which makes up only 7% of the total budget of the Presidency, and the fact that the two commissions have only recently began crawling, literally - demands of this Parliament an appropriate oversight authority to evaluate the performance of these commissions and monitor their expenditure, as with all the other departments.
The balance of this not inconsiderable budget of R677 million is at the disposal of the Presidency. It remains an anathema to me that there has to date not been an oversight authority that has interrogated the expenditure of the Presidency in preceding years, so as to appropriately interrogate the current budget proposals. It is inconceivable that any budget can be passed for any ensuing period without proper accounting for what has previously been appropriated.
It is therefore just not possible to approve this allocation and we will remain constrained in this regard until an appropriate oversight authority or mechanism is established. The DA hereby notes its objection to the Budget Vote No 1 - The Presidency.
Mr M S SHILOWA: Chairperson, any government which is inefficient tries to correct that inefficiency by becoming bigger and more expensive. That is exactly what this government has done. We have one of the most bloated Cabinets in the world.
While a huge country like the United States of America has 15 executive departments, we in South Africa now have 35 ministries! Similarly, the Federal Republic of Germany has 15 ministries. Russia, which is another huge country, has 17 ministries. The cost of government is imposing an intolerable burden on the country. As we already have a fiscal deficit, government is going to have to increase taxes because it will not be willing to cut down on its size.
On top of that, we have a President who does not seem to relate very well to the Constitution. On Sunday, 23 May 2010, the President told the citizens in Nelspruit that anyone who dared to leave the party would be exposed by the ancestors and will get stick! [Interjections.] People are being intimidated and lied to.
Earlier, there was the incident of the jogger from the University of Cape Town, who was bullied. All in all, this President is not leading a government that is delivering a better life for all. Cope will not support this Vote. [Interjections.]. Thank you.
Rev K R J MESHOE: Chairperson, when we debated the hon Dandala's motion of no confidence in the President of South Africa, the ACDP gave reasons why we supported the motion. To show consistency and continuity on our part, the ACDP will not be supporting Budget Vote No 1-The Presidency. [Interjections.
Under President Zuma's leadership, state expenditure has increased substantially; the latest addition being the more than R15 million in taxpayer's money that will have to be paid to maintain his three wives and fiancé. [Interjections.
The President has failed to show overall leadership in times of crisis and violent protests which are a response to poor service delivery. The ACDP will therefore not support this Budget Vote. Thank you.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: House Chairperson, the ANC rises in support of Budget Vote No 1: The Presidency. The budget contains the key elements to implement the vision and programme of action of this government.
Upon assuming the high office of President of the Republic, President Zuma committed the government to working tirelessly towards fundamental change in the lives of all South Africans, especially the poorest of the poor.
The levels of interaction with ordinary people and key stakeholders in society have become one of the salient features of the Presidency. The bulk of the money, which totals R465,1 million, is targeting executive co-ordination that includes policy co-ordination, the Cabinet office and the National Youth Development Agency. As the ANC, we encourage the Presidency to continue on this path.
We are really disappointed to learn that the only motivation of the DA to challenge this budget is because there is no monitoring mechanism. This is despite the fact that the DA has submitted names for the constitution of a task team to do that. [Interjections.] So, in short, it means you have no viable motivation for what you are doing. [Interjections.
With regard to Cope, Cope is a chicken without a head. [Interjections.] How can we listen to a chicken without a head; it will mislead us. [Interjections.] [Time expired.
AYES - 215: Abram, S; Adams, P E; Baloyi, M R; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, P; Bikani, F C; Bogopane-Zulu, H I; Booi, M S; Borman, G M; Boshigo, D F; Botha, Y R; Burgess, C V; Buthelezi, M G; Carrim, Y I; Cebekhulu, R N; Chauke, H P; Chikunga, L S; Chohan, F I; Coleman, E M; Cronin, J P; Cwele, S C; De Lille, P; Diale, L N; Dikgacwi, M M; Dlakude, D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlamini-Zuma, N C; Dlodlo, A; Doidge, G Q M; Dubazana, Z S; Dube, M C; Dunjwa, M L; Fihla, N B; Fransman, M L; Frolick, C T; Fubbs, J L; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gelderblom, J P; Gigaba, K M N; Gina, N; Godongwana, E; Gololo, C L; Gona, M F; Gumede, D M; Gungubele, M; Gxowa, N B; Hajaig, F; Hogan, B A; Hoosen, M H; Huang, S-B; Jacobus, L; Jeffery, J H; Joemat-Pettersson, T M; Johnson, M; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Kholwane, S E; Khumalo, F E; Khunou, N P; Komphela, B M; Koornhof, G W; Kota-Fredericks, Z A; Kubayi, M T; Landers, L T; Lebenya-Ntanzi, S P; Lekgetho, G; Line, H; Lishivha, T E; Luyenge, Z; Maake, J J; Mabasa, X; Mabedla, N R; Mabuza, M C; Madlala, N M; Mafolo, M V; Magagula, V V; Magama, H T; Magau, K R; Magazi, M N; Magwanishe, G; Mahlangu-Nkabinde, G L; Makhuba, H N; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Makwetla, S P; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, J M; Manamela, K B; Manana, M C; Mandela, Z M D; Manganye, J; Manuel, T A; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Martins, B A D; Mashigo, R M; Mashishi, A C; Masilo, J M; Masutha, T M; Mataboge, D K; Mathebe, D H; Mathebe, P M; Mathibela, N F; Matshoba, J M; Maunye, M M; Mavunda, D W; Maziya, A M; Mbalula, F A; Mc Gluwa, J J; Mdakane, M R; Mdladlana, M M S; Mentor, M P; Mfeketo, N C; Mgabadeli, H C; Mjobo, L N; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlambo, E M; Mlangeni, A; Mmusi, S G; Mnisi, N A; Mohale, M C; Mokoena, A D; Molebatsi, M A; Molewa, B E E; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Morutoa, M R; Moss, L N; Motimele, M S; Motshekga, M A; Motshekga, M S; Msweli, H S; Mthethwa, E M; Mthethwa, E N; Mtshali, E; Mushwana, F F; Muthambi, A F; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndabandaba, L B G; Ndabeni, S T; Ndebele, J S; Ndlovu, V B; Nelson, W J; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngele, N J; Ngwenya, W; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njikelana, S J; Nkwinti, G E; Nonkonyana, M; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntuli, Z C; Nxesi, T W; Nyalungu, R E; Nyanda, M F; Nyekemba, E; Oliphant, G G; Oosthuizen, G C; Pandor, G N M; Petersen-Maduna, P; Phaahla, M J; Phaliso, M N; Pilusa-Mosoane, M E; Radebe, B A; Radebe, G S; Radebe, J T; Ramatlhodi, N A; Rantsolase, M A; Saal, G; Segale-Diswai, M J; Selau, G J; Sexwale, T M G; Shiceka, S; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibhida, N N ; Sithole, K P; Sithole, S C N; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Sogoni, E M; Sonjica, B P; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Suka, L; Sulliman, E M; Sunduza, T B; Surty, M E; Thabethe, E; Thobejane, S G; Thomson, B; Tinto, B; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tsenoli, S L; Tshivhase, T J; Tshwete, P; Tsotetsi, D R; Turok, B; Twala, N M; Vadi, I; Van der Merwe, S C; Van Rooyen, D D; Van Wyk, A; Xaba, P P; Yengeni, L E; Zikalala, C N Z; Zondi, K M; Zulu, B Z.
NOES - 66: Alberts, A D; Boinamo, G G; Bosman, L L; Coetzee, T W; Davidson, I O; De Freitas, M S F; Doman, W P; Du Toit, N D; Dudley, C; Duncan, P C; Ellis, M J; Farrow, S B; Fritz, A T; George, D T; Groenewald, P J; James, W G; Kalyan, S V; Kloppers-Lourens, J C; Kohler-Barnard, D; Lamoela, H; Lee, T D; Lorimer, J R B; Lotriet, A; Louw, A; Lovemore, A T; MacKenzie, G D; Marais, E J; Marais, S J F; Masango, S J; Maynier, D J; Mazibuko, L D; Meshoe, K R J; Michael, N W A; Mnguni, P B; Mokgalapa, S; More, E; Morgan, G R; Motau, S C; Mubu, K S; Mulder, C P; Nhanha, M A; Njobe, M A A; Ntshiqela, P; Ollis, I M; Poho, P; Rabie, P J; Rabotapi, M W; Robinson, D; Ross, D; Schmidt, H C; Selfe, J; Shinn, M R; Smiles, D C; Steele, M H; Steyn, A; Steyn, A C; Swart, M; Swathe, M M; Trollip, R A P; Van Dalen, P; Van der Linde, J J; Van der Walt, D; Van Dyk, S M; Van Schalkwyk, H C; Waters, M; Wenger, M.
Vote accordingly agreed to.
Vote 2 - Parliament - put.
Mr P D MBHELE: Chairperson, unfortunately for the members who are making a noise, Cope will support the Budget Vote on Parliament, but with a strong word of caution and much reservation. We need to develop and build a strong culture of oversight, as this is one of the most important tools that we can utilise to strengthen our democracy and take our nation forward.
The necessary policy and tools are in place. However, implementation is the problem. We need to ensure that every Minister submits to the oversight mechanism so that the government is seen to be placing a high premium on accountability. This is what society is demanding and if we are the people's government, we should oblige.
Cope supports the demand for Ministers to respond to questions in earnest and on time in order not to render the process futile. Cope also urges the reintroduction of interpellations without any further delay. This is supposed to be the year of action and the Speaker of the House must actually lead from the very front. Thank you.
Mr C T FROLICK: Chairperson, the fourth democratic Parliament which is an activist Parliament, is tasked with oversight and I want to remind the hon member from Cope that oversight is not only about asking questions to the executive. Asking questions is one of those elements and there are other areas of responsibility where parties need to exercise those responsibilities.
It means that we need to ensure that the lawmaking process is improved in such a way that it improves the lives of our people. Yes, we need to intensify our oversight, but we also need to ensure that public participation is not left behind.
We also need to ensure that all the structures that we have put in place are operationalised to make the fourth democratic Parliament more effective. In this light, the strategic plan that has been tabled by the Speaker has been scrutinised, commented on and adopted.
May I finally add that I am glad to hear that Cope is not going to object to the Budget Vote because it is the very same Budget Vote that is assisting them to organise their first congress. Thank you very much. [Applause.
Vote agreed to.
Vote No 3 - Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs - put.
Mr W P DOMAN: Chairperson, last year the DA supported this Vote, believing that the new Minister and Deputy Minister would ensure that the department's budget would help to turn around the poor service delivery experienced at the majority of municipalities.
Unfortunately, the general state of municipalities and service delivery are now worse with more than 50 major protests taking place all over the country since the national elections. Twenty-four municipalities are currently under administration and many others are in distress. The vacancy rates at municipalities are not coming down.
Nepotism is rife and incompetent connected cadres are appointed. Exorbitant packages are paid to top officials, resulting in salaries comprising more than 50% of the total expenditure of municipalities.
Skuld aan munisipaliteite, des ondanks gedeeltelike afskrywing, het toegeneem tot R57 miljard. Goedkoop politiekery om stemme te koop, veroorsaak dat die ANC-beheerde rade nie skuld invorder of streng kredietbeheer toepas nie, en veral nie voor verkiesings nie.
Die weerhouding van betaling deur enige een is onwettig en dit is jammer dat die Minister die rassekaart speel deur slegs op wit weerhouding te konsentreer. Die Minister en sy departement het ook nie daarin geslaag om nasionale en provinsionale departmente te kry om hul munisipale rekeninge af te los nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.
Municipal debts, despite partial write-off, has increased to R57 billion. Cheap politicking to buy votes gives rise to the fact that ANC-led councils are not collecting debts or enforcing strict credit control measures, especially not prior to elections.
It is illegal for anyone to withhold payment and it is a pity that the Minister is playing the race card by only focusing on whites withholding payments. The Minister and his department also failed in getting national and provincial departments to settle their municipal accounts.
It became glaringly obvious in recent visits to municipalities by the oversight committees of Parliament that a number of them are misusing the municipal infrastructure grant allocated by this department - and your responsibility - for daily running costs of the municipality.
With the poor state of local government and a department, which according to the Auditor-General's report, had two fraudulent matters amounting to R37,6 million to deal with and which, according to Auditor-General's report, also lacks the evidence to prove its actual performance in terms of free basic service infrastructure and free basic co-ordination, the DA cannot support this Vote. [Applause.
Rev K R J MESHOE: Chairperson, the Empowerdex Service Delivery Index released a damning report on the state of the 231 municipalities for the six district municipalities and six metropolitan municipalities. According to media reports, in some municipalities, less than 20% of households were receiving basic services. Violent protests because of poor service delivery are far too frequent.
The ACDP believes taxpayers and citizens in general do not get value for the money they pay in rates and taxes. Even cities in the homelands and under Bantustan administrations were much cleaner than the filth we see today. Because local government is failing us dismally, the ACDP will not support this Budget Vote.
Mr S L TSENOLI: Chairperson, the ANC will obviously support this Budget Vote. Some of the criticisms that members are raising show that they were listening to the Minister properly during his presentation of the report. His frankness has bowled them over completely.
They are unable to deal with the reality that they have supported the turnaround strategy and that for that to happen government needs to have the money that this Budget provides. What sense does it make, therefore, to object to this programme The fact that they themselves have acknowledged this, goes a long way. It is a very frank assessment of the state of affairs; and it is a big, interesting programme to deal with the issues of local government?
The ANC supports it also because we recognise that the developments that we are dealing with are in no small measure because of the persistence of levels of poverty in our country and the fact that incapacity is partly attributable to that reality. We will not forget the reality that part of the problem is reversing the effects of the past.
The President has announced that his regular interaction with his Ministers is intended to provide support for the weaknesses we are identifying. The reality of programmes that are now emerging, and developing and the signing of outcomes-oriented government programmes are an indication of that commitment. There is no way, given the programme of the fourth Parliament and administration, that those will see the light of day in nine months.
We are obviously hoping that the commitment shown by Salga, the municipalities itself, provincial elements and others to deal with all the problems identified will not be questioned. We hope that members will support those activities to ensure a real turnaround so that people are served better and given quality services to boot. Thank you. [Applause.
AYES - 221: Abram, S; Adams, P E; Baloyi, M R; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, P; Bikani, F C; Bogopane-Zulu, H I; Booi, M S; Borman, G M; Boshigo, D F; Botha, Y R; Burgess, C V; Buthelezi, M G; Carrim, Y I; Cebekhulu, R N; Chauke, H P; Chikunga, L S; Chohan, F I; Coleman, E M; Cronin, J P; Cwele, S C; Diale, L N; Dikgacwi, M M; Dlakude, D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlamini-Zuma, N C; Dlodlo, A; Doidge, G Q M; Dubazana, Z S; Dube, M C; Dunjwa, M L; Fihla, N B; Fransman, M L; Frolick, C T; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gelderblom, J P; Gigaba, K M N; Gina, N; Godongwana, E; Gololo, C L; Gona, M F; Gumede, D M; Gungubele, M; Gxowa, N B; Hajaig, F; Hogan, B A; Huang, S-B; Jacobus, L; Jeffery, J H; Joemat-Pettersson, T M; Johnson, M; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Kholwane, S E; Khumalo, F E; Khunou, N P; Komphela, B M; Koornhof, G W; Kota-Fredericks, Z A; Kubayi, M T; Landers, L T; Lebenya-Ntanzi, S P; Lekgetho, G; Line, H; Lishivha, T E; Luyenge, Z; Maake, J J; Mabasa, X; Mabedla, N R; Mabuza, M C; Madlala, N M; Mafolo, M V; Magagula, V V; Magama, H T; Magau, K R; Magazi, M N; Magwanishe, G; Mahlangu-Nkabinde, G L; Makhuba, H N; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Makwetla, S P; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, J M; Manamela, K B; Manana, M C; Mandela, Z M D; Manganye, J; Manuel, T A; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Martins, B A D; Mashigo, R M; Mashishi, A C; Masilo, J M; Masutha, T M; Mataboge, D K; Mathebe, D H; Mathebe, P M; Mathibela, N F; Matshoba, J M; Maunye, M M; Mavunda, D W; Maziya, A M; Mbalula, F A; Mc Gluwa, J J; Mdakane, M R; Mdladlana, M M S; Mentor, M P; Mfeketo, N C; Mgabadeli, H C; Mjobo, L N; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlambo, E M; Mlangeni, A; Mmusi, S G; Mnguni, P B; Mnisi, N A; Mohale, M C; Mokoena, A D; Molebatsi, M A; Molewa, B E E; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Morutoa, M R; Moss, L N; Motimele, M S; Motshekga, M A; Motshekga, M S; Mpontshane, A M; Msweli, H S; Mthethwa, E M; Mthethwa, E N; Mtshali, E; Mushwana, F F; Muthambi, A F; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndabandaba, L B G; Ndabeni, S T; Ndebele, J S; Ndlovu, V B; Nelson, W J; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngele, N J; Ngwenya, W; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhanha, M A; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njikelana, S J; Njobe, M A A; Nkwinti, G E; Nonkonyana, M; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntshiqela, P; Ntuli, Z C; Nxesi, T W; Nyalungu, R E; Nyanda, M F; Nyekemba, E; Oliphant, G G; Oosthuizen, G C; Pandor, G N M; Petersen-Maduna, P; Phaahla, M J; Phaliso, M N; Pilusa-Mosoane, M E; Mlohele, P; Radebe, B A; Radebe, G S; Radebe, J T; Ramatlhodi, N A; Rantsolase, M A; Saal, G; Scheemann, G D; Segale-Diswai, M J; Selau, G J; Sexwale, T M G; Shiceka, S; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibhida, N N; Sithole, K P; Sithole, S C N; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Smith, V G; Snell, G T; Sogoni, E M; Sonjica, B P; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Suka, L; Sulliman, E M; Sunduza, T B; Surty, M E; Thabethe, E; Thobejane, S G; Thomson, B; Tinto, B; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tsenoli, S L; Tshivhase, T J; Tshwete, P; Tsotetsi, D R; Turok, B; Twala, N M; Vadi, I; Van der Merwe, S C; Van Rooyen, D D; Van Wyk, A; Xaba, P P; Yengeni, L E; Zikalala, C N Z; Zondi, K M; Zulu, B Z.
NOES - 61: Alberts, A D; Boinamo, G G; Bosman, L L; Coetzee, T W; Davidson, I O; De Freitas, M S F; De Lille, P; Doman, W P; Du Toit, N D; Dudley, C; Duncan, P C; Ellis, M J; Farrow, S B; Fritz, A T; George, D T; Greyling, L W; Groenewald, P J; James, W G; Kalyan, S V; Kloppers-Lourens, J C; Kohler-Barnard, D; Kopane, S P; Lamoela, H; Lee, T D; Lorimer, J R B; Lotriet, A; Louw, A; Lovemore, A T; Marais, E J; Masango, S J; Maynier, D J; Mazibuko, L D; Meshoe, K R J; Michael, N W A; Mokgalapa, S; More, E; Morgan, G R; Motau, S C; Mubu, K S; Mulder, C P; Ollis, I M; Rabie, P J; Rabotapi, M W; Robinson, D; Ross, D; Schmidt, H C; Selfe, J; Shinn, M R; Smiles, D C; Steyn, A; Steyn, A C; Swart, M; Swathe, M M; Trollip, R A P; Van Dalen, P; Van der Linde, J J; Van der Walt, D; Van Dyk, S M; Van Schalkwyk, H C; Waters, M; Wenger, M.
