National Assembly - 29 May 2007
TUESDAY, 29 MAY 2007 __
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
____
The House met at 14:01.
The Deputy Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mr G R MORGAN: Madam Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates –
(1) the types of advertising that should not be permitted by government communicators at all spheres of government during periods leading up to elections; and
(2) whether the current GCIS regulations pertaining to advertising during election periods are sufficiently comprehensive.
Mr M WATERS: Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates Child Protection Week.
Thank you.
PASSING AWAY OF PERCIVAL SONN
(Draft Resolution)
The ACTING CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House -
1) Notes -
a) with a deep sense of sadness the passing away of Mr Percival
“Percy” Sonn on Sunday, 27 May 2007; and
b) that, at the time of his death, Mr Percy Sonn was the
president of the International Cricket Council, a position he
has held since July 2006, and also the first person from
Africa to occupy the highest office in cricket’s world
governing body;
2) recalls that -
a) Mr Sonn contributed in many ways to the reconstruction of our
country and that he served as vice president of the Western
Province Cricket Board since 1974, as president of the board
from 1990 to 1992, became president of the Western Province
Cricket Association in 1993, served as president of the
United Cricket Board of South Africa for three years up to
2003 and in July 2004 he was appointed as vice president of
the ICC before becoming president in 2006; and
b) Mr Sonn had worked as an attorney and advocate, served as
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, heading the
Directorate of Special Operations, and as a legal adviser to
the South African Police Service;
3) believes that Mr Sonn was a South African patriot who played an
important role in the democratic evolution of our country and the
integration of our cricket into the world game after the end of
apartheid; and
4) extends its condolences to his family and loved ones, Cricket South
Africa and the International Cricket Council.
Motion agreed to. CONGRATULATIONS TO RORY SABBATINI
(Draft Resolution)
Mr T D LEE: Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House -
1) extends its congratulations to Rory Sabbatini on winning the
Colonial on Sunday, 27 May 2007;
2) notes that this was his fourth victory on the PGA tour;
3) recognises that he is an inspiration to all young South African
sportsmen; and
4) wishes him well in his next tournament which will be the US Open.
Motion agreed to.
ISSUES AROUND PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS IN AFRICA
(Member’s Statement)
Ms T V TOBIAS (ANC): Deputy Speaker, the Portfolio Committee on Defence hereby applauds the United Nations and the African Union for the agreement on joining forces for the restoration of peace and security in the Darfur region of Sudan.
The Minister of Defence, hon Lekota, earlier on made mention of the fact that it is imperative that nations of the world should not shift peacekeeping responsibilities to Africa only, and this is due to the fact that it can lead to certain political ramifications if you consider the sovereignty of states as well as the fact that it carries financial implications which are not necessarily the responsibility of South Africa alone.
Peacekeeping missions should be a priority of the United Nations as it is part of the central responsibility it carries. Moreover, we as the portfolio committee will expect that the issue of equal remuneration of troops should also be on the agenda of the UN and the AU, as this matter has been on the agenda for some time, and the AU component has not been receiving equal remuneration, as is the case with the UN.
We expect that the United Nations will make sure that other countries participate in peacekeeping missions so that the African continent and its countries are not seen to be the only ones responsible for peacekeeping missions.
It is imperative for this force to make sure that those negative forces that seek to destabilise the continent are brought to book so as to ensure peace and security. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
KILLING OF PATRON DURING ROBBERY IN DURBAN
(Member’s Statement)
Mr G R MORGAN (DA): Madam Deputy Speaker, another young South African has lost his life to violent crime. On Saturday, 26 May, seven armed men held up the St Tropez restaurant in Durban. Four people sustained gunshot injuries. Another person, Marc Joubert, a school friend of mine whom I’ve known for 20 years, was killed.
There is something seriously wrong in this country when patrons cannot even enjoy a peaceful Saturday night dinner at their local restaurant without being shot at or robbed. Hon members, Marc Joubert cannot be allowed to be simply another statistic, nor can any of the 51 people who are on average murdered each day in South Africa.
At age 30, Marc ran a successful building business that employed several people. He was a prominent and popular member of the Westville community, and was due to get married to his fiancée in a few weeks’ time. Marc touched the lives of so many people. Testimony to this are the more than 180 messages of condolence left on the East Coast Radio website in the past 48 hours.