ABSTAIN - 1: MacKenzie, G D.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): For future voting, we will request members to still press even though you cannot see whether you have voted or not. You must just press because your names will reflect on the results.
Mr M J ELLIS: Chairperson, it is not the TV screens that are looking blank. It is the faces of the ANC who don't understand the system.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF POLICE: Chairperson, can we have manual counting. [Laughter.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): If you are happy to stay here until late tonight, no problem!
Vote No 4 - Home Affairs - put.
Mrs C DUDLEY: Chair, hon Minister and hon members, the ACDP is very concerned about the condition of migrant women and children, especially in the border areas of Musina.
Despite promises, government appears not to have put any budget or programme in place to cope with these people. Migrant orphans are sometimes put in children's homes, but many are kept separate from South African school-going children for months while waiting for the Zimbabwean authorities to confirm their status, which can take years. There are also reports that sexual attacks on migrant women are increasing in these areas.
As Zimbabwean passports cost the equivalent of about R2 000 a passport, this is outside the reach of any average person, and thousands of desperate people in Zimbabwe will continue to cross the border at illegal crossing points, and without papers.
This is a pressing problem and we urge government to address it in a compassionate manner. Local residents say that these people are treated in a way that one would not want to treat animals. These are people like us - our neighbours.
The ACDP urges the Minister to focus urgent attention on these matters. The ACDP will however be supporting this Budget Vote. Thank you.
Mr J J MC GLUWA: Chairperson, while the ID supports this Vote, we would like to register our concern about the unanswered questions on the Who Am I Online forensic audit report as well as the smart card project.
The Department of Home Affairs received the forensic report of the investigation into corruption on these matters on 10 February 2009. South Africa wants to know what is going on, because there is ongoing confusion around these matters and it is our request that they are dealt with as a matter of urgency. Thank you.
Mr B A D MARTINS: Chairperson, I rise on behalf of the ANC to express confidence in the manner in which the Department of Home Affairs is addressing the challenges it faces. The issues raised with regard to the Who am I Online and the smart card project have been raised several times in our portfolio committee, and they are issues that the department is currently dealing with.
I also wish to express confidence in the manner in which the department is carrying out its mandate as the protector and as the department responsible for the integrity of citizenship in this country. The ANC supports Vote No 4. [Applause.
Vote No 5 - International Relations and Co-operation - put.
Rev K R J MESHOE: Chairperson, even though the ACDP will be supporting Vote No 5, we nevertheless wish to appeal to the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation to speak out and condemn the unending kidnappings and brutal rape of women and children in East Congo. The reports that are coming from that region are heartbreaking and shocking and demand the urgent attention of different governments, including our very own.
We further call on the hon Minister to use all available channels to prevail upon the African Union to do more to protect the most vulnerable women and children in East Congo. The ACDP will support this Vote. Thank you.
Mr T W NXESI: Chairperson, the ANC supports this Vote. Thank you. [Applause.
Vote No 6 - Public Works - put and agreed to.
Mr G G OLIPHANT: Chairperson, thank you very much. We stand here as the ANC to support Vote No 6 and we are happy that Cope has realised that they have to be part of this support. The Department of Public Works has made tremendous progress in addressing the key priorities of government and much more needs to be done.
We are satisfied that the internal capacity has improved drastically in the department, and therefore the issues that were raised by the Auditor-General are being addressed as well.
The implementation of our actual programme, the Expanded Public Works Programme, has all the ingredients for success and needs to be accelerated. Outstanding matters in the built environment also need serious engagement; this includes the registration and grading of contractors, specially emerging contractors; proper accreditation and experiential training for professionals, particularly in the engineering discipline; plus proper certification of building materials for good quality control. So the resources that have been allocated for public works will take us a long way in achieving all the issues that have been raised in the previous engagements. The ANC supports this Budget Vote, thank you very much.
Vote No 7 - Women, Children and People with Disabilities - put.
Mrs D ROBINSON: Chair, the DA cannot support this Budget Vote as we believe it's hopelessly underfunded for the enormous task of providing a special focus on the needs of vulnerable groups such as women, children and persons with disabilities.
In creating this Ministry, the size of the government has been increased but it is not increasing the level of service to those who most desperately needs it. The programmes for the vulnerable groups have been allocated a mere R7,1 million respectively, which constitutes 0,01% of the country's Budget. Persons with disabilities continue to be marginalised and reduced to the level of second-class citizens.
Our Constitution guarantees equal rights and opportunities for all people including those living with disabilities. To level the playing field special attention and funding are needed. The funds allocated to creating a new Ministry with all the trappings, could be allocated more successfully to the Department of Social Development, which actually provides the dedicated services needed. There is no need for duplication; expenditure needs to be efficient, effective and focused.
The creation of this Ministry was meant to signal a decisive change in the status of these vulnerable groups, but I fear it was simply a matter of expediency and window-dressing.
I call upon government for a change of heart. You need to put your money where your mouth is. The DA objects to this Budget Vote.
Mrs M A A NJOBE: Chairperson, Cope opposes the Vote for Women, Children and People with Disabilities. We do so with a very heavy heart as we believe very strongly that this department needs all the support it can get to advance the lot of women, children and people with disabilities.
Unfortunately, as everyone can see, this is not the case, if anything, the advent of this department has set back the strides which we were making in respect of gender parity and women issues.
This department is all cosmetic; it does not answer the needs of women, children and people with disabilities. Because we stand for the advancement of women, children and people with disabilities, we know that this department will be more of an impediment rather than providing assistance. We will not support this Vote for as long as it remains constituted the way it is. [Interjections.
Let me finish. Irrespective of the chicken with or without a head, according to the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, Cope will not support this Budget Vote. [Applause.
Mrs C DUDLEY: Thank you, Chair. We note the priorities outlined by the department in relation to improved performance monitoring and evaluation; improved access to rights and developmental opportunities for women, children, people with disabilities; and the department's focus on the protection of the rights of persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
It is not clear, however, how existing priorities are specifically aimed at supporting and protecting family life.
Family life is critical for delivery on the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. Strengthening your family structures is therefore an important element of successful delivery on the rights of persons in these vulnerable groups.
The ACDP believes that the people of South Africa would like to see more being done to prioritise this important aspect. There are approximately 18,3 million children living in South Africa; the allocated budget for the children's programme amounts to an expenditure of R2,65c per child in South Africa. This makes it an enormous challenge. Also, many doubt that figure and say it is much lower.
R7,1 million has also been allocated to meet the challenge of existing disability targets as well as for finalising the draft national disability policy.
The 2070 community survey indicates there are an estimated 1,9 million people living with a disability in South Africa; this constitutes approximately 4% of the total population - another enormous challenge.
In June 2009, the Minister referred to an immediate deliverable of the department being the establishment of the fund for women's empowerment, which is aimed at enabling them to start their own businesses and assisting NGOs in civil society in the undertaking of women's empowerment programmes.
The ACDP would like to know if this fund has, in fact, been established and what financial resources have or will be dedicated to it. Taking into account the limited financial support for the human resources capacity of the new department and the enormous scope of the mandate [Time expired.
Ms B THOMSON: Thank you, Chair. The ANC supports Vote No 7. However, as the ANC we declare that we are dissatisfied with the limited budgetary allocation to the Department of Women, Children and Persons living with Disability, as it results in limitations on the scope of programmes of the department. Notwithstanding these concerns, we acknowledged that this is not enough reason not to support the Budget Vote.
We also note that the department is new and requires significant support and increased resources for it to progress and deliver on its mandate. We, therefore, as the ANC support Vote No 7.
AYES - 225: Abram, S; Adams, P E; Alberts, A D; Baloyi, M R; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, P; Bikani, F C; Bogopane-Zulu, H I; Booi, M S; Borman, G M; Boshigo, D F; Botha, Y R; Burgess, C V; Buthelezi, M G; Carrim, Y I; Cebekhulu, R N; Chauke, H P; Chikunga, L S; Chohan, F I; Coleman, E M; Cronin, J P; Cwele, S C; De Lille, P; Diale, L N; Dikgacwi, M M; Dlakude , D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlamini-Zuma, N C; Dlodlo, A; Doidge, G Q M; Dubazana, Z S; Dube, M C; Dudley, C; Dunjwa, M L; Fihla, N B; Fransman, M L; Frolick, C T; Fubbs, J L; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gelderblom, J P; Gigaba, K M N; Gina, N; Godongwana, E; Gololo, C L; Gona, M F; Groenewald, P J; Gumede, D M; Gungubele, M; Gxowa, N B; Hajaig, F; Hogan, B A; Hoosen, M H; Huang, S-B; Jacobus, L; Jeffery, J H; Joemat-Pettersson, T M; Johnson, M; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Kholwane, S E; Khumalo, F E; Khunou, N P; Komphela, B M; Koornhof, G W; Kota-Fredericks, Z A; Kubayi, M T; Landers, L T; Lebenya-Ntanzi, S P; Lekgetho, G; Line, H; Lishivha, T E; Luyenge, Z; Maake, J J; Mabasa, X; Mabedla, N R; Mabuza, M C; Madlala, N M; Mafolo, M V; Magagula, V V; Magama, H T; Magau, K R; Magazi, M N; Magwanishe, G; Mahlangu-Nkabinde, G L; Makhuba, H N; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Makwetla, S P; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, J M; Manamela, K B; Manana, M C; Mandela, Z M D; Manganye, J; Manuel, T A; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Martins, B A D; Mashigo, R M; Mashishi, A C; Masilo, J M; Masutha, T M; Mataboge, D K; Mathebe, D H; Mathebe, P M; Mathibela, N F; Matshoba, J M; Maunye, M M; Mavunda, D W; Maziya, A M; Mbalula, F A; Mc Gluwa, J J; Mdakane, M R; Mdladlana, M M S; Mentor, M P; Meshoe, K R J; Mfeketo, N C; Mgabadeli, H C; Mjobo, L N; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlambo, E M; Mlangeni, A; Mmusi, S G; Mnisi, N A; Mohale, M C; Mokoena, A D; Molebatsi, M A; Molewa, B E E; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Morutoa, M R; Moss, L N; Motimele, M S; Motshekga, M A; Motshekga, M S; Mpontshane, A M; Msweli, H S; Mthethwa, E M; Mthethwa, E N; Mtshali, E; Mulder, C P; Mushwana, F F; Muthambi, A F; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndabandaba, L B G; Ndabeni, S T; Ndebele, J S; Ndlovu, V B; Nel, A C; Nelson, W J; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngele, N J; Ngwenya, W; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njikelana, S J; Nkwinti, G E; Nonkonyana, M; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntuli, Z C; Nxesi, T W; Nyalungu, R E; Nyanda, M F; Nyekemba, E; Oliphant, G G; Oosthuizen, G C; Pandor, G N M; Petersen-Maduna, P; Phaahla, M J; Phaliso, M N; Pilusa-Mosoane, M E; Radebe, B A; Radebe, G S; Radebe, J T; Ramatlhodi, N A; Rantsolase, M A; Saal, G; Scheemann, G D; Segale-Diswai, M J; Selau, G J; Sexwale, T M G; Shiceka, S; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibhida, N N; Sisulu, M V; Sithole, K P; Sithole, S C N; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Smith, V G; Snell, G T; Sogoni, E M; Sonjica, B P; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Suka, L; Sulliman, E M; Sunduza, T B; Surty, M E; Thabethe, E; Thobejane, S G; Thomson, B; Tinto, B; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tsenoli, S L; Tshivhase, T J; Tshwete, P; Tsotetsi, D R; Turok, B; Twala, N M; Vadi, I; Van der Merwe, S C; Van Rooyen, D D; Van Wyk, A; Xaba, P P; Yengeni, L E; Zondi, K M; Zulu, B Z.
NOES - 62: Boinamo, G G; Bosman, L L; Coetzee, T W; Davidson, I O; De Freitas, M S F; Doman, W P; Du Toit, N D; Duncan, P C; Ellis, M J; Farrow, S B; Fritz, A T; George, D T; James, W G; Kalyan, S V; Kloppers-Lourens, J C; Kohler-Barnard, D; Kopane, S P; Lamoela, H; Lee, T D; Lorimer, J R B; Lotriet, A; Louw, A; Lovemore, A T; MacKenzie, G D; Marais, E J; Marais, S J F; Masango, S J; Maynier, D J; Mazibuko, L D; Michael, N W A; Mnguni, P B; Mokgalapa, S; More, E; Morgan, G R; Motau, S C; Mubu, K S; Nhanha, M A; Njobe, M A A; Ntshiqela, P; Ollis, I M; Mbhele, P; Rabie, P J; Rabotapi, M W; Robinson, D; Ross, D; Schmidt, H C; Selfe, J; Shinn, M R; Smiles, D C; Steyn, A; Steyn, A C; Swart, M; Swathe, M M; Trollip, R A P; Van Dalen, P; Van der Linde, J J; Van der Walt, D; Van Dyk, S M; Van Schalkwyk, H C; Waters, M; Wenger, M; Zikalala, C N Z.
Vote No 8 - Government Communication and Information System - put and agreed to.
Vote No 9 - National Treasury - put and agreed to.
Vote No 10 - Public Enterprises - put.
Dr S M VAN DYK: Voorsitter, die DA is bly dat die begroting van die Departement van Openbare Ondernemings, ten opsigte van oordragte na openbare ondernemings, afgeneem het vanaf R2 miljard verlede jaar, na net R138 miljoen vanjaar.
Die DA is egter van mening dat te veel geld na openbare ondernemings oorgedra word. Baie van die openbare ondernemings soos SAL, Denel en Eskom kan nie finansieel van die grond af kom nie, en daarom het daar 'n spreekwoord onstaan wat na openbare ondernemings as "bakhandstaan ondernemings" verwys, omdat hulle van die belastingbetaler afhanklik is vir finansiële oorlewing.
Een van die groot redes vir hierdie swak prestasie is, eerstens, omdat die Departement van Openbare Ondernemings nie daarin slaag om die prestasies van openbare ondernemings behoorlik te monitor nie. Die tweede rede vir hierdie swak prestasie is omdat die departement nie daarin slaag om die staatsaandeelhouer bestuursfunksie suksesvol toe te pas nie. Dit plaas geweldige druk op die belastingbetaler.
Die DA sê al lankal dat sekere openbare ondernemings soos SAL geprivatiseer behoort te word om hulle ekonomies onafhanklik te maak. Minister Manuel, sekere openbare ondernemings soos Denel, wat reeds bankrot is, behoort gelikwideer te word. Ander openbare ondernemings soos, onder andere, die South African Forestry Company Ltd, Safcol, wat selfstandig kan bestaan, behoort verkoop te word.
Dit is onaanvaarbaar dat die departement nou die belastingbetaler gebruik om in te staan vir 'n funksie waarin hy faal, en dit is om die ekonomie deur openbare ondernemings te probeer bestuur. Daarom sal die DA teen hierdie begrotingspos stem. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.
Dr S M VAN DYK: Chairperson, the DA is glad that the budget of the Department of Public Enterprises, in respect of transfers to public enterprises, decreased from R2 billion last year to a mere R138 million this year.
However, the DA is of the opinion that too much money is being transferred to public enterprises. Many of the public enterprises such as SAA, Denel and Eskom cannot get off the ground financially and, therefore, a saying has developed referring to public enterprises as "bakhandstaan ondernemings", as they are dependent on the taxpayer for financial survival.
One of the main reasons for this poor performance is, firstly, that the Department of Public Enterprises is unable to monitor the performance of public enterprises adequately. Secondly, this poor performance is also due to the department's failure to implement the state-owned management function successfully. This places enormous pressure on the taxpayer.
The DA has been saying for a long time that certain public enterprises, such as SAA, ought to be privatised in order to make them economically independent. Minister Manuel, certain public enterprises such as Denel, who is already bankrupt, ought to be liquidated. Other public enterprises such as the South African Forestry Company Ltd, Safcol, that can exist independently, ought to be sold.
It is unacceptable that the department now makes use of the taxpayer to take responsibility for a function in which he has failed, namely trying to manage the economy through public enterprises. Hence, the DA will not support this Budget Vote. Thank you.
Mr M A NHANHA: Hon Chairperson, I have decided to resign and go back to my backbench because the Chief Whip of the Majority Party has shot down my ambition of being the head of this party one day! [Laughter.] Besides, we are headless chickens. So, in protest, I have returned to my seat.
Through state-owned enterprises, SOEs, the Department of Public Enterprises is plagued by issues of mismanagement, negligence, corruption and ignorance, to name only a few. The Minister is trying to smooth-talk issues that are on the table when she should be taking the bull by the horns in addressing these pressing issues that continue to threaten the survival of our SOEs.
Our leaders, in essence, and unintentionally at times, advocate stealing from the poor to give big packages to elite officials at the expense of poor workers. This government shows it is soft on mismanagement and below-par performance by giving elite officials big packages for not performing or for leading SOEs to the brink of bankruptcy.
Every one of us should remember that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. South Africans are sick and tired of excuses for why SOEs are not performing and why money is just being thrown at them as though there is plenty where it comes from. However, Cope will support this Vote. I thank you. [Applause.
Adv A de W ALBERTS: Mr Chair, we would like to focus specifically on Eskom in this regard.
Weens Eskom se gebrek aan beplanning; die verhoging wat toegestaan is voordat die geïntegreerde energieplan gereed is; korrupsie en wanbestuur in Eskom; en die verraad van Suid-Afrikaners se verwagtinge vir energiesekuriteit, stem ons teen hierdie begrotingspos. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.
[Owing to Eskom's lack of planning; the increase that was approved before the integrated energy plan was ready; corruption and mismanagement in Eskom; and the betrayal of South Africans' expectations for energy security, we do not support this Budget Vote.
Ms M P MENTOR: Hon Chairperson, the ANC supports the Budget Vote. Yesterday, the figures for the GDP for the quarter were released for the South African economy, and it stand at 4,6%. This surprised everybody. In fact, the Minister of Finance had projected this to be 2,7%.
This success is because of state-owned enterprises as the backbone of the economy. [Applause.] If they were not performing, we would not have realised the 4,6% growth, which is actually one of the highest for the quarter amongst the world's economies. [Applause.
A few days ago, the International Monetary Fund, IMF, commended the South African government for having handled the world economic recession very well and having led South Africans unscathed out of recession. The SOEs were again central to that success - Eskom in particular. Transnet and SAA, which are responsible for the energy that is so necessary for growth as well as transportation of people and goods, were at the centre of this success that the IMF was praising South Africa and South Africans for.
These two indicators show that the Department of Public Enterprises and South Africa, as well as SOEs themselves, are on track and are doing well.
I need to educate the opposition over and over again on three issues. You are not throwing money into SOEs when you do equity injection. When you own an asset, you have the responsibility and obligation to do equity injections into your own assets. The SOEs are assets owned by the South African public, and they are held in trust by the state. [Interjections.] [Time expired.] [Applause.