Besides the outpouring of grief, these people are angry and frustrated that the government has been unable to fight the violent crime that touches all of our lives in some way or another. None of these people believe that crime is a perception. All of them love this country, and want to contribute to its success.
I intend handing over these messages to the Minister of Safety and Security. I trust they will spur him on to redouble his efforts at bringing violent crime to an end in this country. I thank you. [Applause.]
VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS
(Member’s Statement)
Ms C N Z ZIKALALA (IFP): Madam Deputy Speaker, two separate incidents of violence in our schools over the past two weeks serve to highlight the increasing problems that we are facing with regard to criminal behaviour in our schools.
In the Western Cape, a Grade 9 pupil was stabbed to death with a pair of scissors by a classmate at a school in Eerste River on Monday. A 17-year- old boy has been arrested and will be charged with murder.
At a Durban high school in KwaZulu-Natal, last Thursday, two Grade 11 boys were beaten by fellow learners in an alleged racist attack. The parents of one of the beaten boys have called upon the education department to launch an investigation into racism at that school, and the manner in which the school has handled racism. This is the second alleged racist attack at that school in the past month.
Violent and criminal behaviour in our schools is spiralling out of control, and we all seem to be at a loss regarding how to deal with it and stop this disturbing behaviour. Drastic measures have to be taken soon if we are to save our schools from lawlessness and provide an environment that is safe and conducive to learning. The department must make this a priority. I thank you.
SALE OF MUNICIPAL LAND TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS
(Member’s Statement)
Mnu D M DLALI (ANC): Sekela-Somlomo, umba wezindlu ngomnye wemiba etshisa ebunzi, ekufuneka sisebenzisane kwaye sibambisane ngawo. Kodwa ke into engumnqa kukuba kukho oongxowa-nkulu, oosozimali, abathenga umhlaba kamasipala ngelithi baza kwakhela abantu abahluphekayo izindlu, babuye babize amaxabiso aphinda-phindeneyo ngezo zindlu, angafikelelekiyo kubantu abahluphekayo. Amaxabiso ezi zindlu ebengafikeleleka ukuba umhlaba ubungathengiswanga ngurhulumente, ngoomasipala ke ukutsho.
Kwakhona, kwa aba ngxowa-nkulu bathi bafuduse abantu ngetshova besithi: “Ngumhlaba wam lo, endiwuthenge kumasipala.” Nto leyo ebi ngena kwehla ukuba bangaba bekusetyenziswana. Abantu abahluphekileyo bathi babe ngamaxhoba oosozimali, oongxowa-nkulu ke ukutsho.
Sohlupheka kude kube nini? Igazi lethu limfimfithwa ngaba ngxowa-nkulu, abangafuniyo ukubona umasilingane nempilo engcono kumntu wonke. Kanti ke sasilwela umasilingane, impilo engcono kumntu wonke. Enkosi. (Translation of isiXhosa member’s statement follows.)
[Mr D M DLALI (ANC): Deputy Speaker, the issue of houses is one of the burning issues, for which we need to co-operate and work together. But what is amazing is that there are capitalists, fat cats, who buy the municipal land promising to build houses for the poor, and then charge double the price for those houses which the poor cannot afford. The prices of these houses would be affordable if the land was not sold by the government; the municipalities, in other words.
Again, the same capitalists forcefully remove people, saying: “This is my land, I bought it from the municipality.” That would not have happened if there was co-operation. The poor become victims of the fat cats; the capitalists, in other words.
How long must we suffer? Our blood is sucked by these capitalists, who do not want to see equality and a better life for all, whereas we are fighting for equality and a better life for all. Thank you.]
TWO POLICEMEN KILLED IN CRAWFORD
(Member’s Statement)
Rev K R J MESHOE (ACDP): Deputy Speaker, on behalf of the ACDP, I wish to convey our condolences to the families and friends of Inspector Martin van der Heyde and Student Constable Johnny Botha, who were shot and killed by burglars in Crawford yesterday.
The ACDP believes that an attack on the police, particularly those on duty, is an attack on the state itself. Therefore, it should be viewed in a very serious light.
It is sad to note that seven police officers have died in the line of duty in the Western Cape alone since the beginning of this year. We believe our police officers should be given more intensive training about how to arrest a suspect who is cornered, to ensure that they are not overpowered and then lose their firearms in the process, as happened in this last incident in Crawford. We agree with members of the Crawford community, who have called for more visible policing and active community police forums, and we trust that government will look into implementing such measures as soon as possible, and also speed up intensive training to ensure that our communities are safer and police are more effective in the execution of their duties. I thank you.
COURTS INEFFECTIVE IN APPLYING MAINTENANCE LAW
(Member’s Statement)
Ms F BATYI (ID): Deputy Speaker, with courts interpreting laws narrow- mindedly, and with poor education and inadequate legislation, our women and children continue to suffer without crucial maintenance. The responsibility of caring for a child is placed on both parents under South African law, but our women are all too often faced with the sole responsibility of maintenance. This is in spite of the 1998 Maintenance Act, which was brought in to address exactly this crisis. Sadly, however, stories continue to prevail of confusion and inadequacies in the courts, along with ineffective implementation of the law that further prolongs the pain of claimants. I have time and again encountered mothers who as a result of nonpayment of maintenance have been forced to remove their children from schools.
I personally know of a Cape Town father who, regardless of a High Court ruling, has not been paying maintenance. Subsequently, the mother of his children has had to sell the family home. I will continue to get errant men arrested, but without the government doing its bit, my efforts will remain but a drop in the ocean.
LAUNCH OF THE AGRICULTURAL HUB
(Member’s Statement)
Nom J B SIBANYONI (ANC): Sandla sikaSipikara ngilotjhisa woke amalunga ahloniphekileko. Isitatimendesi simalungana nokuhlonywa kwesentha yezeLimo eKungwini eBhronkorstspruit nguSomkhandlu wezeLimo neBhoduluko wesifunda se- Gauteng, umhlonitjhwa uKhabisi Mosonkutu nomnyango wakhe.
Sithokoza umNyango wezeLimo neBhoduluko wesifunda se-Gauteng ngejima lawo lokuhlonywa kwamasentha alikhomba wezeLimo. Enye yamasentha la, yahlonywa ekhaya labadala, iPhumula Old Age Centre koSontutununu, hlanu kweModderfontein eKungwini eBhronkorstspruit.
Siragela phambili ngokuthokoza urhulumende wesifunda se-Gauteng ngokubulala imikhumbulo engasiyo esebantwini abanengi yokobana imisebenzi yezelimo ayikho esifundeni se-Gauteng, kodwana yokobana okukhona yigolide nemakhiwo emikhulu kwaphela.
IKungwini, esiyingi seMetsweding ibalelwa hlangana nalezo eziseendaweni zemakhaya ezisebenzisa zelimo ngokudluleleko. Leli lingelinye lamahlelo ekuthuthukiswa ngawo iminqopho ye-ANC, ekwenzeni ngcono amaphilo wabantu.
Umsebenzi wezelimo sewulibubulo njenganje. Ngalokho, umkhumbulo wokobana umsebenzi wezelimo ngewabantu abangakafundi nabaqalelwa phasi, kufanele upheliswe.
I-ANC izibophelele ekwenzeni ngcono amaphilo wabantu kunesikhathi esidlulileko. Isentha le izakusetjenziselwa ukunikela ngeensetjenziswa ezahlukeneko zemisebenzi yezelimo enjengokulinywa kwehlabathi, ukufuywa kweenkukhu neemvande zemirorho.
Amano la azakusiza khulu ekurhurumejeleni emuva imikhawulo yomtlhago nokuletha ipilo engcono emnothweni wezakhamuzi zemakhaya. Isitjho seSesotho sithi: “Mme o tlile, tlala e nyele.” [Mechanisms to push back the frontiers of poverty are now in place.] [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiNdebele member’s statement follows.)
[Mr J B SIBANYONI (ANC): Deputy Speaker, I greet all hon members. This statement is about the establishment of an agricultural hub at Kungwini in Bronkhorstspruit by the Gauteng provincial MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, hon Khabisi Mosunkutu.
We thank the Gauteng provincial department for agriculture, Conservation and Environment for its current campaign in launching seven agricultural hubs. One of these was established at the Phumula Old Age Centre at Sontutununu next to Modderfontein, at Kungwini in Bronkhorstspruit.
We continue to thank the Gauteng provincial government for dealing with perceptions that there are no agriculture-related jobs in the Gauteng province but only gold and tall buildings.
Kungwini is part of Metsweding, which is rural and more dependent on agriculture. This is another ANC programme to fulfil its vision to make a better life for the people.
Agricultural work is now a business. This dispels the notion that agricultural work is classified as only for those people who are not educated and underrated. This notion must be done away with.