AYES - 222: Abram, S; Adams, P E; Baloyi, M R; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, P; Bikani, F C; Bogopane-Zulu, H I; Booi, M S; Borman, G M; Boshigo, D F; Botha, Y R; Burgess, C V; Buthelezi, M G; Carrim, Y I; Cebekhulu, R N; Chauke, H P; Chikunga, L S; Chohan, F I; Coleman, E M; Cronin, J P; Cwele, S C; De Lille, P; Diale, L N; Dlakude, D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlamini-Zuma, N C; Dlodlo, A; Doidge, G Q M; Dubazana, Z S; Dube, M C; Dudley, C; Dunjwa, M L; Fihla, N B; Fransman, M L; Frolick, C T; Fubbs, J L; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gelderblom, J P; Gigaba, K M N; Gina, N; Godongwana, E; Gololo, C L; Gona, M F; Gumede, D M; Gungubele, M; Gxowa, N B; Hajaig, F; Hogan, B A; Huang, S-B; Jacobus, L; Jeffery, J H; Joemat-Pettersson, T M; Johnson, M; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Kholwane, S E; Khumalo, F E; Khunou, N P; Komphela, B M; Koornhof, G W; Kota-Fredericks, Z A; Kubayi, M T; Landers, L T; Lebenya-Ntanzi, S P; Lekgetho, G; Line, H; Lishivha, T E; Luyenge, Z; Maake, J J; Mabasa, X; Mabedla, N R; Mabuza, M C; Madlala, N M; Mafolo, M V; Magagula, V V; Magama, H T; Magau, K R; Magazi, M N; Magwanishe, G; Mahlangu-Nkabinde, G L; Makhuba, H N; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Makwetla, S P; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, J M; Manamela, K B; Manana, M C; Mandela, Z M D; Manganye, J; Manuel, T A; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Martins, B A D; Mashigo, R M; Mashishi, A C; Masilo, J M; Masutha, T M; Mataboge, D K; Mathebe, D H; Mathebe, P M; Mathibela, N F; Matshoba, J M; Maunye, M M; Mavunda, D W; Maziya, A M; Mbalula, F A; Mdakane, M R; Mdladlana, M M S; Mentor, M P; Meshoe, K R J; Mfeketo, N C; Mgabadeli, H C; Mjobo, L N; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlambo, E M; Mlangeni, A; Mmusi, S G; Mnisi, N A; Mohale, M C; Mokoena, A D; Molebatsi, M A; Molewa, B E E; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Morutoa, M R; Moss, L N; Motimele, M S; Motshekga, M A; Motshekga, M S; Mpontshane, A M; Mthethwa, E M; Mthethwa, E N; Mtshali, E; Mushwana, F F; Muthambi, A F; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndabandaba, L B G; Ndabeni, S T; Ndebele, J S; Ndlovu, V B; Nel, A C; Nelson, W J; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngele, N J; Ngwenya, W; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhanha, M A; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njikelana, S J; Njobe, M A A; Nkwinti, G E; Nonkonyana, M; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntshiqela, P; Ntuli, Z C; Nxesi, T W; Nyalungu, R E; Nyanda, M F; Nyekemba, E; Oliphant, G G; Oosthuizen, G C; Pandor, G N M; Petersen-Maduna, P; Phaahla, M J; Phaliso, M N; Pilusa-Mosoane, M E; Mbhele, P; Radebe, B A; Radebe, G S; Radebe, J T; Ramatlhodi, N A; Rantsolase, M A; Saal, G; Scheemann, G D; Segale-Diswai, M J; Selau, G J; Sexwale, T M G; Shiceka, S; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibhida, N N; Sisulu, M V; Sithole, K P; Sithole, S C N; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Smith, V G; Snell, G T; Sonjica, B P; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Suka, L; Sulliman, E M; Sunduza, T B; Surty, M E; Thabethe, E; Thobejane, S G; Thomson, B; Tinto, B; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tsenoli, S L; Tshivhase, T J; Tshwete, P; Tsotetsi, D R; Turok, B; Twala, N M; Vadi, I; Van der Merwe, S C; Van Rooyen, D D; Van Wyk, A; Xaba, P P; Yengeni, L E; Zikalala, C N Z; Zondi, K M; Zulu, B Z.
NOES - 58: Alberts, A D; Boinamo, G G; Bosman, L L; Coetzee, T W; Davidson, I O; De Freitas, M S F; Doman, W P; Du Toit, N D; Duncan, P C; Ellis, M J; Farrow, S B; Fritz, A T; George, D T; Groenewald, P J; James, W G; Kalyan, S V; Kloppers-Lourens, J C; Kohler-Barnard, D; Kopane, S P; Lamoela, H; Lee, T D; Lorimer, J R B; Lotriet, A; Louw, A; Lovemore, A T; Marais, E J; Marais, S J F; Masango, S J; Maynier, D J; Mazibuko, L D; Michael, N W A; Mokgalapa, S; More, E; Morgan, G R; Motau, S C; Mubu, K S; Mulder, C P; Ollis, I M; Rabie, P J; Rabotapi, M W; Robinson, D; Ross, D; Schmidt, H C; Selfe, J; Shinn, M R; Smiles, D C; Steyn, A; Steyn, A C; Swart, M; Swathe, M M; Trollip, R A P; Van Dalen, P; Van der Linde, J J; Van der Walt, D; Van Dyk, S M; Van Schalkwyk, H C; Waters, M; Wenger, M.
Vote No 11 - Public Service and Administration - put.
Dr H C VAN SCHALKWYK: Chairperson, the Public Service Commission, a Chapter 10 institution, has always had its own budget. However, this year, without any reason, its budget has been removed and it now falls directly under the department, as if it were one of its own programmes. The DA believes that this was a step in the wrong direction and that it could compromise the independence of the Public Service Commission.
This proud institution has a record of executing its responsibilities without fear or favour. This must be protected at all costs.
I must add that this morning, at a portfolio committee meeting, the Minister gave the assurance that this was only an interim arrangement, which will be revisited in the Medium-Term Budget in October.
At this stage, all I can say to the Minister is that seeing is believing. Therefore, at this stage, the DA cannot support the Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.
Mrs J C MOLOI-MOROPA: Chairperson, in support of the Budget Vote, the ANC will continue emphasising the significance of the Public Service Commission's existence as an important organ of oversight.
The Public Service Commission's Vote allocation was not correct in the past arrangement and is still not correct currently, so there is nothing new in this arrangement. This provides us with a good opportunity to correctly locate the Public Service Commission in a position that will assert its independency completely.
The process has already been started and will be concluded quite soon. The Minister, the presiding officers, and the committee, together with the Public Service Commission itself, have started the process of allocating this important organ to the correct structure. In the committee we have continued to engage objectively, constructively and openly on these matters.
Any other matter that comes before us will be confronted quite constructively. We therefore don't say that it was correct in the past or that it is correct now, but we are actually saying that this has provided an opportunity for us to deal with it correctly, and not for grandstanding politically. I thank you. [Applause.
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance dissenting).
Vote No 12 - Statistics South Africa - put and agreed to.
Vote No 13 - Arts and Culture - put.
Dr A LOTRIET: Chairperson, although the DA supports the Arts and Culture budget, it is important that notice is taken of the following matters.
The first issue concerns the situation of South African artists. It is a major reason for concern that the transfers to the National Arts Council have been reduced by R15 million in 2010-11. However, what makes it even worse is the reason for the cut in the budget. This is because of the council's large accumulated surpluses, mainly due to unallocated grants over a number of years. This is totally unacceptable.
A number of performing arts are literally on the verge of closing down. Emergency steps have to be taken by the performers themselves to save their arts. This is why the National Arts Council has not been able to allocate the funds available for this purpose.
Secondly, the Investing in Culture programme is a reason for concern. This programme has the aim of providing empowerment opportunities for unemployed people. However, the reality is that the department is underspending on this programme. Surely, this is not on the interest of the people who have to benefit from this programme. Therefore, it should be a main priority with proper utilisation of the allocated funds.
The priority should not be international trips on which there seems to be overspending. It is clear that the department has a challenge in terms of financial planning. In this regard, it has to be stated that although the efforts in trying to root out corruption in the department are commendable, the department will have to ensure that the financial challenges are addressed and that the suspension of officials does not impact negatively on service delivery.
The recent court ruling on language legislation that has to be complied with within two years, does have specific implications for the department and specifically also for the budget. Again, the language programme has the smallest allocation, which is not sufficient. In the light of the language ruling, provision will have to be made to cater for this process. This is also a matter which will have to be taken into account by different government departments in future, especially where there is direct service delivery to people. [Applause.
Muf T J TSHIVHASE: Mulangadzulo, ANC i khou tikedza hoyu mugaganyagwama nga mbilu yayo yoṱhe. Musi ro thetshelesa vha ḽihoro ḽikangi vha tshi khou ḓi ambela zwenezwo zwidayonyana zwavho zwi sa ri tshithu, ri tou zwi ḓivha zwauri pfunzo yo rangaho phanḓa vhana vhashu vha fhano Afurika Tshipembe, ndi ya uri hu vhe na mvelaphanḓa kha vhathu vhashu vha mahayani, zwihulwanesa ro sedza vhushai havho na zwibveledzwa zwavho.
Vha ḽihoro ḽa DA vha khou sokou ḓi ambela ngeno vha tshi tou zwi ḓivha zwavhuḓi zwauri zwithu zwoṱhe zwo vha zwi zwanḓani zwavho. Ndi lwa u tou thoma vhutshiloni ha vharema vha tshi vhonala-vho vha tshi vho kona u ḓiitela zwiṅwe zwithu. Hezwo zwithu zwi pfi mvelaphanḓa ngauri u rangani zwo vha zwi siho. Ho vha hu tshi sedzwa vhone vhe vhoṱhe nahone vha tshi tou nga ndi vhone vhathu vhe vhoṱhe.
ANC na riṋe vha Muhasho wa Vhutsila na Mvelele, ri ri kha i khidzhane i tshi ya phanḓa. Mvelaphanḓa i khou ṱoḓea vhathuni vha hashu u itela uri vha kone-vho u vha na zwine vha vhanḓa. Musi vhaendelamashango vha tshi ṱuwa, vha ṱuwa vho kukuṱa zwithu zwoṱhe vha tshi tou ḓiphina. Zwi ḓi nga na henei bola ine ya khou ḓa, vha ḓo vha vha tshi khou mvumvusiwa nga vhathu vha hashu lwa u tou thoma, ngauri hezwo zwithu zwo vha zwi si ho. Zwino ri khou pfa ri tshi ḓihudza vhukuma. ANC i khou tikedza hoyu mugaganyagwama nga nungo dzayo dzoṱhe. [U vhanda zwanḓa.] (Translation of Tshivenḓa speech follows.
Mrs T J TSHIVHASE: Mr Speaker, the ANC supports this Budget Vote wholeheartedly. Listening to the opposition party speaking about their useless bylaws, we know that the education that our children in South Africa are receiving is meant for the development of our rural communities, especially when we look at their poverty and their resources.
The DA is just talking knowing very well that everything was in their hands. It is for the first time in the history of black people that they are seen doing certain things by themselves. This is what is called development because it wasn't there before. The whole focus used to be on them alone as if they were the only people.
The ANC and us, the Department of Arts and Culture, say let us keep doing what we are doing. Development is needed in our communities to ensure that they can also have something for themselves. When tourists leave, they leave with many things and are happy. Even with the soccer tournament that is to be hosted, they will be entertained by our people for the first time, which has never happened before. We feel so proud now. The ANC fully supports this Budget Vote. [Applause.
Vote No 14 - Basic Education - put.
Dr J C KLOPPERS-LOURENS: Chairperson, the DA does not support the Budget Vote for the following reasons. Firstly, not enough emphasis has been placed on learners with special educational needs or the in-service training of and assistance to teachers to provide for mother tongue education for learners from Grade R to 6.
Secondly, not enough emphasis has been placed on the provision of a library and librarian for each school in our country. The amount required is R2,2 billion per year for a period of 10 years.
Thirdly, the DA is also concerned about the money that was allocated to the department for workbooks for Grades R to 6 when the adjustment appropriation was conducted in October 2009.
These books will no longer be published by publishing companies. The tender was cancelled in December 2009. It was announced at the recent portfolio committee meeting that these books are currently being developed by the department. How will the approved sum of R254 million be spent Will it be more of a cost-saving exercise Will it be done according to regional specifications Will there be a surplus We need answers?
Fourthly, money spent on teachers' salaries is wasted when those teachers do not attend schools due to union activities without the department taking action.
Finally, given the dismal state of education in our country, it is certain that there is not enough money in this budget for basic education; more money is required to meet the many neglected needs.
The DA provided for these needs in its alternative budget by adding an additional R1,4 billion to the amount appropriated. It is possible to put more money in education. If government's overall spending programme was more efficient [Time expired.
Ms F I CHOHAN: Chairperson, I assume that when we speak in this House, in particular, that everyone here is motivated by the desire to realise a successful and equitable education system. The portfolio committee is currently engaged in public hearings. And Chairperson, we have engaged South Africans from all walks of life, be it teachers, principals, experts or ordinary parents and learners.
Two things have become quite clear in our engagements. Firstly, everybody acknowledges that transformation of the education system is a process and not an event.
Secondly, teachers are central to the success of the education system. The clarion call to us as public representatives is to do everything we can to support these professionals when they go about their normal duties and their noble task. They are teachers but they are also social workers, psychologists and caregivers. The burden on teachers is incredible.
Therefore, as we are in this House, to sit here and say that we will vote against this budget, is really a disgrace. And I hope that the DA will not be going out to our schools and lying to our teachers that they support them because the truth of the matter is that they are voting against this budget.
The DA is saying government must not spend R80 million on new equipment and workshops for our technical schools to help teachers to teach the subjects that they offer. We must not spend R750 million on workbooks for the poorest of our schools. There is no person with integrity that cannot support this Budget Vote, and we do! Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): I now call for the vote. Those in favour say "Aye".
Hon MEMBERS: Aye!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): Are there any objections No objections; therefore the vote is agreed to. [Interjections.?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): I did not hear the Noes.
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Chairman, we said it very loudly; very loudly indeed. I now have to be little bit concerned about your hearing, sir. [Laughter.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): Are you raising an objection?
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Chairman, I want to do far more than that once you put it to the vote because certainly what the hon Chohan has said cannot go unquestioned. [Interjections.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): I did not understand you. Should I put the question now?
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Chairman, we would be remarkably glad and obliged to you, sir, if you would put the question now.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): Ok, thank you very much. It is very clear now. Those in favour will say "Aye".
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): I think the Ayes have it.
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Chairman, before you don't hear me, sir, I want to say very loudly indeed, the DA calls for a division.
AYES - 219: Abram, S; Adams, P E; Baloyi, M R; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, P; Bikani, F C; Bogopane-Zulu, H I; Booi, M S; Borman, G M; Boshigo, D F; Botha, Y R; Burgess, C V; Buthelezi, M G; Carrim, Y I; Cebekhulu, R N; Chauke, H P; Chikunga, L S; Chohan, F I; Coleman, E M; Cronin, J P; Cwele, S C; De Lille, P; Diale, L N; Dikgacwi, M M; Dlakude , D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlamini-Zuma, N C; Dlodlo, A; Doidge, G Q M; Dubazana, Z S; Dube, M C; Dudley, C; Dunjwa, M L; Fihla, N B; Fransman, M L; Frolick, C T; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gelderblom, J P; Gigaba, K M N; Gina, N; Godongwana, E; Gololo, C L; Gona, M F; Gumede, D M; Gungubele, M; Gxowa, N B; Hajaig, F; Hogan, B A; Hoosen, M H; Huang, S-B; Jacobus, L; Jeffery, J H; Joemat-Pettersson, T M; Johnson, M; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Kholwane, S E; Khumalo, F E; Khunou, N P; Komphela, B M; Koornhof, G W; Kota-Fredericks, Z A; Kubayi, M T; Landers, L T; Lebenya-Ntanzi, S P; Lekgetho, G; Line, H; Lishivha, T E; Luyenge, Z; Maake, J J; Mabasa, X; Mabedla, N R; Mabuza, M C; Madlala, N M; Mafolo, M V; Magagula, V V; Magama, H T; Magau, K R; Magazi, M N; Magwanishe, G; Mahlangu-Nkabinde, G L; Makhuba, H N; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Makwetla, S P; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, J M; Manamela, K B; Manana, M C; Manganye, J; Manuel , T A; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Martins, B A D; Mashigo, R M; Mashishi, A C; Masilo, J M; Masutha, T M; Mataboge, D K; Mathebe, D H; Mathebe, P M; Mathibela, N F; Matshoba, J M; Maunye, M M; Mavunda, D W; Maziya, A M; Mbalula, F A; Mc Gluwa, J J; Mdakane, M R; Mdladlana, M M S; Mentor, M P; Meshoe, K R J; Mfeketo, N C; Mgabadeli, H C; Mjobo, L N; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlambo, E M; Mlangeni, A; Mmusi, S G; Mnisi, N A; Mohale, M C; Mokoena, A D; Molebatsi, M A; Molewa, B E E; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Morutoa, M R; Moss, L N; Motimele, M S; Motshekga, M A; Motshekga, M S; Mpontshane, A M; Msweli, H S; Mthethwa, E M; Mthethwa, E N; Mtshali, E; Mushwana, F F; Muthambi, A F; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndabandaba, L B G; Ndabeni, S T; Ndebele, J S; Ndlovu, V B; Nel, A C; Nelson, W J; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngele, N J; Ngwenya, W; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njobe, M A A; Nkwinti, G E; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntshiqela, P; Ntuli, Z C; Nxesi, T W; Nyalungu, R E; Nyanda, M F; Nyekemba, E; Oliphant, G G; Oosthuizen, G C; Pandor, G N M; Petersen-Maduna, P; Phaahla, M J; Phaliso, M N; Pilusa-Mosoane, M E; Radebe, B A; Radebe, G S; Radebe, J T; Ramatlhodi, N A; Rantsolase, M A; Saal, G; Scheemann, G D; Segale-Diswai, M J; Selau, G J; Shiceka, S; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibhida, N N; Sisulu, M V; Sithole, K P; Sithole, S C N; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Smith, V G; Snell, G T; Sogoni, E M; Sonjica, B P; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Suka, L; Sulliman, E M; Sunduza, T B; Surty, M E; Thabethe, E; Thobejane, S G; Thomson, B; Tinto, B; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tsenoli, S L; Tshwete, P; Tsotetsi, D R; Turok, B; Twala, N M; Vadi, I; Van der Merwe, S C; Van Rooyen, D D; Van Wyk, A; Xaba, P P; Yengeni, L E; Zikalala, C N Z; Zondi, K M; Zulu, B Z.
NOES - 56: Alberts, A D; Boinamo, G G; Bosman, L L; Coetzee, T W; Davidson, I O; De Freitas, M S F; Doman, W P; Du Toit, N D; Duncan, P C; Ellis, M J; Farrow, S B; George, D T; Groenewald, P J; James, W G; Kalyan, S V; Kloppers-Lourens, J C; Kohler-Barnard, D; Kopane, S P; Lamoela, H; Lee, T D; Lorimer, J R B; Lotriet, A; Louw, A; Lovemore, A T; Marais, E J; Marais, S J F; Masango, S J; Maynier, D J; Mazibuko, L D; Michael, N W A; Mokgalapa, S; More, E; Motau, S C; Mubu, K S; Mulder, C P; Ollis, I M; Rabie, P J; Rabotapi, M W; Robinson, D; Ross, D; Schmidt, H C; Selfe, J; Shinn, M R; Smiles, D C; Steyn, A; Steyn, A C; Swart, M; Swathe, M M; Trollip, R A P; Van Dalen, P; Van der Linde, J J; Van der Walt, D; Van Dyk, S M; Van Schalkwyk, H C; Waters, M; Wenger, M.
Vote No 15 - Health - put.
Mr M WATERS: Chairperson, the DA has stated on previous occasions that we would give the Minister all our support in turning the Department of Health around. While the Minister has been making the right noises, it has failed to translate into any action.
As things are standing now, we fear they are getting worse. The nine provincial departments have overspent by an astonishing R12 billion this year, which is up from the past financial year. This is due to the chronic underfunding by the national government as well as a gross underestimation of actual health costs.
Another direct consequence of failed ANC policy is that of human resources. In 1994 and 1995 the ANC closed down many nursing colleges and thus reduced the number of nurses we were producing. It also continued to refuse the private sector permission to train doctors. The consequence of that is that we currently have a shortfall of 40 000 nurses and 12 500 doctors in the public sector. The department still has no comprehensive human resources plan.
Coupled with the chronic lack of staff and the ever-increasing burden of disease, health standards are declining in our public hospitals and nothing brings this home more than the deaths of newborn babies that have shocked the country. How can 180 babies die in one hospital in five months without the alarm bells ringing?
The fact that it took 180 babies to die before an investigation was initiated shows how cheap life has become under the ANC government. We are only one of 12 countries in the world where the child mortality rate is actually increasing.
If we had had the Office of Standards Compliance fully operational as is stipulated in the National Health Act of 2003, which is seven years old now, many of those many deaths would have been averted. Under the current circumstances the DA cannot possible support the Health Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.
Mr P B MNGUNI: Thanks, Deputy Speaker, concerns have been raised with regard to the readiness of the country's health sector to meet the challenges arising from the coming Soccer World Cup. A surgeon at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town recently made a comment on the fact that the hospital was not ready. He said that they were not able to treat all the patients over a weekend in the current situation. This is without the influx of spectators expected for the World Cup.
Currently, Groote Schuur Hospital has a shortage of surgeons and its resuscitation area is unable to cope with the current demand. Many may argue that this was just an isolated case, but Groote Schuur Hospital is one of the leading hospitals in the Western Cape and in South Africa. One can be assured that it would not be an isolated case.
According to reports, a National Health Insurance system in South Africa would cost something in the area of R200 billion annually. That would roughly be equal to building a new stadium every week for 52 weeks a year forever. As much as national health insurance is a noble idea, its implementation is where the problem lies.
To give this kind of responsibility to a department that overspent its budget by R12 billion at a provincial level is irresponsible or risky. However, the manner in which the Minister is going about addressing the health concerns of the nation deserves support. Cope supports the Vote. I thank you.
Instead of the hopeful anticipation usually associated with the announcement of the annual Budget Speech, it is now met with anger. If so much money has been allocated to HIV, why do our pharmacies constantly run out of lifesaving ARVs Why are HIV babies going hungry because there is no baby formula in the clinics?
I would like the powers that be to justify why my hypertensive-diabetic patients have to go for months without HCTZ and aspirin. How can I be expected to offer emergency procedures like caesarean sections when the autoclave machine hasn't worked for months?
Of course these are just isolated incidents, but these and many more horror stories are becoming the norm in hospitals around the country.
The system is neither friendly to the people it is meant to serve nor to the health care workers operating it. It serves the larger part of the population, but is allocated a chunk of the budget that is inadequate for what it is attempting to achieve. The feeling amongst most healthcare workers is that we are being expected to perform miracles on scraps. We have a mammoth task to fight HIV and TB; as if that wasn't enough we have the growing battle of social issues like poverty, unemployment and alcohol abuse, which all come with their complications.
The ever-growing queues in our clinics and hospitals are a testament of how much sickness and disease are in our communities. Most doctors in the state sector do not mind the increased workload and have come to accept it as a normal part of their job. What they do mind is being expected to do the job under the most difficult conditions without being given proper tools.
The Department of Health dragged the wage negotiations on for months but failed to tackle core issues. They still cannot justify the lack in supply of standard equipment like latex gloves and syringes.
In view of these considerable concerns including the shocking mortality rate of women and children, especially babies, and government's continued commitment to aborting babies indiscriminately, the ACDP will not support this Budget Vote. I thank you.
Mr E M SULLIMAN: Deputy Speaker, the hon member of Cope mentioned the World Cup and I would like to use this opportunity to indicate that we, as South Africans, are very excited and, without a doubt, we are looking forward to it. The ANC wishes Bafana Bafana the very best and assure them of our support as they make us all proud of being South Africans.
Since we had the ability to organise and manage a successful World Cup, it will not be impossible for us to reverse the decades of oppression. The approach we are adopting now of establishing key deliverables in the Department of Health, would make it easier for us to monitor progress.
The Department of Health's 10-point plan includes, among other things, providing strategic leadership and the creation of a social compact for health outcomes; implementation of a National Health Insurance plan; improving quality of health services; human resources management; revitalisation of physical infrastructure and improving management; accelerated implementation of the HIV/Aids plan; and reduction of mortality due to co-infection.
South Africa enjoys a much bigger Health Budget than most developing countries, but we are faced with an increasing burden of diseases. That is a fact - and HIV/Aids is our greater challenge.
The majority of our people are still living in poverty. The policy on HIV treatment has been revised. They now provide ARV treatment to people with a CD4 count of less than 350, whereas previously it had to be less than 200.
For increased access to health care, a bold approach is needed. We need a more holistic approach, hence the need for National Health Insurance. The status quo cannot remain where 86% of our people do not have the privilege of medical aid. The ANC supports this Budget Vote. [Applause.
AYES - 217: Abram, S; Adams, P E; Baloyi, M R; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bapela, K O; Bhengu , N R; Bhengu, P; Bikani, F C; Bogopane-Zulu, H I; Booi, M S; Borman, G M; Boshigo, D F; Botha, Y R; Burgess, C V; Buthelezi, M G; Carrim, Y I; Cebekhulu, R N; Chauke, H P; Chikunga, L S; Chohan, F I; Coleman, E M; Cronin, J P; Cwele, S C; De Lille, P; Diale, L N; Dikgacwi, M M; Dlakude , D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlamini-Zuma, N C; Dlodlo, A; Doidge, G Q M; Dubazana, Z S; Dube, M C; Dunjwa, M L; Fihla, N B; Fransman, M L; Frolick, C T; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gelderblom, J P; Gigaba, K M N; Gina, N; Godongwana, E; Gololo, C L; Gona, M F; Greyling, L W; Gumede, D M; Gxowa, N B; Hajaig, F; Hogan, B A; Hoosen, M H; Huang, S-B; Jacobus, L; Jeffery, J H; Joemat-Pettersson, T M; Johnson, M; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Kholwane, S E; Khumalo, F E; Khunou, N P; Koornhof, G W; Kota-Fredericks, Z A; Kubayi, M T; Landers, L T; Lebenya-Ntanzi, S P; Lekgetho, G; Line, H; Lishivha, T E; Luyenge, Z; Maake, J J; Mabasa, X; Mabedla, N R; Mabuza, M C; Madlala, N M; Mafolo, M V; Magagula, V V; Magama, H T; Magau, K R; Magazi, M N; Magwanishe, G; Mahlangu-Nkabinde, G L; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Makwetla, S P; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, J M; Manamela, K B; Manana, M C; Mandela, Z M D; Manganye, J; Manuel, T A; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Martins, B A D; Mashigo, R M; Mashishi, A C; Masilo, J M; Masutha, T M; Mataboge, D K; Mathebe, D H; Mathebe, P M; Mathibela, N F; Matshoba, J M; Maunye, M M; Mavunda, D W; Maziya, A M; Mbalula, F A; Mc Gluwa, J J; Mdakane, M R; Mdladlana, M M S; Mentor, M P; Mgabadeli, H C; Mjobo, L N; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlambo, E M; Mlangeni, A; Mmusi, S G; Mnisi, N A; Mohale, M C; Mokoena, A D; Molebatsi, M A; Molewa, B E E; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Morutoa, M R; Moss, L N; Motimele, M S; Motshekga, M A; Motshekga, M S; Mpontshane, A M; Msweli, H S; Mthethwa, E M; Mthethwa, E N; Mtshali, E; Mushwana, F F; Muthambi, A F; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndabandaba, L B G; Ndabeni, S T; Ndebele, J S; Ndlovu, V B; Nel, A C; Nelson, W J; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngele, N J; Ngwenya, W; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhanha, M A; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njobe, M A A; Nkwinti, G E; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntuli, Z C; Nyalungu, R E; Nyanda, M F; Nyekemba, E; Oliphant, G G; Oosthuizen, G C; Pandor, G N M; Petersen-Maduna, P; Phaahla, M J; Phaliso, M N; Pilusa-Mosoane, M E; Radebe, B A; Radebe, G S; Radebe, J T; Ramatlhodi, N A; Rantsolase, M A; Saal, G; Scheemann, G D; Segale-Diswai, M J; Selau, G J; Sexwale, T M G; Shiceka, S; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibhida, N N; Sisulu, M V; Sithole, K P; Sithole, S C N; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Smith, V G; Snell, G T; Sogoni, E M; Sonjica, B P; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Suka, L; Sulliman, E M; Sunduza, T B; Surty, M E; Thabethe, E; Thobejane, S G; Thomson, B; Tinto, B; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tsenoli, S L; Tshivhase, T J; Tshwete, P; Tsotetsi, D R; Turok, B; Twala, N M; Vadi, I; Van der Merwe, S C; Van Rooyen, D D; Van Wyk, A; Xaba, P P; Yengeni, L E; Zikalala, C N Z; Zondi, K M; Zulu, B Z.
NOES - 59: Alberts, A D; Boinamo, G G; Bosman, L L; Coetzee, T W; Davidson, I O; De Freitas, M S F; Du Toit, N D; Dudley, C; Duncan, P C; Ellis, M J; Farrow, S B; Fritz, A T; George, D T; Groenewald, P J; James, W G; Kalyan, S V; Kloppers-Lourens, J C; Kohler-Barnard, D; Kopane, S P; Lamoela, H; Lee, T D; Lorimer, J R B; Lotriet, A; Louw, A; Lovemore, A T; Marais, E J; Marais, S J F; Masango, S J; Maynier, D J; Mazibuko, L D; Meshoe, K R J; Michael, N W A; Mokgalapa, S; More, E; Morgan, G R; Motau, S C; Mubu, K S; Mulder, C P; Ollis, I M; Rabie, P J; Rabotapi, M W; Robinson, D; Ross, D; Schmidt, H C; Selfe, J; Shinn, M R; Smiles, D C; Steyn, A; Steyn, A C; Swart, M; Swathe, M M; Trollip, R A P; Van Dalen, P; Van der Linde, J J; Van der Walt, D; Van Dyk, S M; Van Schalkwyk, H C; Waters, M; Wenger, M.
Vote No 16 - Higher Education and Training - put.
Dr W G JAMES: Deputy Speaker, the purpose of Budget Vote 16 is to support much-needed industrial skilling to grow the further education and training college sector and to increase both access to and quality of education at our 23 universities and 53 FET colleges.
The Sector Education and Training Authorities, Setas, are not financing or assembling programmes of skill acquisition and training on scale. Many are glaringly dysfunctional, and have been so for a very long time. The problem with the Setas is that they are not spending their money effectively. The FET sector colleges must grow their enrolment from a current 125 000 to 1 million students by 2016 to reach their potential.
The funding for growth on scale is simply not there. We have no difficulties at all with the funding going to universities.
It is for these reasons that the DA opposes the Budget Vote. It is an exercise in business as usual. We need real change and not fictional, paper transformation. Thank you. [Applause.
Mr M L FRANSMAN: Deputy Speaker, the ANC supports the Vote on Higher Education and Training. In fact, we support it because between the Departments of Higher Education and Training and Basic Education, this government, led by our President, is in fact putting at least 20% to 23% of the national fiscus into education.
We all know that more money can be given in terms of universities and colleges, etc, but the reality is that with the money that's there now, there is a balance between that and support for the Seta interventions. And we know there were problems with at least five of the Setas.
Therefore, as a committee, we indicated that that needs to be strengthened. [Interjections.] The Minister and the department are busy with that. We are also, for example, supporting the intervention in expansion, both on infrastructure development and also on the quality of interventions in the FET training environment.
Therefore, as the ANC, both in the committee and in the House here, we support it.
It is, in fact, a disgrace for the DA not to support investment in education in this particular case. Thank you. [Interjections.] [Applause.
AYES - 216: Abram, S; Adams, P E; Alberts, A D; Baloyi, M R; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bapela, K O; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, P; Bikani, F C; Bogopane-Zulu, H I; Booi, M S; Borman, G M; Boshigo, D F; Botha, Y R; Burgess, C V; Buthelezi, M G; Cebekhulu, R N; Chauke, H P; Chikunga, L S; Chohan, F I; Coleman, E M; Cronin, J P; Cwele, S C; De Lille, P; Diale, L N; Dlakude , D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlamini-Zuma, N C; Dlodlo, A; Doidge, G Q M; Dubazana, Z S; Dube, M C; Dudley, C; Dunjwa, M L; Fihla, N B; Fransman, M L; Frolick, C T; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gelderblom, J P; Gigaba, K M N; Gina, N; Godongwana, E; Gololo, C L; Gona, M F; Groenewald, P J; Gumede, D M; Gxowa, N B; Hajaig, F; Hogan, B A; Huang, S-B; Jacobus, L; Jeffery, J H; Joemat-Pettersson, T M; Johnson, M; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Kholwane, S E; Khumalo, F E; Khunou, N P; Komphela, B M; Koornhof, G W; Kota-Fredericks, Z A; Kubayi, M T; Landers, L T; Lekgetho, G; Line, H; Lishivha, T E; Luyenge, Z; Maake, J J; Mabasa, X; Mabedla, N R; Mabuza, M C; MacKenzie, G D; Madlala, N M; Mafolo, M V; Magagula, V V; Magama, H T; Magau, K R; Magazi, M N; Magwanishe, G; Mahlangu-Nkabinde, G L; Makhuba, H N; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Makwetla, S P; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Manamela, K B; Manana, M C; Mandela, Z M D; Manganye, J; Manuel, T A; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Martins, B A D; Mashigo, R M; Mashishi, A C; Masilo, J M; Masutha, T M; Mataboge, D K; Mathebe, D H; Mathebe, P M; Mathibela, N F; Matshoba, J M; Maunye, M M; Mavunda, D W; Maziya, A M; Mc Gluwa, J J; Mdakane, M R; Mdladlana, M M S; Mentor, M P; Meshoe, K R J; Mgabadeli, H C; Mjobo, L N; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlambo, E M; Mlangeni, A; Mmusi, S G; Mnisi, N A; Mohale, M C; Mokoena, A D; Molebatsi, M A; Molewa, B E E; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Morutoa, M R; Moss, L N; Motimele, M S; Motshekga, M A; Motshekga, M S; Mpontshane, A M; Msweli, H S; Mthethwa, E M; Mthethwa, E N; Mtshali, E; Mulder, C P; Mushwana, F F; Muthambi, A F; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndabandaba, L B G; Ndabeni, S T; Ndebele, J S; Ndlovu, V B; Nelson, W J; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngele, N J; Ngwenya, W; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njobe, M A A; Nkwinti, G E; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntuli, Z C; Nyalungu, R E; Nyanda, M F; Nyekemba, E; Oliphant, G G; Oosthuizen, G C; Pandor, G N M; Petersen-Maduna, P; Phaahla, M J; Phaliso, M N; Pilusa-Mosoane, M E; Radebe, B A; Radebe, G S; Radebe, J T; Ramatlhodi, N A; Rantsolase, M A; Saal, G; Scheemann, G D; Segale-Diswai, M J; Selau, G J; Sexwale, T M G; Shiceka, S; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibhida, N N; Sisulu, M V; Sithole, K P; Sithole, S C N; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Smith, V G; Snell, G T; Sogoni, E M; Sonjica, B P; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Suka, L; Sulliman, E M; Sunduza, T B; Surty, M E; Thabethe, E; Thobejane, S G; Thomson, B; Tinto, B; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tsenoli, S L; Tshivhase, T J; Tshwete, P; Tsotetsi, D R; Turok, B; Twala, N M; Vadi, I; Van der Merwe, S C; Van Rooyen, D D; Van Wyk, A; Xaba, P P; Yengeni, L E; Zikalala, C N Z; Zondi, K M; Zulu, B Z.
NOES - 53: Boinamo, G G; Bosman, L L; Coetzee, T W; Davidson, I O; De Freitas, M S F; Du Toit, N D; Duncan, P C; Ellis, M J; Farrow, S B; Fritz, A T; George, D T; James, W G; Kalyan, S V; Kloppers-Lourens, J C; Kohler-Barnard, D; Kopane, S P; Lamoela, H; Lee, T D; Lorimer, J R B; Lotriet, A; Louw, A; Lovemore, A T; Marais, E J; Marais, S J F; Masango, S J; Maynier, D J; Mazibuko, L D; Michael, N W A; Mokgalapa, S; More, E; Morgan, G R; Motau, S C; Mubu, K S; Ollis, I M; Rabie, P J; Rabotapi, M W; Robinson, D; Ross, D; Schmidt, H C; Selfe, J; Shinn, M R; Smiles, D C; Steyn, A; Steyn, A C; Swart, M; Swathe, M M; Van Dalen, P; Van der Linde, J J; Van der Walt, D; Van Dyk, S M; Van Schalkwyk, H C; Waters, M; Wenger, M.
Vote No 17 - Labour - put.
Mr A LOUW: Deputy Speaker, the DA will not support the Budget Vote for Labour this year because the director-general, Mr Jimmy Manyi, artificially created future expenditure to justify an additional R1 billion to the budget. The shortage of labour inspectors in all provinces is not adequately addressed in this budget. Currently, the inspectors are not adequately resourced to enable them to do their work.
The Compensation Fund does not deliver on its mandate of compensating injured workers. Instead, it admitted recently before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa, that the Fund has been defrauded to the amount of R24,6 million in false claims.
A contract agreement between Siemens and the Department of Labour for the amount of R1,7 billion resulted in fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
The Portfolio Committee on Labour did an oversight visit in provinces last week, and we have seen that the poor do not benefit from the services in labour centres, especially with the Compensation and Unemployment Insurance Fund. Thank you.
Mr P D MBHELE: Madam Deputy Speaker, Cope is encouraged by some of the developments, but is concerned that government has not been able to stimulate the economy sufficiently to create better labour market conditions. Government knows the significance of job creation, but seems not to have the answers. Meanwhile, the unemployed are languishing in casual jobs or in a total state of despair.
This government has made extravagant promises, but its delivery on those has been minuscule. The suffering of the people must be brought to an end through an effective stimulation of the labour market.