The ANC commits itself to making the life of the people better than before. This centre will be used to provide different types of agricultural equipment for tilling the soil, poultry and vegetable farming.
This will assist us in pushing back the frontiers of poverty and bring a better economic life to our rural communities. And the Sesotho expression: The coming of the mother at home forces hunger to exude. [Applause.]]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I think we need to revisit that expression because it is being used quite often in the House. I don’t know how parliamentary it is. Anyway, in the absence of a point of order to say that expression is unparliamentary, we will allow it to stand.
LAND REDISTRIBUTION AND RESTITUTION
(Member’s Statement)
Mr M T LIKOTSI (PAC): Deputy Speaker, this statement is about land redistribution and restitution. The PAC wants to reopen this debate on land restitution and redistribution with the view that the majority of African people who have been disadvantaged and dispossessed of their land did not get enough time to institute their land claims.
The PAC wants to put on record that the issue of land is very sensitive and since it is so sensitive, this House and this government have to apply their minds very well towards resolving this problem. [Interjections.]
The issue of nondelivery of services is not an issue, because the most important issue is the one of land that has to go back to its rightful owners. [Interjections.]
The citizens of this country are dependent on us as the legislators and leaders of this country to redress the issue of land. Thank you.
POLICE OFFICERS TARGETED BY CRIMINALS
(Member’s Statement)
Mr S SIMMONS (UPSA): Deputy Speaker, the death of two police officers in Lansdowne yesterday again highlights the issue of safety of our police officers. Police officers are at an increasing rate becoming the targets of criminals, which begs the question: Why it is that criminals have so little regard for the police force?
It shows me that criminals have convinced themselves that it is not difficult to counter the crime-fighting efforts of the police. Why is that the case? The UPSA is of the opinion that the answer lies in a multitude of issues, but the most important is government’s lame efforts to combat crime.
The problem is that, as in many other instances of government resorting to quick fixes, no thorough action plan is in existence other than the usual PR exercises. The government has acceded to calls for greater numbers of police officers to be deployed, suggesting that increasing the number of officers in itself is a solution, but the real problem is the quality of training of new recruits and their level of readiness for duty. Was the constable ready for the situation he was put in yesterday in Lansdowne? Do new recruits really know how to handle certain situations?
In conclusion, we really need to ensure that we put police officers on our streets that are sufficiently trained and thereby competent to face unscrupulous criminals. Thank you.
WORK PERMITS TO FOREIGNERS
(Member’s Statement)
Mrs S V KALYAN (DA): Deputy Speaker, despite the Commission of Employment Equity Chairman Jimmy Manyi’s bizarre assertion last week that the shortage of skills in South Africa is an urban legend, an analysis of the 2005-06 annual reports for all 26 national departments reveals that government has some 40 000 vacant posts.
The enormity of the crisis has led to calls by some members of the Cabinet to recruit engineers, doctors and teachers some abroad. But within our borders, as shown in last week’s Special Assignment on SABC3, there is already a pool of skills among asylum seekers and refugees.
However, red tape and bungling in the Department of Home Affairs choked the country’s ability to benefit from foreign expertise. Reports that less than 10% of the work permits made available last year to foreigners with scarce and priority skills were taken up, confirms the DA’s contention that the latest issuance of 35 000 work permits will not succeed unless and until the chaotic Department of Home Affairs gets its house in order.
The provision of work permit quotas for foreigners with skills and priority skills could be of great benefit to the growth of our economy. However, like any government initiative, its successful implementation will depend on the extent to which it is planned, monitored and evaluated. [Applause.]
PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE AT FENI POLICE STATION, MPUMALANGA
(Member’s Statement)
Mrs L S CHIKUNGA (ANC): Madam Deputy Speaker, the Feni Police Station is located in Mpuluzi Constituency in Mpumalanga province. It services eight rural villages with a population of about 96 000, according to 2001 census results. This police station practically introduced a community participation strategy and active involvement of other relevant departments in dealing with socioeconomic-related crimes and other crimes.
These initiatives have yielded exciting results in property crimes, including stock theft and house burglary, which have been reduced by 70%; contact crimes, including assaults and rape, which have been reduced by 65%; and the dockets backlog, which has been reduced by 85%. The staff morale is very high.
Just this previous Friday, on 25 May, in the Mpumalanga MEC’s excellency award-giving ceremony in Nelspruit, this very police station got a trophy and a certificate for being the best performing station in the Gert Sibande District with regard to crime prevention and community policing forums. How exciting!
This police station is a living example of what committed policemen and women can do and continue to do in our country. We want to congratulate the policemen and women who work in this very rural police station on the sterling work they are doing.
We, nevertheless, request the Department of Safety and Security to assist this rural but outstandingly performing police station with the building of police cells, as they currently have to transport the detainees to other police stations each time they make an arrest.
We would also like to request the department to renovate the police station, as it is poorly constructed, and to allocate more vehicles to the CPF section, as they have only one vehicle, which is of course maximally utilised. Thank you. [Applause.]
TRIBUTE TO DOUGLAS GIBSON
(Member’s Statement)
Mr J H VAN DER MERWE (IFP): Madam Deputy Speaker, on behalf of the IFP I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing Chief Whip of the DA. Mr Gibson previously served as a member of the Transvaal Provincial Council for 17 years and has been a Member of this Parliament for 16 years, of which he has served 13 years as a Chief Whip.
Douglas Gibson is therefore one of the most senior and most experienced Members of Parliament and, despite our political differences, I must say, he is a much respected politician. As Chief Whip of the DA for 13 years he played his role with professionalism, commitment and passion. We thank him for the constructive contribution that he has made to Parliament during his tenure. We look forward to seeing what role this senior frontbencher will play in future and we wish him well.
The IFP would also like to congratulate Ian Davidson on his unanimous election as the new Chief Whip of the DA. We welcome him to this very important position. We know he possesses extraordinary skills and we look forward to having a constructive relationship with him and his party, as it has been in the past.
Last but certainly not least, the IFP would like to congratulate Mike Ellis on his unanimous re-election as Deputy Chief Whip of the DA. [Interjections.] As a former school principal and a very experienced educator, coupled with his many years of parliamentary and whippery experience, Mike is an ideally suitable person to occupy this high position. We look forward to continuing our good working relationship with him and his colleagues, and we wish him well. Thank you. [Applause.]
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY TWO GAUTENG HIGH SCHOOLS
(Member’s Statement)
Nk P DANIELS (ANC): Phini likaSomlomo, endaweni yaseMidrand, Zone 15, esifundeni saseJohannesburg kunezikole zamabanga aphezulu eziyisihlanu. Zonke lezi zikole ziphumelele kahle eBangeni le-10. Kepha ezimbili kulezi zikole okukhona kuzo i-Ivory Park Secondary School ebiqala ukufundisa iBanga le-10, ziphumelele ngezinga eliphezulu kakhulu. I-Ivory Park Secondary School iphumelele ngezinga le-99,34%; iMidrand High School yathola 98,30%.
Ukukhuthaza abantwana nothisha ngomsebenzi omuhle abawenzile, singuKhongolose siye safaka isandla ngokuklomelisa lezi zikole ezimbili ngendebe engumantunta nendishi nekhompiyutha. Futhi kanjalo igatsha likaKhongolose elibizwa ngeDokt Menzi Mthwecu, liye lafaka isandla ngokuklomelisa abafundi ababili kulezi zikole ngohambo lokuvakashela eLondon. Ngiyabonga. (Translation of isiZulu member’s statement follows.)
[Ms P DANIELS (ANC): Deputy Speaker, in Midrand, at Zone 15, in the Johannesburg region, there are five high schools. All these schools produced good results for Grade 12. And two of these schools got outstanding results Ivory Park Secondary School, which was offering Grade 12 for the first time being one of them, achieved a 99,34% pass rate and Midrand High School achieved a 98,30% pass rate.
In order to reward and encourage pupils and educators for their outstanding work, the ANC lent a hand by awarding these two schools a floating trophy and a computer. And again the ANC branch, named Dr Menzi Mthwecu, sponsored a trip for two pupils from these schools to London. Thank you.]
PROTECTION OF WHISTLEBLOWERS
(Member’s Statement)
Me A M DREYER (DA): Mevrou die Adjunkspeaker, ’n forensiese ondersoek na die finansiële bestuur van die Landbank deur ’n onafhanklike span ouditeurs van Deloitte het ’n sensitiewe stadium bereik.