The Department of Labour has admitted before Scopa that the Compensation Fund has been defrauded to the tune of R24,6 million in false claims. Much more remains unaccounted for in this financial year's statements. [Interjections.] Nevertheless, amidst this howling and hackling, Cope will support this Vote.
Mr V B NDLOVU: Deputy Speaker, the Department of Labour is facing the following challenges. The inspectorate has to be monitored properly; supervision has to be done in order to make sure that inspectors go everywhere where they need to go; and there should be communication between the employer and the employee on outstanding issues, especially where there are cases that are postponed by the employer at the expense of the employees.
There are good people in the department, but there are also those who do not care about their work. It is unacceptable that a person can return to the offices of the department more than three times, especially for CCMA cases, without getting proper results.
The service delivery of this department should be more orderly, and let's eliminate those people who are not suitable to do the job. Let's fire them. I am specifically referring to the UIF section where people are doing what they like. Those who are not prepared to work within this department should be replaced by people who care for other people, especially the unemployed. [Interjections.
Ngeke ningizwe phela uma nibanga umsindo. [You won't hear me if you continue making a noise.
Accountability, responsibility and enforcement of employees to account for every department and section that they lead should be key factors. Thank you.
Adv A de W ALBERTS: Weens die volgende kwessies, die strukturele diskriminasie teen blankes en informele diskriminasie teen bruinmense en Indiërs by wyse van regstellende aksie, asook die diskriminerende oriëntasie van die departement se direkteur-generaal, mnr Jimmy Manyi, teenoor blankes en minderhede, en sy weiering om afstand te doen van sy posisie by die Black Management Forum waardeur hy die lede van dié organisasie kan bevoordeel, vra ons dat mnr Manyi vervang word as direkteur-generaal en stem ons teen die begrotingpos. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.
[Adv A de W ALBERTS: As a result of the following issues, the structural discrimination against whites and informal discrimination against coloured and Indian people by means of affirmative action, as well as the discriminative orientation of the director-general of the department, Mr Jimmy Manyi, against whites and minorities and his refusal to vacate his position at the Black Management Forum through which he can benefit the members of that organisation, we request that Mr Manyi be replaced as director-general and we do not support the Budget Vote. Thank you.
Mrs L E YENGENI: Deputy Speaker, The Portfolio Committee on Labour is aware of all the challenges that the Department of Labour is facing. We are in the process of addressing those problems. This includes the members who stood up and did not want to support the budget. They are fully aware of all these problems, and the department has agreed that it is in the process of addressing most of them.
In its manifesto, the ANC promises all the citizens of our country - in particular workers - that it will deal with the problems of labour-broking and prohibition of abusive practices. That was not an empty promise. [Interjections.] This budget is going to fulfil those promises. Thank you. [Applause.
Mrs T M JOEMAT-PETTERSON: Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: I would just like the hon member to explain who the "bruinmense" [brown people] are.
I believe that it's extremely racist and that it should be withdrawn. [Interjections.] It was the hon member Alberts from the FF Plus. Thank you.
Adv A de W ALBERTS: Minister, daar is mense in Suid-Afrika wat hulself so noem, en ek aanvaar dit ook so. Ek ken persoonlik sulke mense.
Party mense noem hulself kleurlinge en dan is daar mense wat hulself Suid-Afrikaners noem. Maar daar is al hierdie tipes in Suid-Afrika, en ek weet dat daar teen daardie spesifieke groep mense ook gediskrimineer word.
As u 'n beter benaming het, dan sal ek dit gebruik. Ek wil nie minagting teenoor u of enige mense in die Parlement of in Suid-Afrika toon nie. As u enige beter benamings het om 'n groep mense te omskryf, sal ek dit waardeer. Baie dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.
Adv A de W ALBERTS: Minister, there are people in South Africa who call themselves this and therefore I accept that this is how it is. I personally know such people.
Some people call themselves coloured and then there are people who call themselves South Africans. But there are all these people of this description in South Africa and I am aware that this specific group of people are also discriminated against.
If you have a more suitable term, then I will use that. I do not want to disrespect you or any person in Parliament or in South Africa. If you have a more suitable term to describe a group of people, I would appreciate it. Thank you.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Okay, I am not going to allow a dialogue here. I'm sure that there can be an explanation later.
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance and Freedom Front Plus dissenting).
VOTE 18 - Social Development - put.
Mrs Y R BOTHA: Madam Deputy Speaker, the ANC supports Vote 18. The budget of R95,9 billion aims to protect the vulnerable by creating an enabling environment for the provision of services that are comprehensive, integrated and sustainable. The bulk of this budget goes to Programme 2, which deals with social security. Social security remains a crucial tool in terms of impacting positively on the lives of families living below the poverty line.
The extension of the child support grant to children up to the age of 18 years remains one of the greatest milestones of this department and government. The continued improvement of the service will clearly enhance its efficiency in reaching out to those who need it most.
Social development is key to the development of social cohesion in our communities. It does this by developing policies that impact on social crimes and therefore protects the rights of victims that are affected by these crimes, as well as to prevent these crimes.
Gender-based violence and substance abuse are still too prevalent in our communities. The cohesion of families needs to be attended to so that we can see an improvement in the stability of community life. Thank you. [Applause.
Vote 19 - Sport and Recreation - put.
Mr T D LEE: Adjunkspeaker, in die jaar wat Suid-Afrika die grootste sportskouspel ter wêreld aanbied, is dit baie teleurstellend dat die Departement van Sport en Rekreasie 'n gekwalifiseerde verslag van die Ouditeur-generaal kry.
Dit het gebeur omdat daar mense aangestel is wat nie die mas kon opkom nie en nou moet ons die wrange vrugte pluk. Die slagoffers in die proses is die jeug wie se talent verlore gaan. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.
Mr T D LEE: Deputy Speaker, it is very disappointing that, in the year that South Africa hosts the biggest sporting spectacle in the world, the Department of Sport and Recreation received a qualified report from the Auditor-General.
It happened because the people who were appointed were not up to the task and now we have to bear the brunt. The victims in this process are the youth whose talents are being lost.
Then there is Boxing SA, which has been a disaster since its inception some years ago. It again received a qualified Auditor-General's report this year.
In 2007, the Minister called them, and I quote, "a nuisance" and last year the Minister labelled them the Achilles heel of our work. But Boxing SA is still a bottomless pit into which state resources are poured without any meaningful returns.
It is for this and many other reasons that the DA has introduced a Private Members' Bill to disestablish Boxing SA. South Africa is a nation of sports lovers. As citizens, we all deserve more from our sporting institutions. I hope that the department takes these criticisms to heart and has the courage and political will to make the necessary policy changes.
The DA will not support this Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.
Mr G P D MACKENZIE: Madam Deputy Speaker, with the minimal resources allocated to this budget, we cannot reach our goals and objectives of social cohesion, transformation, nation-building and creating a healthy and winning nation.
The three goals of the department, namely mass participation, sports development and high performance also cannot be effectively achieved with the reduced budget.
School sports has been downgraded as a priority, as the budget has been slashed from R35 million to R22 million. Sixty-six of our sports federations received a total of R27,62 million, yet Lovelife received R28,693 million. Clearly, our priorities are not correct.
As a committee, we agree that school sport, rural sport and development were the key areas of focus. But this budget does not reflect this position. Transformation has been pushed into the background.
We need to create opportunities for the disadvantaged throughout our country. Cope will shortly be forwarding a far-reaching proposal to help address these critical issues. We believe that this proposal will go some way in tackling these vexing issues. We wish the department well and every success in trying to reach the set priority areas.
Cope will not support this Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.
Rev K R J MESHOE: Deputy Speaker, I want to use this opportunity to wish our national team, Bafana Bafana, all the courage and confidence. They will need it to hold their own against Mexico, which is currently placed 17th on the Fifa world rankings. The sterling performance and entertaining football they played against Bulgaria should inspire them to cause a major upset in their first game.
The ACDP supports the Bafana Bafana coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, and the entire team, and also this Vote. Thank you. [Applause.
Mr B M KOMPHELA: Madam Deputy Speaker, the ANC supports Vote 19 - Sports and Recreation. The social cohesion the nation is building through sports this year is at its highest peak, and it would never change again as from this year.
The issue of the Auditor-General's qualification on Sports and Recreation is not a qualification. I want to tell the DA that those were matters of emphasis, which, if the department did not adhere to it or deal with certain things, would have resulted in a qualification. It was not a qualification. I think hon Lee will learn a bit more when we are at the portfolio committee level.
On the issue of Lovelife, Lovelife is an international agreement. The R28 million that is given to Sport and Recreation is an international agreement. National Treasury sends that money to Sport and Recreation, which in turn takes the money and gives it to Lovelife.
But central to that is the fact that issues of HIV and Aids, through the awareness of sport, are more easily recognised, and they could be easily profiled when they are situated within Sport and Recreation. Therefore, it is correct that that programme of Lovelife should be with Sport and Recreation to assist our children to be conscious of HIV and Aids and all other challenges that face them.
The issue of less money for sports at schools is not correct. The baseline for Sport and Recreation in 2009 and 2010 was R22 million. After the adjustment, it went up to R35 million. So it is not correct to say to this House that the money has been reduced when the baseline for 2010-11 is R23 million.
An adjustment will therefore come and then it is going to be moving it up. Therefore, the ANC confidently supports this Budget Vote unequivocally. It is correct for all of us to support this Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, we know that members may not leave the House until the results have been declared!
DEPUTY MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION: Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: Just for the record, we have now completed voting, but in the Budget Vote, both the DA and Cope expressed their support, it's on Hansard. So, some forces changed their minds from then till now. Thank you.
Vote No 20 - Correctional Services - put.
Mr J SELFE: Deputy Speaker, we would like to welcome the newly-appointed National Commissioner for Correctional Services. We hope that his appointment and that of the new Chief Financial Officer will improve the situation in the department.
We say this because all is not well in the department. The department has had six successive qualified audits, and the national commissioner is the third incumbent in this post in the last two years. As a result of that there has been a massive leadership vacuum.
Partly because of this, this budget is not aligned with the aims and objectives of the White Paper on Corrections, five years after that White Paper's adoption by the ANC government.
The department is plagued by instances of corruption that lead to prisoners escaping, as recently occurred in Durban Westville, and to the unhealthy influence of prison gangs.
Every oversight visit to prisons we undertake exposes managers who cannot manage, staff vacancies that are not filled, maintenance work that is incomplete, expensive security equipment that is not working and inmates who are not productive.
Five years ago government promised eight new prisons. Only one has been built in Kimberly, but it was delivered 18 months late and commissioned without telephones or IT equipment.
Under these circumstances, we cannot support the Budget Vote. [Applause.
Mr V G SMITH: Madam Deputy Speaker, the ANC supports the Budget Vote. I think that the hon Selfe and others should support the budget, because unless you support the budget and make an undertaking to monitor and oversee on a greater basis, we cannot do the things that you are talking about, Mr Selfe.
Those things are only achievable - and we agree with you that there have been shortcomings - if we all support the budget. They are only achievable if you and I and everybody else, in supporting the budget, monitor what is being spent through the budget.
The Minister and everybody else agree with us that there are shortcomings. What we need is for this whole House to support the budget and for the whole House to be there to assist in this difficult task. We support the Budget Vote. [Applause.
Mr D J MAYNIER: Deputy Speaker, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu, took command of the defence department a year ago. Since then the Minister has notched up some significant achievements, not least the deployment of the Defence Force to safeguard the landward and maritime borders of our country.
However, these achievements have been overshadowed by the secretisation, or perhaps more correctly, the resecretisation of virtually all matters relating to the Defence Force. This has had the effect of building up suspicion, breaking down trust and effectively insulating the Defence Force from any proper scrutiny and oversight by Parliament. The fact is that the Minister is fast turning the Defence Force into a state within a state.
I am sure that most hon members are familiar with Senator Owen Horwoord, the less than hon Minister of Finance during the information scandal, who signed payment cheques without looking at them or checking on the purpose of the expenditure.
The fact is that if this Parliament supports the defence budget, then Parliament is in danger of doing a collective Owen Horwoord: effectively signing a cheque for R3,7 billion, made out to the defence department without really knowing on what or to what effect the money is being spent.
This we will not and cannot do. The DA will therefore not support the Defence and Military Veterans budget for the 2010-11 financial year. I thank you. [Applause.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member, did you forget to add "hon" to Lindiwe Sisulu or was it deliberate?
Mr D J MAYNIER: Deputy Speaker, I addressed the hon Lindiwe Sisulu as "the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu". [Interjections.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I did not hear it like that and therefore I asked. You said, "Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu". Are you all responding on his behalf?
Mr V B NDLOVU: Deputy Speaker, a challenge facing this department is the involvement of young people in service training. It is important that provinces and all the different stakeholders should be involved in recruiting young people to ensure that these people are attending the service training.
The IFP supports this action because we believe that it will not be used politically for the propaganda machinery, especially for people who are known to you.
Co-operation and working together with labour unions is of paramount importance and if they are recognised, they should work together. If they are not recognised, they should not be given a platform to work together. It must be quite clear. They must draw a line.
The IFP awaits the amendments of the Defence Amendment Bill in order to ensure that the trade unions within the department are curtailed because there are so many of them with powers that they are not supposed to have. Thank you.
Mnr P J GROENEWALD: Adjunkspeaker, ek wil net vir die agb Maynier sê dat Owen Horwood presies geweet het wat hy geteken het. Hy het net gelieg toe hy gesê het dat hy nie geweet het nie.
Ek is bly baie lede van die Kabinet is vanmiddag hier. Die Kabinet gee opdragte aan die SA Nasionale Weermag. Hulle verwag van die SANW om 'n sekere mandaat uit te voer, maar die Kabinet gee nie die geld daarvoor nie. Wat tans in die weermag gebeur is dat die hoofde nou geld van hul operasionele begrotings neem om die salarisse van die soldate te betaal.
As jy die operasionele gelde begin aanwend daarvoor, dan is jou gevegsgereedheid besig om tot niet te gaan. Daar is nie eers genoeg geld om ammunisie aan te koop om die Material Safety Data Sheet, MSDS, program opleiding te gee in skietwerk nie. Daar is nie eers genoeg geld dat die vliëniers van die Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag in die nag operasioneel kan wees nie.
Ons moet besluit of ons 'n weermag wil hê of nie. As u as 'n Kabinet besluit dat u 'n weermag wil hê, moet u toesien dat die geld daar is. Die VF Plus wil dit ook op rekord stel dat daar nou nie eers genoeg geld is om die bestaande weermag aan die gang te hou nie; daar sal nog minder geld wees om 'n nasionale dienspligstelsel aan die gang te hou.
Ons kan nie werk skep in die weermag nie. Die weermag is 'n professionele, konstitusionele instelling wat die integriteit van die land moet beskerm. Dit hang van u af. Ten spyte van die tekort aan geld, sal die VF Plus steeds die begrotingspos ondersteun. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.
Mr P J GROENEWALD: Deputy Speaker, I just want to tell the hon Maynier that Owen Horwood knew exactly what he was signing. He was simply lying when he said that he did not know.
I am glad that many Cabinet members are present here this afternoon. Cabinet issues instructions to the SA National Defence Force. Cabinet expects the SANDF to fulfil a particular mandate, but fails to provide the necessary funds. What currently happens in the Defence Force is that those in charge take funds out of their operational budgets to pay soldiers' wages.
Once you start using operational funds for that purpose, your battle preparedness goes downhill. There is not even enough money to buy ammunition for marksmanship training in respect of the Material Safety Data Sheet, MSDS, programme. There is not even enough money to allow South African Airforce pilots to be operational at night.
We have to decide whether we want a defence force or not. If you as Cabinet decide that you want a defence force, you must see to it that the money is available. The FF Plus also wishes to place it on record that at present there is not even enough money to keep the existing Defence Force going; there will be even less money to maintain a system based on compulsory military service.
We cannot generate employment in the Defence Force. The Defence Force is a professional, constitutional institution mandated to protect the integrity of the country. It is up to you. Despite the financial shortfall, the FF Plus supports the Budget Vote. Thank you.
Mr M S BOOI: Deputy Speaker, I really want to clarify this matter. If you say that the DA will not support this Budget Vote, clearly you should then ask yourself how much pride you take in your country. How do you reflect on the issues of national security?
We are dealing here with national security. We are not dealing here with issues of people who are social workers. We keep on emphasising all the time that if you don't want to understand the issues of confidentiality within the SA National Defence Force, SANDF, then you must accept the fact that these are not National Intelligent Agency, NIA, workers.
These are men who are highly trained and are supposed to defend the sovereignty of South Africa.
At no stage did the Minister say that she will never avail you of any information that you are looking for. She has always said to Parliament to sit down and to speak to its own Chief Whip to sit in the Joint Rules Committee and define what confidentiality in Parliament is.
Don't make sweeping statements here. You know for a fact that within the rules of Parliament, there is no definition of confidentially, when it comes to dealing with the lives of soldiers. It is a sweeping statement that you are making. It is not informed at all. We will continue to try and lecture you in the committee. The ANC will definitely support this Vote. Thank you. [Applause.
Vote No 22 - Independent Complaints Directorate - put.
Mr M A NHANHA: Madam Deputy Speaker, as Cope we can only hope that this Vote will not be sub judice according to the words of hon Mbalula. Section 205(3) of the Constitution states that the Police Service's job is to prevent, combat and investigate crime; maintain public order; protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property; and to uphold and enforce the law.
The statistics, on the other hand, reveal that over the past six years the following has happened: 112 982 people were murdered; 132 398 people survived murder attempts; 403 791 sexual offences were committed; 1 368 301 assaults with grievous bodily harm were committed; 746 435 robberies with aggravating circumstances were committed; and 81 761 car hijackings took place.
On average, 100 000 South Africans experience some form of serious crime every month. Even hon President Jacob Zuma publicly acknowledged that serious crime is a problem in South Africa. At a time when the country is in serious economic difficulties...
Unfortunately, Madam Deputy Speaker, we cannot support this Vote. [Time expired.
Rev K R J MESHOE: Deputy Speaker, the ACDP welcomes the newly appointed Executive Director of the ICD, Mr Francois Beukman. The ACDP also trusts that, under his leadership and guidance, the efficiency of the ICD and the turnaround time for the finalisation of investigations into corrupt and abusive police officers will be greatly improved.
The ACDP will support the increased Budget Vote No 22 - Independent Complaints Directorate. Thank you. [Applause.
Ms L N MOSS: Madam Deputy Speaker, I think it is important to mention that the ICD is Vote No 22. I think Cope's declaration is misplaced; it is for Vote No 24 and not No 22. [Interjections.
The mandate of the ICD is to investigate any misconduct or offences committed by SAPS, or municipal police services, not the crime statistics you were telling us about. Sorry, sir, we welcome the ACDP comment. The ANC will support the Budget Vote. It's misplaced. Thank you. [Applause.
Prof B TUROK (ANC): Madam Chair, on a point of order: It seems the House cannot have a division because Cope is having its own division outside. [Laughter.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I'm sure we are all comfortable about sleeping here!
Vote No 23 - Justice and Constitutional Development - put.
Mrs N W A MICHAEL: Madam Deputy Speaker, the DA cannot support the R2,4 billion in this Vote which is being allocated to the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA. The National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Simelane's strategic plan did not match the Estimates of National Expenditure or of that of the Appropriation Bill. For example, R81 million is specifically allocated to the Asset Forfeiture Unit, which Advocate Simelane attempted to shut down. And an amount of R481 million was allocated to co-operative services, which he has decided to move to Justice without the permission of hon Minister Radebe.