’n Informant van KwaZulu-Natal het belangrike inligting wat moontlike korrupsie in die Landbank ontbloot aan die DA oorhandig. Die DA het die dokumente aan die ondersoekspan deurgegee. Die informant ontvang egter dreigemente en na ’n poging om hom met ’n motor om te ry, leef hy en sy familie in vrees vir hul lewens.
Indien die regering werklik korrupsie wil uitroei, moet hy die samewerking van die burgerlike samelewing verseker. Mense sal slegs na vore kom met inligting indien die regering hulle teen intimidasie beskerm. Die Minister van Justisie kan deur sy optrede wys die regering wil korrupsie daadwerklik uitroei. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans member’s statement follows.)
[Ms A M DREYER (DA): Madam Deputy Speaker, a forensic investigation into the financial management of the Landbank by an independent team of auditors from Deloitte has reached a sensitive stage.
An informer from KwaZulu-Natal handed over important information to the DA that exposes possible corruption in the Landbank. The DA gave the documents to the investigating team. The informer, however, received threats and after an attempt to run him over with a car, he and his family are now living in fear for their lives.
If the government really wants to eradicate corruption, it should ensure the participation of civil society. People will only come forward with information if the government protects them from intimidation. The Minister of Justice can, by means of his action, show that the government really wants to eradicate corruption. [Applause.]]
SERVICE DELIVERY IN TSWELOPELE
(Member’s Statement)
Moh M F TLAKE (ANC): Ke a leboha Motlatsa-Spikara. Setatamente sena se supa phumantsho e ntle ya ditshebeletso Tswelopele District, mane Freistata, lebatoweng la Bultfontein. Mona ke pepesa katleho e kgolo e fihleletsweng ke Masepala wa Tswelopele, tlasa tsamaiso ya Mme Majoro Kenalemang le Makhanselara a hae ho tlisa bophelo bo botle setjhabeng. Lepetjo la ANC le re “Better Life for All”.
Pele ka rata ho bua ka motlakase. Ho tloha ka 2000 ho fihla hona jwale motlakase o kgantsha matlong a ka bang 96,88%; ho bolelang hore matlo ohle a kentswe motlakase.
Tabeng ya bobedi, metsi - e leng bophelo - mane Tikwane le Phahameng, metsi a hlwekileng a dipompo a bapala bana lelapeng le leng le le leng. Ena ke tshupo ya bophelo bo botle ruri. Malapa a etsang 61% a na le tsebeletso ya dikgwerekgwere. Metse ya Tikwane, Phahameng le mapolasi a e potapotileng, mahae a 9 012 a neng a sebedisa mabakete, phediso ya mabakete e kentswe matlong a 5 332.
Ena ke tshebetso e tsotehang ya mokgatlo wa ANC, ka dimasepala tsa yona, tlasa leano la “Better Life for All”.
Ha ke qetella, nkare Tswelopele District ka tlasa tsamaiso ya Majoro Mme Kenalemang, e fumane kgau ya Vuna ka 2006, mokgahlelong wa B1, boemong ba Provincial Municipal Performance Excellence. Ke yona mohlodi dimasepaleng tsa provinsi. E fumanwe e le toropo e hlwekileng ho feta ditoropo tsa Freitata kaofela. [Nako e fedile.] (Translation of Sesotho member’s statement follows.)
[Ms M F TLAKE (ANC): Thank you, Deputy Speaker. This statement is testimony to the fact that there is service delivery in the Tswelopele District, which is in the Bultfontein region in the Free State. Right here, I can proudly mention the huge success achieved by the Tswelopele Municipality - under the leadership of Mayor Mrs Kenalemang, and her councillors - of bringing a better life for all in the community. The ANC slogan reads thus: “A better life for all”.
Firstly, I would like to talk about electricity. From the year 2000 until now electricity has been supplied to about 96,88% of the houses, which means that almost all the houses have electricity.
Secondly, water, which is our source of life, is available in each and every house in Tikwane and Phahameng. This is really a sign of good life. About 61% of the homes have waste removal services. In the communities of Tikwane and Phahameng and the surrounding farms, out of about 9 012 homes which were previously using the bucket system, this practice has been terminated in about 5 332 homes.
This is really commendable work on the part of the ANC in its municipalities, in accordance with the policy of “A better life for all”.
In conclusion, I would like to say that Tswelopele District, under the leadership of Mayor, Mrs Kenalemang, won the Vuna Award in 2006 in the B1 category, in the Provincial Municipal Performance Excellence Awards. It was competing against all municipalities in the province. It was found to be the cleanest municipality amongst all the municipalities in the Free State. [Time expired.]]
LAND BANK
VIOLENCE IN SOCIETY
(Minister’s Response) The MINISTER OF FINANCE: Madam Deputy Speaker, I’m glad to see you are back in the Chair. I hope you are well and have fully recovered. I would like to respond briefly to five of the statements that were made.
Let me deal first with the statement that stands alone and relates to the issue of the Land Bank. Firstly, I want to make an appeal. Hon members know that the Minister of Justice is a woman. As far as I know, Minister Brigette Mabandla has never been a man. So, gender is an important issue.
Having said that, if we want to resolve the issues, let’s deal with the Ministries responsible. It’s fairly easy to get up and make statements. I’m sure Deputy Minister Du Toit will be able to advise that this is an ongoing matter and that the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs has just, last week, issued the instructions for the forensic order to proceed. So, let’s not dramatise issues, let’s deal with issues for what they are.
I’d like to deal also with four issues that were raised by different members. The first is the one raised by hon Morgan, the second by the hon Zikalala, the third by the hon Rev Meshoe and the fourth by the hon Simmons. They all deal with exactly the same issue.
The hon Morgan chose to individualise matters. Unfortunately, race, gender and all of those things rise in the way in which he puts the problem. The problem is that there is something fundamentally wrong in society that we have to deal with. The problem in the way in which four hon members articulated the issue is that it is the government’s responsibility and they can rest on their laurels. We will deal with violence in society when we join hands and deal with this matter collectively. That’s the only way we will ever resolve this issue. It means that some firm decisions must be taken, including – which the ``can’t-be-controlled DA’’ doesn’t want - the strengthening of community policing forums and of course issues like the training of police. Let’s stop blaming government. Let’s take collective responsibility, failing which government will be held responsible even for the things that happen in people’s homes. Thank you very much. [Applause.] [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Hon member, I’m calling the House to order but you continue screaming again. I think what we need to appreciate is that debates are very healthy but you don’t have to scream to a point where we can’t even understand or follow what an hon member at the podium is saying. Let’s all exercise patience, irrespective of our differences.
SKILLS SHORTAGE IN SOUTH AFRICA
PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE AT POLICE STATION IN FENI
TRIBUTE TO DOUGLAS GIBSON
GAUTENG HIGH SCHOOLS’ ACHIEVEMENTS
SERVICE DELIVERY
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF EDUCATION: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Perhaps, Madam Deputy Speaker, you should also be patient with the screaming member. He may very well be screaming in excited agreement with the hon Minister. [Laughter.] So, it might be necessary to be patient with him too. [Laughter.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon Minister, you are out of order. I was patient with him and he was not in any agreement. [Laughter.] He was actually swallowing his voice and I could not even follow what the hon Minister was saying.
The MINISTER OF EDUCATION: Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to comment on this ``urban legend’’. I find the urban legend quite amazing. I’m not sure what is meant that it’s an urban legend that there is a shortage of skills. There is definitely a shortage of skills in South Africa. There are people who are trained, but are not trained for the opportunities that are available in our society and therefore there is a mismatch which must be addressed. There are people in our country who do not easily find opportunities for work and clearly this needs to be addressed. That’s what might have been meant by “urban legend”. But the mismatch exists and we should all accept that it does exist.
I do not think it is entirely fair to put all the blame for addressing the skills issue on the shoulders of the Department of Home Affairs. I think several departments play a role in ensuring that we do attract the skills that we want and that we carry through the administrative procedures necessary for ensuring that if we hire people from outside the country, they are easily admitted into South Africa and are able to start their work. I think the Department of Home Affairs, clearly with the various appointments it has begun to make with the turnaround strategy, is making a real effort at attempting to improve the very difficult challenges that they are confronted with and we need to recognise this attempt as improvement and real change.
I think the comment on the police station is certainly understood and welcomed. I’d urge the hon member of the ANC to continue to interact with the relevant department in order to see whether we can indeed secure new police cells or a new police station in Feni in Mpumalanga. What is of concern is that she referred to there being only one police vehicle. There are many police vehicles. Their numbers have been increased and I think the hon members should try to find out why this particular police station, which is very busy and successful, is not being given adequate support in the form of additional police vehicles.