We welcome the hon Minister Radebe's attempt to reverse the changes of the Director of Public Prosecutions, but he was simply ignored by Advocate Simelane. We welcome the hon President Zuma's more successful instruction to stop all proposed changes. However, deferring any restructuring until the Ministerial cluster has resolved how they will implement their performance agreements and mandate is unsatisfactory and remains dangerous.
Advocate Simelane should have been called back and told by the justice committee that we would not vote in favour of the budget unless he formally undertook to stop restructuring, shutting down units and demoting prosecutors.
We are deeply concerned about the trends at the NPA, including, amongst other things, that the NDPP seems to make unilateral decisions and that not even hon Minister Radebe is aware of this.
The DA would want to see, for example, Advocate Gerry Nel's salary paid. However, we need to register our protest at the fact that he and his team were taken off a case like that of defeating the ends of justice against the former crime intelligence head, Mr Mulangi Mphego, resulting in the case being thrown out.
Our objection is specifically against the R2,4 billion for the NPA. However, due to the intertwined nature of the departments, we have no choice but to voice our dissatisfaction in the strongest way by voting against the budget as a whole. [Applause.
Mr M A NHANHA: Deputy Speaker, I'm sure I have this one right this time around! [Laughter.] We need to ensure that life is valued again. In the recent past, life has become cheap. People are being killed left, right and centre for no apparent reason. It is the judiciary's responsibility to uphold the law and to make certain that we can again be proud of what we have achieved.
In assisting the judiciary in performing their important task, we need to ensure that it's independent. This is of the utmost importance because it would seem as if one can get away with anything these days if one is well-connected.
We hope that the new proposed Bills will go a long way in ensuring the independence of the judiciary, but only time will tell. There is still a big problem with access to the courts of our country. Ordinary South Africans are finding it hard to get justice.
What is happening at the NPA is cause for grave discomfort. Cope will support this Vote. Thank you.
Mr N A RAMATLHODI: Madam Deputy Speaker, the ANC supports Vote No 23. We do so informed by an understanding that the principle of separation of powers is the inimitable cornerstone of our constitutional democracy.
Whilst the legislature, the executive and the judiciary are independent of each other, they constitute three legs of one pot, making them interdependent organs of one body. We therefore support the submissions of strategic plans to the legislature, not for approval by us, but in order to empower us to know what the budgets are financing so that we can exercise effective oversight.
In exercising this oversight, the legislature will be well advised not to descend into the arena of policy implementation and operations as this resorts in the exclusive domain of the executive. For instance, as the legislature sitting here, we cannot reconstitute ourselves as the high court of Parliament as happened previously. Otherwise we will be usurping the power of the judiciary.
Similarly, in exercising its oversight role within this legislature, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa, has to do so having consulted with the relevant departments; otherwise Scopa's actions would constitute encroachments onto the functions of other committees. The ANC supports the Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.
Vote No 24 - Police - put.
Ms D KOHLER-BARNARD: Deputy Speaker, there is just one phrase that keeps on coming to mind as the group of SAPS personnel came in to present before the Police Portfolio Committee: "Show me the money".
Certainly the Minister has dodged my questions in relation to expenditure after expenditure, such as the party held in Bloemfontein. Certainly no one is telling which programmes these millions came from. Who knows which programme is being used as a slush fund?
There are about 50 or more citizens who are murdered here daily, coupled with an increase in violence that shocks the nation. Yet the Minister has seen it fit to quietly drop the target, according to which our Police Service should decrease violent crime, to just 4% to 7%. So, the target has been dropped, yet, the money asked for is up to R53 billion, which boils down to a 3% target decrease in exchange for a 13% budget increase.
We have watched the Minister and his deputy squandering R7,1 million on bling and 5-star hotels - and that is just what we have uncovered to date. On top of that, the Minister has gone against those sages at the outset of our democracy, who determined that this protection entity should be a service rather than a force of the apartheid era. Indeed, he is now pretending as if he is running an army, although we already have one.
While there is a crisis of crime, millions and millions, which could have been used for building and renovating police stations, simply can't be accounted for. Imagine any corporation allowing this sort of report on finances that SAPS property management attempted to fob us off with a fortnight ago; heads would roll!
Patently, the Minister has no idea of what is going on, and certainly not in property management.
R7 million report from the head of the SAPS legal services division, and this Minister is choosing to use taxpayer's money as though it were his own.
The SAPS has been galvanised by the Football World Cup, but whether or not we are going to see the same dedication when August comes, is anyone's guess.
To be voting for this Bill, would suggest that the DA supports the Ministry's intention to spend in the same unwise, unaccountable manner. There is no indication that they will do otherwise. Therefore we cannot support this Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.
Mr M A NHANHA: Deputy Speaker, just for the record, it was not misplaced but I was just overenthusiastic to do my work. That is why I came in a few Votes ahead of everyone! [Laughter.
Let me not bore this House. I have read the declaration before and suffice it to say, with good conscience, that Cope is not going to support this Vote.
Rev K R J MESHOE: Deputy Speaker, with the kick-off to the Fifa Soccer World Cup only 15 days away, the ACDP does not want the police to worry about budgetary constraints. We want them to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that criminals have no place to hide and that all our visitors and spectators from all over the world are going to feel safe in our beautiful country.
Therefore, the ACDP will support this Budget Vote in order to give those committed and disciplined police officers encouragement to ensure that the World Cup games will be incident-free and that the accommodation and transportation of all the players and officials will go according to plan. I thank you. [Applause.
Mnu V B NDLOVU: Iphini likaSomlomo, ngiyaxolisa ukukumemeza, bekungafanele ngikumemeze, okokuqala thina njengeNkatha Yenkululeko, sithi, laba bantu abafuna umsebenzi kufanele bahlungwe kahle ukuze izigebengu zingangeni kulo msebenzi. Ngoba isigebengu esisodwa senza ukuthi amaphoyisa abukeke eyizigebengi wonke. Kanti akhona asebenza ngokuzimisela, asebenza kanzima aze afele emsebenzini. Izigebengu zimbalwa nje. Ngakho-ke izigebengu asibhekane nazo ngqo.
Okwesibili, mhlonishwa, Phini likaSomlomo, besithi bekungakuhle ukuthi uma umuntu kutholakele ukuthi kukhona akwenzile-unecala, kufanele ukuthi ayohlala ekhaya kubo. Ahlale kubo kunesikhathi esibekiwe ukuthi uzohlala isikhathi esingakanani. Angalokhu ehola imali kahulumeni ebeqethuka evuka ngo 10h00, alale ngo 18h00. Ngoba lokho kwenza ukuthi imali kahulumeni engenzi lutho kanti umsebenzi ukhona, futhi abanye abantu bayawudinga umsebenzi.
Ngakho-ke izinyathelo kufanele zisheshe kakhulu futhi ziphumelele. Amaphoyisa lawo agcwele ubugebengu mhlonishwa, Phini likaSomlomo, ngihlale ngisho zonke izinsuku, awagxoshwe emaphoyiseni. Ngoba ngeke sibe nezigebengu ezingamaphoyisa, ngoba iphoyisa uma lingqongqoza kwami kufanele ngithembe. Uma kungqongqosha iphoyisa eliyisigebengu, ngeke ngithembe.
Okukugcina, ngihlale ngisho ukuthi amaphoyisa kufanele siwahlunge siwenze ukuthi angabi kwezombusazwe, angasebenzisi futhi ezombusazwe, angalekeleli umbusazwe othuli phezu kweminye. Kufanele asebenze ngokuzimisela njengamaphoyisa ukugada wonke umuntu ezweni. Awayeke ukuhlukumeza abantu abangenacala. Awabambe izigebengu okufanele azibambe, Nyambose! (Translation of isiZulu speech follows.
Mr V B NDLOVU: Deputy Speaker, pardon me for shouting at you - I was not supposed to shout at you. Firstly we, as the IFP, are saying that these people who are applying for this job must be thoroughly scrutinised so that people with criminal intentions cannot access this sector as one such person can incriminate the whole Police Service. There are police officers who are very committed to their work and even lose their lives in the line of duty. There are very few criminal elements in the Police Service. Therefore let us face criminals directly.
Secondly, Deputy Speaker, if someone is alleged to have committed a crime, we propose that they be suspended. Their suspension should not be indefinite, to prevent them from earning the state's money whilst lying on their backs doing nothing - waking up at 10h00 and going to bed at 18h00. Because that would be wasting the state's money on someone who is doing nothing whilst there is work that is supposed to be done and there are people who need that job.
Therefore, there are steps that need to be taken quickly and they need to be successful. The criminal elements within the Police Service should be fired- I mention this every day, Deputy Speaker. We cannot afford to have police officers who are criminals, because if a police officer knocks at my door I must trust him. But if it is a criminal police officer who is knocking at my door, I cannot trust him.
Lastly, I always say that we should scrutinise police officers and ensure that they are apolitical, that they do not use political means to gain something and that they also not assist any political party in any way. As police officers they should commit themselves to looking after everyone in this country. And they must refrain from harassing innocent people. They must catch criminals as they are supposed to, Nyambose!
Mr P J GROENEWALD: Deputy Speaker, I always wanted to ask the Minister what he said to the AWB leaders. I know some of those people and they are not easy to handle. When I saw them on television they were so mesmerised. So, I don't know what the hon Minister told them. I don't know whether it was Mthethwa magic or something like that. [Laughter.
FF Plus is not mesmerised. The public of South Africa should have trust in the police.
Ek is jammer om vir die agb Minister te sê dat ek steeds gereeld oorval word deur mense wat klagtes het waar hulle net eenvoudig deur polisiebeamptes, kan ek amper sê, op 'n rassistiese wyse hanteer word. Hierdie is mense wie klagtes wil gaan lê en vir wie die polisie nie bereid is om 'n klagstaat te open nie. Die polisie is nie bereid om hul verklarings te neem nie. [Tussenwerpsels.
Ja, dis 'n goeie vraag. Hoekom nie Enige burger van Suid-Afrika het die reg om na 'n polisiekantoor te gaan en 'n klag te gaan lê wat die polisie moet ondersoek?
Agb Minister, dit is vir my onaanvaarbaar dat 'n lid van die publiek by 'n polisiekantoor opdaag en sien dat die polisieman agter die toonbank 'n man is wie hom 'n paar weke tevore wou beroof. Ek moes eers 'n vraag aan u in die Parlement vra: hoekom is daardie man nog aan diens Ek praat spesifiek van die geval by die Boskop-polisiekantoor?
Hy is nou verwyder nadat ek die vraag gevra het, maar dit mag nie gebeur nie. U is op rekord waar u sê dat u die polisie wil reinig van korrupsie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.
[I am sorry to have to tell the hon Minister that I am still regularly being swamped by people who have complaints where, I can almost say, police officers simply treat them in a racist manner. These are people who want to lay a charge, but for whom the police are not prepared to open a charge sheet. The police are not prepared to take their statements. [Interjections.
Yes, that is a good question. Why not Any citizen of South Africa has the right to go to a police station to lay a charge that the police must investigate?
Hon Minister, I find it unacceptable that a member of the public should arrive at a police station to find that the police officer behind the counter is a man who had wanted to rob him a few weeks earlier. I had to ask you a question in Parliament first: why is that man still on duty?
I am talking specifically about the case of the Boskop Police Station.
He has now been removed after I had asked the question, but it must not be allowed to happen. You are on record as saying that you want to rid the police of corruption.
Hon Minister, we support you in that. We can see that you are trying to put an effort to rid the police of corruption, but we need more. The public still does not trust the police; neither does the FF Plus and we will, therefore, not support the Vote.
Mrs L S CHIKUNGA: Deputy Speaker, the ANC will definitely support this Budget Vote. It is important to inform the House that the Minister of Police spent 94% of the Ministry's budget during the 2008-09 financial year.
About 94% is well within the acceptable standards of budget spending. What is true though is that the hon Kohler-Barnard simply dislikes the Minister as a person. [Applause.
This dislike is compounded by the fact that the Minister's department is investigating irregularities in the ICT unit of SAPS. Its director, passionately liked by hon Kohler-Barnard, is being investigated for irregularities and her husband, who was a deputy director, reporting to the wife, was removed. [Interjections.] [Applause.
While this could have been characterised as nepotism, including corruption, it did not earn the Minister appreciation, but instead he was attacked. The investigation by international experts of the forensic science laboratory will definitely exacerbate the attacks on the hon Minister, because, again, it is likely to unearth many untold stories about some who are liked by the hon member.
The fact-finding investigations on who is providing services in SAPS, which the Minister is initiating, will earn him other names because it will most likely unearth other untold stories by the member. I thank you. [Applause.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): We will not ring the bells because we assume everyone is in the House.
Dr C P MULDER: Chairperson, I rise on a point of order. I would like to suggest that you cannot rule that we should not ring the bells, even if it is just for 30 seconds. I think that is not in accordance with the Rules. Maybe a member went out for a second and needs to be informed that we are going to vote. I thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): Ok, let's ring the bells for 30 seconds, if possible. The technology has given me one minute. Right, now it is able to do 30 seconds.
Mr M J ELLIS: Chairperson, just while the bells are still ringing, could I just ask you about certain points made by the member who spoke on behalf of the ANC in the Police Budget Vote. Some of the things she said may have been very important, but I am not sure if they were all parliamentary.
I could not quite understand what she was saying. I want to ask you, sir, if I can get a copy of the Hansard tomorrow, and if necessary, raise the matter in the House with you tomorrow.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): Hon member, you will definitely get the Hansard.
Vote No 25 - Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries - put.
Dr L L BOSMAN: Chairperson, the DA is disappointed that the agricultural sector was severely neglected and grossly underfunded after being allocated only 0,4% of the total Budget. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' budget is further not used for effective service delivery. It is clear that the current human resources, ICT capacity and budget are not adequate to deliver the required level of management and services.
The DA believes that the following issues are critical for food security. Taking into account the importance of research for the sector, it is clear that the Agricultural Research Council is grossly underfunded and that many posts are currently vacant. About R300 million is needed annually to address this constraint.
Onderstepoort Biological Products renders a world-class service to the livestock industry, but has to survive without any budgetary support from government.
The Perishable Products Export Control Board, PPECB, is in charge of monitoring our borders for the import and export of unwanted products, but is not supported financially by government to effectively execute this important function.
Proper management of natural disasters is of critical importance for long-term sustainability of the sector. The allocated budget for this purpose is also insufficient.
Rural safety and stock theft is completely out of control. Farmers lost R366 million to stock theft in the 2008-09 financial year. This demonstrates the size of the problem.
Daar is 'n behoefte aan 'n landbouhandelsbeleid wat beter na Suid-Afrika se belange sal omsien. Die aangekondigde invoertarief op koring is onvoldoende en gaan tot 'n verdere afname in koringproduksie, en gevolglik 'n toename in invoere met gepaardgaande werkverlies en verdere terugslae vir landelike ontwikkeling, bydra.
Die beweerde wanbestuur binne Mariene en Kusbestuur word klaarblyklik onder die mat gevee. Die vissery departement sal dringend alle aspekte van die bedryf moet aanspreek. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.
There is a need for an agricultural trade policy that will take better care of South Africa's interests. The announced import tariff on grain is insufficient and will contribute to a further drop in grain production, and subsequently to higher imports accompanied by job losses and further setbacks to rural development.
The alleged mismanagement within Marine and Coastal Management is evidently being swept under the carpet. The fisheries section of the department must urgently address all aspects of the industry.
An example of wasteful expenditure is the R600 million which was spent on patrol vessels and the disastrous deployment which followed it.
The DA will not support this Vote.
Mrs M A A NJOBE: Chairperson, while Cope will support the Budget Vote, we would like the Minister to note the following concerns.
From being a food-exporting country, South Africa has now become a net importer of food. From being a major employer, agriculture has been shedding jobs.
Agriculture is one of the most sensitive topics across racial groups in this nation, but proper engagement is necessary to achieve equity and stability. A great deal needs to be done to revitalise agriculture.
The Minister stated that: We no longer want to call people emerging farmers.
After 16 years of democracy, Cope agrees that by now we ought to have had skilled farmers ready to make South Africa a food-secure nation. More importantly, we need South Africa to be a country where food is affordable and accessible.
Why has the skills development programme fallen short Why is knowledge transfer not taking place Why have 90% of the farms transferred via the land restitution process collapsed?
At a time when joblessness and hunger are acute problems, this department has a lot to answer for. It may not necessarily be this Minister's failure, but, nonetheless, it is her department which is failing South Africa.
Human resource development programmes must be strengthened and food production capacity must be expanded, as should jobs within this sector. The Minister is right in stating that jobs, food security and sustainable livelihoods must be the ultimate aims of this year.
As I have already said, Cope will, however, support this Budget Vote.
Mr M JOHNSON: Chairperson, this is one area among the many that does not need any political gamesmanship at all. Food must be produced and everybody must agree with that fact. The ANC and the committee on agriculture, forestry and fisheries are in synch with the Budget Vote of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
South Africa needs food that is safe and sufficient to feed its own people. This budget enjoins us to do just that and more.
We are mindful of the fact that 0,4% of the total R9 007 billion is not enough to cover all the programmes required to have safe and secure food in our country. As spelt out in the 2003 declaration of the African Union summit at Maputo, all member countries had to increase their agriculture budgets to no less than 10% of their total budgets by 2008. We as the ANC, however, are confident that, with little, we can do more towards the eradication of poverty.
To do so, we are aware that, among other things, our programmes would need to address stock theft, tariff reduction and subsidies. These are the sore points in the field of agriculture. The ANC, regardless of all those inconveniences, supports Budget Vote 25, and its implementation under the able leadership of Comrade Tina Joemat-Pettersson. Amandla! [Power!
Hon MEMBERS: Awethu! [Applause.
Vote No 26 - Communications - put.
Mr M A NHANHA: Chairperson, Cope welcomes the decision by the SABC Board to withdraw the appointment of Mr Phil Molefe, who is a known sympathiser of the ANC. We, therefore, congratulate the SABC Board for taking this bold step.
Not enough has been done to champion broadband access to the people of South Africa. Hon Minister, we insist that your department take up this matter very seriously, so that all of our people can have access to the knowledge highway. This is vital in pursuing a people-centred and development-oriented paradigm. We must empower the people to empower themselves. This department should create a new infrastructure highway. Cope would want to urge the Minister to make a move in this regard. Cope will not support this Vote. Thank you.
Mr S E KHOLWANE: Chairperson, the ANC will support this Vote. I must say, it is clear that the hon member does not understand what he is talking about. If you care about the people of South Africa, you must agree with this budget because in order to roll out the broadband, you will need a spectrum, which is currently trapped somewhere.
The process of digital migration is going to assist us to release the spectrum, which is so much needed for social and economic development.
I will urge the member that, in future, he must attend committee meetings. I know Cope agreed with us in the committee and during the Budget debate. I hoped this time their head was still intact, but now the head has been surgically removed. Maybe this is the reason why they cannot remember what they have supported all along. The ANC supports the Vote. [Applause.
Vote agreed to (Congress of the People dissenting).