I was surprised at the thanking of the hon Gibson and congratulating of Mr Davidson. I thought that had been done last week. But maybe the hon Mr Van der Merwe wasn’t here and so he was taking his chance. So, we certainly expressed our congratulations in that regard last week. I’m aware of this even though I was not here in the House.
With respect to the actions of the hon members who support excellence in the five high schools’ achievements in Midrand, I would like to thank them for their support. We had an excellent debate with all parties participating today in the Department of Education’s budget debate and we agreed that we all need to pursue and support excellence in the promotion of achievements in schools in our country. So, I’d like to thank the hon members for providing awards, trophies and computer sets to children and successful schools in our country.
With respect to local government delivery, I congratulate the Tikwane Municipality in the Free State as well as Mayor Kenalemang for the award that they have won. I think it’s very exciting when we see local government doing the work that is necessary to ensure that the people in our communities throughout the country have the basic services that are so necessary for them to live a decent life.
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]
PEACEKEEPING IN AFRICA
(Minister’s Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENCE: Madam Deputy Speaker, I just want to take this opportunity to thank the chairperson of the portfolio committee on raising this very important issue of peacekeeping, especially in Africa. I think we all agree that Nepad goals will only be realised when there is political stability and peace in Africa. I also agree with him that the UN must not only prioritise peacekeeping, but it must move speedily into areas of conflict.
I thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]
OPENING OF AGRICULTURAL CENTRE AT EKUNGWINI
(Minister’s Response)
IPHINI LIKANGQONGQOSHE WEZOHWEBO NEZEZIMBONI (Nk E Thabethe): Phini likaSomlomo, bengithanda ukuphawula maqondana nesitatimende esenziwe umhlonishwa uSibanyoni. Siyathemba ukuthi, singuhulumeni, sizosebenzisana kakhulu namanye amagatsha. Kodwa sifuna ukusho ukuthi thina esibuya KwezoHwebo Nezezimboni sisebenzelana kakhulu nalaba bezomnotho, kanye nalaba bezolimo nokongiwa kwemvelo kanye nezokuvakasha.
Sithemba-ke ukuthi ubaba UMosonkutu wenze umsebenzi omkhulu kakhulu ngoba le ndawo yasenKungwini ingenye yalezi zindawo ezingenazo izinto zokuletha izinsiza. Kodwa sithemba ukuthi-ke, njengoba sisebenzisana nabo, sizokwazi ukubona ukuthi singenzenjani ukuze siqhubekele phambili ngomsebenzi wethu esivele sihlale siwenza.
Ngiyethemba nelungu lisakhumbula kahle ukuthi ngaseMjekejeke, onyakeni ophelile, besihlanganise amakhosi lapho ngoba senzela ukuthi kuthuthukwe kuyiwe phambili. Konke lokho sikwenza ngokuholwa umbuso kaKhongolose, ngoba wazi kahle ukuthi abantu bethu kufanele bathuthuke, baqale amabhizinisi, baqhubekele phambili ngezomsebenzi ngazo zonke izindlela.
Imifelandawonye yezamabhizinisi ethu, siwuMnyango Wezohwebo Nezezimboni, isiqalile ukusebenza futhi ibambisene nobaba uMosonkutu nasebenzisana nabo. Siyabonga kakhulu ngokuthi kubonakale ukuthi uhulumeni ungowabantu futhi usebenzela abantu – uyophinde wenze njalo futhi. Siyabonga. (Translation of isiZulu minister’s response follows.)
[The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (Ms E Thabethe): Deputy Speaker, I would like to comment with regard to the statement made by the hon Sibanyoni. As government, we believe in working together with the other tiers of government. But we want to say that we, who are in the trade and industry sphere, work closely with those who are in the economic affairs, agriculture, conservation and tourism industries.
We believe that the hon Mosonkutu is doing an excellent job there, because this area of nKungwini is one of the areas that do not have infrastructures for providing services. But we hope that, as we are working together with them, we will be able to see what we can do to the work that we always do to move forward.
I hope that the hon member does recall that we had a meeting near Mjekeke last year with all amakhosi because we wanted to see the development going forward. We do all these things because the ANC-led government understands very well that our people must be developed, and be able to start their own businesses, and progress in their jobs by all means.
The alliance of our businesses, as the Department of Trade and Industry, has started to work with the hon Mosonkutu and those who are working with him. We are pleased about the display showing that the government is for the people and it is working for the people - and it will do so again. [Thank you.]]
The House adjourned at 14:44.