Dr C P MULDER: Chairperson, on a point of order I understand that our colleague from Cope is a new member; however, it's the second Vote now where the hon member has indicated that they objected and would not support the Vote. Still, they did not object and they did not ask for a division. [Laughter.] I would suggest that the Chairperson assist the hon member in order to facilitate the proceedings. Thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): Are you assisting the hon member Hon member, have you been doing that exactly; it is true?
Mr M A NHANHA: I've just raised my hand, Chairperson, to register our objection.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): You should stand up, go to the microphone and then say: "On behalf of the party I want my objection to be noted or recorded." So is it recorded Thanks, your objection is recorded, but the Vote is agreed to?
An HON MEMBER: Chairperson, is it parliamentary to conduct induction in the House [Laughter.?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): We did inductions at the beginning of the Fourth Parliament! [Interjections.
An HON MEMBER: That party is leaderless now.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): But let's proceed with the work.
Vote No 27 - Economic Development - put.
Dr P J RABIE: Chairperson, the DA is concerned about the number of Ministries created by the fourth Parliament. Apart from the escalation in costs with regard to the already overburdened fiscus, there are substantial overlaps and duplications between the functions of Finance, the National Planning Commission, Trade and Industry, and Economic Development.
Up to now, the Department of Economic Development has achieved nothing of value except to fund a bureaucracy which became necessary to appease a faction within the ruling party. Current legislation is very clear that the functions to be performed by the Department of Economic Development are adequately covered by the National Treasury and the Department of Trade and Industry.
All the establishment of this department has achieved is the intensification of the present turf war amongst the numerous departments. This has resulted in conflicting signals to investors and the market. If it's left unchecked, it will further undermine the ability of our economy to grow and provide decent work.
Therefore, the DA does not support this Budget Vote, and we recommend the closure of this department. Thank you. [Applause.
Mrs E M COLEMAN: Chairperson, the ANC supports Vote No 27. The DA's call for a division on this Vote is countered by the ANC because it is premised upon wrong assumptions and a misunderstanding of what the aims of this Vote are.
Irrespective of continual and numerous explanations by the Minister, the President and the cluster itself, it seems that the DA is not ready to accept what the President has come up with - unless it came from them; that's the only time they will accept that there needs to be change.
The aim of this particular department is to address the critical gaps in the implementation of economic development strategies and plans within the three spheres of government and the private sector because that co-ordination is needed.
Problems related to inconsistencies and a lack of a common strategic view in respect of the interface between macro and micro economic plans across the key stakeholders in society have been identified by economists as having detrimental effects on implementation, and ultimately on the overall economic development of the country.
The Department of Economic Development is a critical capacity in building a developmental state. It is capable of fostering integrated development planning and interfaces the macro and micro economic policies; guides effective implementation; and promotes continuous monitoring and evaluation. So, this is very necessary for our economy to grow. Thank you. [Time expired.
Vote No 28 - Energy - put.
Mr S C MOTAU: Chairperson, the DA has welcomed the establishment of the new Department of Energy under Minister Dipuo Peters. The DA has long called for a stand-alone Ministry. We believe that this will facilitate progress and the ability to meet set targets.
However, during the Portfolio Committee on Energy's interaction with the department's budget and strategic plan for the next three years, we expressed certain reservations that the department has promised to address. Amongst them were issues identified by the department that have retarded progress towards the goal to reach the targeted one million solar water heaters in households by 2014.
The Minister has said that this target will be met. The DA will be watching its progress, or the lack thereof, like a hawk. In this regard, I would like to alert the Minister that we are aware of the fact that the target date has somehow shifted from 2013 to 2014, making the five-year term a moving target. This deadline cannot be moved if the demand-side management targets are to be met.
The department has also committed itself to establishing a buying office, an independent sales and marketing office, to break Eskom's monopolistic hold on the buying and selling of electricity in the country and to facilitate the participation of independent power producers in the electricity generation arena. This office should as quickly as possible move out of Eskom, as the Ministry has assured us it would.
The process to produce the Integrated Resource Plan 2, IRP2, seems to be turning sour. The Minister should be aware that we are getting worrying reports that Eskom is hijacking the process for its own narrow interests. This should be stopped as it will negatively impact on the credibility of the report.
This process has not been put in place for the interests of Eskom but for the country's energy security over the next 20 years. We dare not fluff this process through procedural failures. The DA has already made the point that the department's budget is quite stretched, and we welcome the commitment by senior managers to doing more with less. Thus, we support the Budget Vote. [Time expired.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): Hon member Poho, before you speak - and this is nothing personal against you - part of our duties as presiding officers is to protect the decorum of this House. The way you are dressed today is not dignified and honourable like all other hon members are. [Applause.
In future, when you come to the House, take into consideration its decorum and the respect it deserves in the nation and amongst hon members here. You may proceed with your debate.
Mr P D MBHELE: Chairperson, the last time I checked, it was acceptable to wear a traditional shirt. I don't know if that has changed.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): Hon member, it's obviously open to interpretation. I don't see tradition, although you say you are traditional. Let's be decent and be respectful to the decorum of the House and that's it. Let's not argue about whether you are traditional today or not.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF POLICE: Chairperson, is it acceptable to wear an overall in the House?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): I have addressed the matter. But in future people must know that powers are there to throw you out of the House to go and dress appropriately.
I'm not applying those powers now. I am reminding members to respect the decorum of the House and be decent. You may proceed, hon member.
Mr P D MBHELE: Chairperson, the recent electricity hikes that were imposed on consumers will have far reaching effects and the brunt of this burden will be felt by the poor and the middle class.
Increasingly more people will not be able to afford electricity. For years, corporations paid less for the electricity than it cost to generate it. Now ordinary people must carry the cost.
The issue of Hitachi and Chancellor House has been raised many times in Parliament, but the ruling party is still putting profit before ethical conduct. Cope is also dismayed that only R36 million has been set aside for renewable energy when that is the path to the future.
This department is not earnest about achieving its target of generating 10 000 GWh of electricity from renewable sources by 2013. For these reasons, Cope will not support the Budget Vote.
Mr L W GREYLING: Chairperson, I have decided to discard colonial traditions, and, therefore, I'm not wearing a tie. Hopefully, you will not kick me out. The ID is forced to rise in objection to the Budget Vote on Energy. We do this because we believe that this department should be taking the lead in setting a progressive agenda for our energy future over the next 20 years.
Instead, what we have witnessed is that the capacity of this department has not been adequately built and it is woefully understaffed. Key priorities like energy efficiency, which should be one of our greatest national priorities, is being driven by a National Energy Efficiency Agency, NEEA, with a staff component of only two people and no money to drive the actual programmes.
The much-needed integrated energy plan, which the department is supposed to have drawn up in terms of the National Energy Act, is also way behind schedule as there was previously no budget allocated to set up the modelling capacity in the department.
Instead, the department is trying to fast-track a second integrated resource plan for the country with very little time being given for public consultation or proper modelling of all the different parameters as stipulated in the National Energy Act.
We cannot develop a plan for our energy future over the next 20 years in such a manner. It is for this reason that the ID feels compelled to object to this Budget Vote until such time as we feel confident that the Department of Energy is sufficiently empowered and committed to developing energy plans and policies that are truly in the best interest of all South Africans. I thank you.
Mrs E THABETHE: Chairperson, I agree with some of the issues raised by members in terms of underfunding for the department. With regard to the Integrated Resource Plan 1, IRP1, the department briefed us. They apologised to the committee for not informing us on time.
The Integrated Resource Plan 2, IRP2, was supposed to be discussed by the committee in June, but due to the World Cup it has been changed to July. Hon Greyling wrote a letter to me to which I responded and said that we were waiting to put that on the committee's programme. I am sure that he likes to grandstand in any way.
If we are serious about renewable energy in terms of the challenges of climate change, we would support this Budget Vote. We believe that what is in the strategic plan talks exactly to what he is raising. As members, we were able to engage the department. We stated our disagreements with them. At the end of the day, we said that we will do our oversight work and make sure that they deliver according to the strategic plan.
In this regard, as a country we are forced to deal with renewable energy. With this budget we believe that they will try to do what they can. It was said in the committee that they will try to do more with the little money that they have. This is a new department; we need to give them space.
With regard to what the President has mentioned about the Independent Power Projects, IPPs, they are going to deal with that. We hope that we will be able to take them forward and do oversight work on whether or not they have done so. The energy that members have is good, but we must be able to exercise it in the right way. We support the Budget Vote. [Applause.
Vote agreed to (Congress of the People and Independent Democrats dissenting).
Vote No 29 - Environmental Affairs - put and agreed to.
Vote No 30 - Human Settlements - put and agreed to.
Vote No 31 - Mineral Resources - put.
Adv H C SCHMIDT: Chairperson, proceedings at the public hearings of the Portfolio Committee on Mining this morning illustrate exactly why the DA cannot support the budget. The ANC Youth League, represented by Julius Malema, pleaded for the nationalisation of the mining sector.
He furthermore, on behalf of the ANC Youth League - and, by the way, the ANC as well - indicated that this issue had been discussed at the level of the National Executive Committee of the ANC and that a workshop had been held to facilitate the implementation of this process of nationalisation.
Maybe the ANC should indicate to us what's coming. The causes of these extreme and displaced arguments are clear. They emanate from a failure by government to ensure that the Department of Mineral Resources effectively monitors and ensures compliance with the various laws and policies adopted by Parliament.
The failure by the department to ensure implementation of the BEE requirements, affirmative action, the social labour plans required by the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, and compliance with the Mine Health and Safety Act, has led to a failure of government policy. This, apparently, is also the view of the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources which seems to have upheld it; hence the so-called need for supporting the state-owned mining company and the nationalisation of the mines.
It is therefore imperative that the department implements these decisions contained in the Mining Charter, as agreed to by the mining industry, the unions and government. As such, we cannot support the Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.
Mr M F GONA: Chairperson, the ANC definitely supports this Budget Vote. The reasons advanced by the DA for objecting to this Budget Vote are very unclear, because the proceedings today - the public hearings that we convened today - have nothing to do with compliance enforcement by the department. They have nothing to do with this Budget Vote.
The public hearings today are an initial attempt to address serious issues in the country, such as the rising levels of poverty, unemployment and joblessness of our people in the country.
The country has been declared to be the world's wealthiest country in terms of mineral resources, yet the inequality levels are on the rise. Now we are looking at a solution, because it is not sustainable to have mineral wealth that is acknowledged worldwide, but, at the same time, have citizens of the country that continue to be poor. Therefore, let us not use different reasons.
We, in the portfolio committee, including the DA, acknowledge the fact that this department is new and that it has been established within the shortest space of time, to the extent that it had an unqualified audit report from the Auditor-General.
Therefore there are no substantial reasons for this Budget Vote not to be supported. We need to support it. We will come back to deliberate on the establishment of the state-owned mining company and, at that stage, the DA must raise its views. I thank you, Chair. [Applause.
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Chairman, I must apologise, sir. I was so in captivated by the hon Radebe and hon Manuel sitting there eating while the rest of us are so hungry [Laughter.] that I forgot to stand up, sir, and I apologise. The DA would like its objection to be recorded.
Vote No 32 - Rural Development and Land Reform - put.
Mr M M SWATHE: Chairperson, the DA is concerned that the government is not fulfilling its constitutional mandate because it is not budgeting adequately for land reform and rural development. The R6,7 billion is too little to fully execute the department's mandate.
The department signed commitments and contracts with landowners worth over R3 billion. It allocated a mere R1,5 billion to the land restitution programme. Effectively, the land restitution programme can only use R800 million to buy farms. The department has shifted its focus from land restitution to land reform and rural development.
The restitution of land rights is a pillar of the Constitution to address land rights issues and, if it is not addressed urgently, it may cause havoc. The DA, therefore, is very concerned that the government is not honouring its commitment to priorities. Rural development and land reform remain on the back burner, and is not one of government's top priorities in terms of budget allocation.
The DA, in its alternative budget, recommended to government that it increase the budget by R3 billion. The government failed to increase the budget. The DA, therefore, will not support the Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.
Mrs M A A NJOBE: Chairperson, Cope seriously favours reviewing the current land tenure system during this Medium-Term Strategic Framework period. This must be done through rigorous engagement with all South Africans, so that the tenure system will satisfy the aspirations of all South Africans irrespective of race, gender or class.
The need to prioritise land reform and rural development is obvious. Land is a fundamental national asset. Used well and fairly, land can be a launching pad for the equitable wealth of a nation. It was never by mistake that the primary aim of the conquest of the past was to acquire land. It therefore should surprise no one that land will play a central role in the reversal of such injustices.
Land is not only an asset for food security, but also a deeply emotive issue, as it is part of the self-definition of a people. It is this tightrope that our processes of rural development and land reform must seek to walk.
Cope supports the department in wanting to achieve its objectives, such as aggressively implementing land reform policies, stimulating agricultural production with a view to contributing to food security, promoting rural development, and so on.
It is a fact that our rural poverty is a result of policies that, over centuries, deliberately sought to impoverish our people in order to use them as a source of cheap labour. This fundamental injustice of the past has to be reversed and rural life must be transformed without delay. A proper and meaningful distribution of land must be undertaken at once. The major disgruntlement of the people must be properly and expeditiously addressed.
Lastly, in each area, through the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, the CRDP, rural communities themselves must become central to their own development. This must be our aim. Cope trusts that the Minister will try to achieve the objectives of this department with single-mindedness and deep passion. Cope will support this Budget Vote. [Time expired.
Mnr P J GROENEWALD: Agb Voorsitter, daar is net een ding waaroor ek sekerheid wil hê, die DA het netnou met die agb Minister van Polisie baklei, en nou sien ek die agb Minister van Polisie gee vir die agb Ellis sjokolade daar agter u. [Gelag.] Dit is nou amper soos 'n kattegeveg. Ek weet nie of hulle vry of baklei nie! [Gelag.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.
[Mr P J GROENEWALD: Hon Chairperson, there is only one thing I want certainty about - just now the DA fought with the hon Minister of Police and now I see the hon Minister of Police giving chocolates to the hon Ellis there behind you. [Laughter.] It is almost like a cat fight. I do not know whether they are courting or fighting! [Laughter.
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Chairman, on a point of order: the hon member of the FF Plus is not telling the truth, sir. The hon Minister said he was going to give me some chocolate and then withdrew it at the last minute, so I didn't get it. [Laughter.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr K O Bapela): But I saw you chewing something, so I wonder what you were chewing. [Laughter.
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Chairman, that was with the compliments of the hon Trevor Manuel, who is an outstanding chap and I like him very much indeed. [Laughter.
Mnr P J GROENEWALD: Voorsitter, ek het baie respek vir die agb lid, maar hy klink nou soos Horwood na wie daar netnou verwys was. [Gelag.
Om by die debat uit te kom, ek wil vir die agb Minister sê dat grond 'n baie sensitiewe aangeleentheid is. Dit is 'n emosionele aangeleentheid na beide kante, maak nie saak na watter kant toe ons praat nie.
Ek wil graag 'n beroep op u doen: u het in u begrotingsdebat gesê u erken die reg op private besit, maar skaars 'n week daarna sê u in die media dat u persoonlik saamstem dat die beloftes wat gemaak is in die "struggle" deur die ANC, naamlik dat grond genasionaliseer moet word, ook u persoonlike standpunt is.
Agb Minister, in regsterme sê ons dis contradictio in terminis. U skep totale verwarring. Die grondeienaars vra, "Maar kan ons die agb Minister vertrou" Vandag sê hy in sy debat dat hy probeer sekerheid skep, maar daarna kom praat hy met 'n ander benadering en in 'n ander taal?
U moet daardie sekerheid skep en ek wil vir die agb Minister sê voordat die VF Plus nie daardie sekerheid het nie kan ons u nie in die begroting ondersteun nie. Sorg dat daardie plase wat alreeds toegeken is produktief raak, dan sal dit tot voordeel van Suid-Afrika wees.
Ons sal nie hierdie begrotingspos ondersteun nie. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.
[Mr P J GROENEWALD: Chairperson, I have a lot of respect for the hon member, but he now sounds like Horwood to whom reference was made earlier. [Laughter.
To turn to the debate, I want to tell the hon Minister that land is a very sensitive issue. It is an emotional issue for both sides, it does not matter to which side we are talking to.
I would like to make an appeal to you: during your Budget Vote debate you said that you acknowledge the right to private ownership, but not even a week after that, you said in the media that you personally agree with the promises made by the ANC during the struggle, namely that land should be nationalised, and that this is also your personal viewpoint.
Hon Minister in legal terms we call this contradictio in terminis. You are creating total confusion. The landowners are asking, "But can we trust the hon Minister" Today, in his debate he is saying that he is trying to create certainty, but after that he is talking with a different approach and in a different language?
You must create that certainty and I want to tell the hon Minister that unless we as the FF Plus have that certainty, we cannot support you in this budget. Ensure that farms that have already been allocated become productive, and then this will be to the advantage of South Africa.
We will not support this Budget Vote. I thank you.
Mr P S SIZANI: Chairperson, the ANC supports this budget, as it translates the 2010-11 and 2012-13 strategic plans of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform into programmes to build vibrant, equitable and sustainable communities in the vast hinterland of South Africa, where the vast majority of our citizens live.
Further, we do so in full confidence that our communities in these areas believe that the ANC-led government leads this department with integrity; unlike the hon member from the FF Plus who claims that the Minister says one thing today and wakes up and says something else tomorrow, simply because he did not get the explanation he was looking for. We don't run the country by scaring people; we run the country by being certain of every step we take.
There is no nationalisation policy, hon member. The Green Paper will explain the processes that the government and the ANC will take in sorting this out - I repeat - in sorting out the smash-and-grab policies of previous regimes, from that of colonialism in 1652 until now.
We will sort this out, because there will be certainty at long last for everybody who holds a piece of paper and calls it his "freehold title". Why Because today we are calling upon those people who hold that title - ill-begotten title - to come forward so that, once and for all, they have certainty that this document belongs to them and that the piece of land that they hold belongs to them. [Time expired.] [Applause.?
Mr M J ELLIS: Chairperson, I'm thoroughly enjoying myself. We would like to call for a division.
Vote No 33 - Science and Technology - put and agreed to.
Vote No 34 - Tourism - put.
Ms M R SHINN: Mr Chairperson, while the DA supports this budget, we do so with reservations. The total amount allocated by the Treasury is insufficient for this department's main task, which is to market South Africa to the world's tourists.
Tourism generates considerable profits for the fiscus. The marketing initiatives of South African tourism helped contribute R173,9 billion to the economy last year. For the past six years, this ANC government has encouraged the hospitality industry to invest untold millions of rands in expanding their operations to ensure they could capitalise on the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Tourism, they told us, would be the major money spinner this year and beyond, but at this crucial moment, this government has cut SA Tourism's budget by 20% this year, and during the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, by a total of R160 million, funds previously earmarked to exploit the positive exposure from the World Cup. Any first-year marketing student will tell you that this is precisely the time when SA Tourism should be increasing its marketing spend.
To properly resource SA Tourism would require an amount less than one-tenth of one per cent of our current national Budget. South Africa can easily afford this when it is viewed against the potential revenue this sector is expected to generate. We urge the department, as we did during the Budget debate, to reprioritise its inadequate allocation of funds to ensure SA Tourism is properly funded. This is essential if the industry is to get its deserved return on World Cup-inspired investment.
Mr D M GUMEDE: Hon Chairperson, the ANC supports the budget of the Department of Tourism and in doing so, notes concerns around the reduction of the budget in line with our national response to the global recession, and believes that the exposure from the 2010 Fifa World Cup will more than compensate for this. Therefore it is confident that the industry will generate more jobs, more sustainable livelihoods, particularly in the rural areas, thus increasing their share of growth in the GDP for the benefit of all. The ANC supports this Budget Vote. I thank you.
Vote No 35 - Trade and Industry-put.
Mr G P D MACKENZIE: Chairperson, the biggest issue in South Africa is unemployment. The great job losses during the recent financial crisis have been devastating. However, it would be unfair to blame this unemployment solely on the department. This department has the ability as well as the resources to address this issue on a large scale. There are millions of underemployed people walking the streets reduced to begging. These are people with some sort of skill that can be used within the industrial sector.
In the Minister's words, the programmes of his department must interface with the range of social and economic development strategies across all spheres of government. Therefore the R2,4 billion training lay-off scheme must now become active to start employing those who lost their jobs during the recession.
In addition, while Cope is supportive of the help being offered to companies in distress, we want the Minister to ensure that these companies, indeed, have long-term prospects and are therefore deserving of support. One area in which we can certainly emulate the Asian markets is in stimulating domestic sales by offering buyers subsidies for the purchase of durable consumer products fully manufactured in South Africa.
Cope wants to encourage government to provide for eco-housing, co-ownership, co-housing and modular housing to keep the construction sector busy. We should strive to build a developmental state which is democratic, people-driven and people-centred. Cope will support the Vote. Thank you.
Prof B TUROK: Chair, I would like to say that it is a pity that the hon member from Cope has been absent from the portfolio committee meetings. I see they are nearly all absent here now, for some reason I do not know. We can only speculate.
Let me say right away that this Department of Trade and Industry is one of the most dynamic and innovative of all the departments. They have come forward with an industrial policy programme which should make a huge difference to our industrial capacity. Can one ask the question: What would South Africa be like without a substantial manufacturing industry That is the job of this department?
They have launched a programme, and they are doing everything they can to get it moving. So, it is not a welfare department, and therefore subsidising consumer goods is the wrong approach. Subsidies can go to the manufacturing industry where they innovate, build new capacity, and make South Africa proud. We really do not want subsidies for consumers. That is the way of a welfare state, which is not the direction that we want to take. The ANC supports this particular Vote. Thank you.
Vote No 36 - Transport-put.
Mr S B FARROW: Chair, I think next year we are going to reverse the order of these Votes and start from Vote 37 upwards. When our study group looked at this department's Vote for 2010, we were in two minds as to whether to support it or not. Regretably, the consensus was that we oppose it and wait and see whether some of the positive signals that the Minister made in his budget speech become a reality.
It is now a well-known fact that the road infrastructure has been underfunded for many years now, resulting in many of our roads being in a state of disrepair. This has happened despite the continued efforts by the DA to get National Treasury to increase its allocation to the department through the creation of a dedicated road maintenance fund from the general fuel levy.
Now that this fund is a reality, it is incumbent upon the Minister to ensure a regular supply of funds flowing into it in order to gradually eliminate the backlogs which stand between R75 billion and R100 billion, and, at the same time, to improve access to basic services for many rural communities. The promised R3 billion injection over three years is a good start, but, clearly, it is below the needs.
The same can be said of our rail networks and rolling stock. Our economy cannot grow on the foundation of a deteriorating infrastructure. Massive investments are needed and where applicable and appropriate the private sector must be included to alleviate the fiscal drain that would result if these backlogs are funded solely from state coffers.
Public transport subsidisation is a necessity in a developing country such as ours, and with the massive World Cup spend in this area over the past three years, we have now been left with more mouths to feed in the way of Bus Rapid Transit systems, BRTs, buses and the recapitalised taxi fleet. Looking for additional funds is therefore very important if we are not going to go cap in hand again next year. So, the department must come up with a model that looks at subsidising the commuter as opposed to the system presently in use which is open to inefficiencies and abuse.
Finally, a serious look must be taken at the transfers going out into the hands of some of the department's agencies, which pay huge salary bills, and give little back in return, yet ask for more and more funds each year to undertake their mandates. Put these few things right, Minister, and you will get our support, but until then, you will have to live with the DA opposing your Vote, once more.
Ms N R BHENGU: Chairperson, it is interesting for the DA to agree with the ANC in terms of the Road Maintenance Fund. It is an initiative of the ANC, the problem was identified by the ANC, we initiated that debate and we are implementing that programme.
Thina-ke singuKhongolose asikhulumeli ukujabulisa abantu, silungisa okudinga ukulungiswa futhi sincome okwenziwe. Uma sibuka isabiwozimali zoMnyango Wezokuthutha sibhekisisa ukuhambela kwezidingo zezokuthutha nesabiwozimali esinikezwa uMnyango. Uma isabelo sisincane siyasho ukuthi sincane isabelo futhi izidingo zinkulu.
Sibuka ukusetshenziswa kwemali ngendlela okuyiyo, ukuhleleka ngendlela ehambisanayo kwezinhlelo zoMnyango nezezinhlaka ezisebenza ngaphansi koMnyango, ukuthuthuka kwezimpilo zabantu nokwezokunotha ngenxa yezinhlelo nokusetshenziswa kwemali uMnyango Wezokuthutha. Uhlelo lukaKhongolose kwezokuthutha luqonde ukwehlisa imali yokuhamba kwabantu nezimpahla, ukwehlisa isikhathi sokuhamba, ukuxhumanisa okokuhamba ngomgwaqo, ngezitimela nangezindiza ukuze kwenziwe ukuthi ezokuthutha ziphephe futhi zithembeke.
Uhlelo lwezokuthutha kulelizwe lucace bha njengezinqe zeselele, ngakho uKhongolose akanaso isizathu sokungaseseki isabiwomali soMnyango Wezokuthutha. Isiphukuphuku kuphela esingebone ukuthi ungakanani umsebenzi owenziwe uhulumeni kaKhongolose, owokwakha izikhumulo zezindiza, imigwaqo, imizila yezitimela nako konke okwenziwe uMnyango Wezokuthutha ukulungiselela u-2010 okuyosala kuyifa labantu baseNingizimu Afrika iminyaka ezayo. UKhongolose uyaseseka isabiwomali soMnyango Wezokuthutha. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.
We as the ANC do not speak to please people; we correct what needs to be corrected and appreciate what has been done. If we look at the budget of the Department of Transport, we look at its service delivery and the budget allocated to it. If the allocation is too small, we say so and that more needs to be done.
We look at whether the money is spent accordingly, and that the organisation is in line with the structures that work under it. We also look at socioeconomic development brought about by the programmes and the way in which the Department of Transport spends its money. The ANC's programme for the transport industry is aimed at reducing money and time spent on travelling in respect of people and goods, and to integrate road transport, trains and aeroplanes in order to make transport safe and reliable.
The way in which the transport system of this country operates is very clear, therefore the ANC has no reason not to support the Budget Vote of the Department of Transport. Only a foolish person will not see how much work has been done by the government of the ANC, with regard to the building of airports, roads, and railway lines. This the Department of Transport has done in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup which will remain a legacy for the people of South Africa in some years to come. The ANC supports the Budget Vote for the Department of Transport. [Applause.
Vote No 37-Water Affairs-put.
Mr G R MORGAN: Chair, it goes without saying that the water sector is underfunded in South Africa. That is not the reason the DA opposes this budget. There are several other departments which could do with more funds. The problem with the Department of Water Affairs is that its outcomes are poor, its long-term planning is abysmal, and its ability to enforce the provisions of the National Water Act is weak.
There is a skills crisis in this department, and no discernable plan to fill the vacancies, despite the commitments of the Water Sector Leadership Group. Over 200 posts for civil engineers are vacant, which is about two thirds of the full complement needed. Notably, the director-general of this department has been on special leave, on full pay, for more than 10 months now, with no end in sight.
While the acid mine drainage below the city of Johannesburg rises by 15 metres a month and while acid mine drainage is already decanting into the Tweelopiespruit, the department has, at best, come up with short-term solutions, albeit very tenuous ones, to deal with the disaster that acid mine drainage will cause in Gauteng and the surrounding provinces. Despite the first warnings of acid mine drainage problems emerging more than a decade ago, there is still no acceptable response to it. Added to that, more than 100 mines in South Africa are still operating without water licences and hence, are in transgression of the National Water Act.
While we welcome the earmarked funds for enforcement and compliance, and eagerly await the results, it is simply woeful that there are only 14 accredited Blue Scorpions in South Africa. The number of transgressions by municipalities when it comes to the discharge of sewage into the environment is substantial and growing. There is no doubt that we are facing localised water quality crises. Madibeng municipality and the sewer that the Hartbeespoort Dam has become is just one example.
The enforcement protocols by this department are weak and must be improved, but that will require political will. Who will step up to the plate We will see over the coming year. The DA does not support this Budget Vote?
Ms M M SOTYU: Chairperson, it is obvious that the ANC supports the Budget Vote of this important commodity, water, which gives life to the people of South Africa, including the DA.
We acknowledge the challenges raised by the DA, but the DA knows very well that there are mechanisms that have been put in place by the department to address some of these challenges. On the issue of the director-general's suspension...
lithanda izindaba leli lungu [... this member is inquisitive...
and knows very well that we did get a progress report from the Minister a month ago and we know exactly how far that report is at this moment.
On the issue of the vacancies in the department, you know, Chair, as well as we do that the challenge we are faced with in that department is that of scarce skills: design engineers, construction engineers, technical engineers, and so forth. The problem that we are faced with is for these vacancies.
The responses that we get...
ngenxa yengcindezelo kolwabo uhlangothi [... because of the pressure on their side...
are people that were advantaged to have those courses in previous years. It is white males who apply for these vacancies. I do not know if there is a better word to describe white males. In respect of disadvantaged communities, that is the graduates from our own community, the department took a decision that they are going to invite all these graduates into the department so that there will be shadow engineers within the department...
basebenze namaxhegu ahleli phaya angafuni ukuphuma [... who would be working with older people who do not want to retire...
so that they should transfer their skill to these young, previously disadvantaged students. [Time expired.] The ANC supports this Budget Vote.
Schedule put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
The House adjourned at 20:44.
Legislative proposal to repeal the South African Boxing Act, No 11 of 2001 (Mr T D Lee).
Referred to the Committee on Private Members' Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions for consideration and report.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on the South African Gender Barometer Project - 2009.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on the Gender in the Curriculum - 2007.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on Widowhood Rites and Rights - 2008.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on Threads of Pain and Resilience - 2008.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) in the Private Sector- December 2008.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on the National Dialogue on Elections 2009.
Research Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on the Victims' Charter - February 2009.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on the National Monitoring Election - 2009.
General Notice No 313 published in Government Gazette No 33116 dated 16 April 2010: Regulations: Proper administration of the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site: Invitation to submit written representations on or objections to the draft regulations, in terms of the World Heritage Convention Act, 1999 (Act No 49 of 1999).
Government Notice No R.259 published in Government Gazette No 33072 dated 31 March 2010: Regulations: Fees for the provision of aviation meteorological services, in terms of the South African Weather Service Act, 2001 (Act No 8 of 2001).
Draft amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations: Listing Notice 1: List of activities and competent authorities identified in terms of sections 24(2) and 24D of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No 107 of 1998).
Draft amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations: Listing Notice 2: List of activities and competent authorities identified in terms of sections 24(2) and 24D of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No 107 of 1998).
Draft amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations: Listing Notice 3: List of activities and competent authorities identified in terms of sections 24(2) and 24D of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No 107 of 1998).
Draft amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations: Environmental Management Framework Regulations of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No 107 of 1998).
Draft amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations: Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations under sections 24(5), 24M and 44 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No 107 of 998).
Report of the South African delegation to the 26th session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum held in Zimbabwe from 18 to 27 November 2009. Report available on the parliamentary website: www.parliament.gov.za.
Referred to the Parliamentary Group on International Relations for consideration.
Legal Practice Bill, 2010, submitted by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.
Referred to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development and the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development.
General Report of the Auditor-General on the National Audit Outcomes for 2008-09 [RP 173-2009].
A letter dated 4 May 2010 has been received from the Minister of Science and Technology, informing the House that she has appointed, from the shortlist approved by the National Assembly on 20 August 2009 and in accordance with section 5 of the Human Sciences Research Council Act (No 17 of 2008), Dr B O Tema to replace Prof S Zinn and Prof T Pillay to replace Prof P Naidoo as board members of the Human Sciences Research Council.
Referred to the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology.
Government Notice No R. 293 published in Government Gazette No 33112 dated 13 April 2010: Appointment of an Authorised Dealer in Foreign Exchange with Limited Authority, in terms of the South African Reserve Bank Act, 1989 (Act No 90 of 1989).
Government Notice No R. 283 published in Government Gazette No 33103 dated 16 April 2010: Amendment of Rules (DAR/69), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
Government Notice No R. 340 published in Government Gazette No 33140 dated 30 April 2010: Amendment of Rules (DAR/70), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
Government Notice No 52 published in Government Gazette No 32898 dated 29 January 2010: Levies on Fish and Fish Products, in terms of the Sea Fishery Act, 1988 (Act No 12 of 1988).
Government Notice No 53 published in Government Gazette No 32898 dated 29 January 2010: Fishing Harbour Fees, in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No 18 of 1998).
Framework for performance management system for Icasa chairperson and councillors, submitted for consultation in terms of section 6A of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act (No 13 of 2000).
Submission of the Financial and Fiscal Commission on the Division of Revenue Bill for 2011-2012, tabled in terms of section 9(1) of the Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations Act, 1997 (Act No 97 of 1997).
Report of the Public Service Commission (PSC) on an Assessment of the State of Human Resource Management in the Public Service - November 2009 [RP 33-2010].
Progress report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the Petition regarding the situation at Unitra Community Radio, dated 11 May 2010.
A petition regarding the situation at Unitra Community Radio, submitted in terms of Rule 312 by Dr Z Luyenge, was referred to the Portfolio Committee on Communications on Wednesday, 10 March 2010.
The Petitioners who are members of OR Tambo community working for the Unitra Community Radio Station, which is situated at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU), Nelson Mandela Drive raised a dissatisfaction with the way in which the radio station is managed by Mr Mbulelo Mneno and Mr Xabendlini, who claims to be the Acting Station Manager as well as Mr Yolelo who said he is a Member of the Management Board of the Station.
Messrs Mneno and Yolelo were elected in absentia and were not known by the community of Mthatha. Their election was influenced by a group of people who conspired with Mr Xabendlini and now no longer support him because of his dishonesty and fraudulence.
A charge sheet has been drafted by the Compliance Unit for the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) to consider convening a hearing in respect of the contraventions on matters of statutory obligations.
A letter has been written to the Unitra Community Radio Station Manager requesting a register and minutes of the meeting where a resolution was taken to adopt a revised Constitution.
The due process is still taking its course in line with the procedures.
The Committee will be informed of any further developments.
Government Notice No R. 269 published in Government Gazette No 33087, dated 9 April 2010: Amendment of Schedule No 3 (No 3/658) in terms of section 75 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
Government Notice No R. 289 published in Government Gazette No 33109, dated 13 April 2010: Correction to Notice No R. 269 in respect of an amendment to Schedule No 3 (No 3/659) in terms of section 75 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
Government Notice No R. 341 published in Government Gazette No 33140, dated 30 April 2010: Amendment to Schedule No 1 (No 1/1/1403) in terms of section 48 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
Government Notice No R. 342 published in Government Gazette No 33140, dated 30 April 2010: Amendment to Schedule No 4 (No 4/330) in terms of section 75 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
Government Notice No R. 357 published in Government Gazette No 33165, dated 7 May 2010: Correction to Notice No 1256 in respect of an amendment to Schedule No 1 (No 1/1/1404) in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
Government Notice No R. 358 published in Government Gazette No 33165, dated 7 May 2010: Amendment to Schedule No 4 (No 4/331) in terms of section 75 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
Government Notice No R. 293 published in Government Gazette No 33112, dated 13 April 2010: Appointment of authorised dealer in foreign exchange with limited authority in terms of the South African Reserve Bank Act, 1989 (Act No 90 of 1989).
Government Notice No R. 283 published in Government Gazette No 33103, dated 16 April 2010: Amendment of Rules (DAR/69) in terms of section 49 and section 120 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
Government Notice No R. 340 published in Government Gazette No 33140, dated 30 April 2010: Amendment of Rules (DAR/70) in terms of section 6 and section 120 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on Gender in the Curriculum - 2007.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) in the Private Sector - December 2008.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE): The National Dialogue on Elections 2009 & Gender Equality Report.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE): National Monitoring Election Report - 2009.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE): South African Gender Barometer Project - The State of Women Empowerment and Gender Equality.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE): Threads of Pain and Resilience - 2008.
Report of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE): Widowhood: Rites and Rights - 2008.
General Notice No 313 published in Government Gazette No 33116, dated 16 April 2010: Regulations for the proper administration of the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site: Invitation to submit written representations on, or objections to, the draft regulations made in terms of section 44(1) of the World Heritage Convention Act, 1999 (Act No 49 of 1999).
Government Notice No R.259 published in Government Gazette No 33072, dated 31 March 2010: Regulations made in terms of section 28 of the South African Weather Service Act, 2001 (Act No 8 of 2001) regarding fees for the provision of aviation meteorological services.
Government Notice No 52 published in Government Gazette No 32898, dated 29 January 2010: Levies on fish and fish products in terms of the Sea Fishery Act, 1988 (Act No 12 of 1988).
Government Notice No 53 published in Government Gazette No 32898, dated 29 January 2010: Fishing harbour fees determined in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No 18 of 1998).
Draft amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations: Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations made under sections 24(5), 24M and 44 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No 107 of 1998).
General Report of the Auditor-General on the National Audit Outcomes for 2008-09 [RP173-2009].
Report of the Public Protector on an investigation conducted in terms of section 3(1) of the Executive Members' Ethics Act, 1998 (No 82 of 1998), the President's comments thereon and action taken in regard to the report's recommendations.
2009 Tax Statistics - Joint publication of the National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service.
The Portfolio Committee on Social Development, having considered the subject of the Social Assistance Amendment Bill [B5-2010] (National Assembly - Section 76), referred to it and classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism as a section 76 Bill, reports the Bill with amendments [B5A - 2010].
The Department of Health made a presentation before the Committee on the state of readiness to implement the Harmonised Assessment Tool (HAT) and related matters. The department reported that it is not ready to implement the HAT to assess patients' eligibility for disability grants due to shortage of trained health professionals to use the HAT. The department will need to diagnose and treat patients with disabilities (as a matter course) and ensure easy access for patients to treatment for chronic illnesses. In order to provide the best care possible, there is a need to strengthen the Primary Health System in various ways. The department also reported that the key to strengthening the Primary Health Care is the provision of the primary care in an integrated manner. More time is required to improve services at Primary Health Care level and to improve access to such services.
Given the above-mentioned concerns, the Committee therefore agreed to not approve the clauses defining disability and the related clauses therewith. The Committee therefore recommends that those clauses be referred back to Cabinet for its reconsideration.
Report to be considered.