National Assembly - 25 August 2009
TUESDAY, 25 AUGUST 2009 __
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
____
The House met at 14:02.
The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS = see col 000.
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move, on the next sitting day of the House:
That the House-
1) debates the Donen Commission’s report and its findings with regard
to the role played by South Africa’s stakeholders in alleged
corruption in the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme; and
2) resolves to call on President Jacob Zuma to appoint an independent
commission of inquiry, headed by a retired judge, that has the
power to issue subpoenas to investigate whether any abuse of power
and/or corruption and/or any other irregularities were committed by
South African stakeholders during the United Nations’ Oil-for-Food
Programme.
Mr G R KRUMBOCK: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move, on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates the contribution of tourism to our economy, and obstacles to further growth in this regard, as well as steps by the government to promote this labour-intensive sector.
Dr D T GEORGE: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on the next sitting day of the House:
That the House debates the implementation of the development state.
Mr M WATERS: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on the next sitting day of the House, on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates the human resources crisis facing health care in our country, and possible solutions.
Mr G R MORGAN: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on the next sitting day of the House, on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates the state of South Africa’s marine resources, and mechanisms to increase opportunities in the fishing sector.
Mr G G BOINAMO: Mr Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move:
That the House –
1) debates the inadequate security measures in the majority of South
African schools;
2) notes that the country has already lost too many educators and
learners within the premises of their schools;
3) calls for an end to the senseless murders at our schools.
HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, I move without notice: That the House – 1) notes that Saturday, 22 August 2009, marked the start of the holy month of Ramadan;
2) further notes that during the month, Muslims from all walks of life
across the globe fast from sunrise to sunset and that such
abstinence as that of Ramadan promotes spiritual growth, self-
discipline, nurtures feelings for those who are starving and
provides an opportunity for spiritual renewal;
3) believes that Muslims in this country have made significant
contributions to the birth and sustenance of our democracy and that
the holy month of Ramadan affords Muslims a unique opportunity to
strengthen bonds of friendship and family ties amongst themselves
and with their fellow South Africans; and
4) conveys its best wishes to all Muslims during this holy month of
Ramadan.
Agreed to.
ACTING PRINCIPAL OF SECONDARY SCHOOL IN NEW CROSSROADS MURDERED
(Draft Resolution)
Ms Z B BALINDLELA: Mr Speaker, I move without notice, on behalf of Cope: That the House –
1) expresses its condolences to the husband, family, friends and
education fraternity of the slain acting principal of the Sithembele
Matiso Secondary School in New Crossroads;
2) expresses gratitude to the police for their immediate efforts to
trace the suspects;
3) condemns the senseless murder of a dedicated educator, wife and
mother during Women’s Month in the strongest possible terms; and
4) requests the Minister of Police to ensure that the murderers of this
innocent crime victim as well as all other slain victims are brought
to book without delay.
Agreed to.
CONGRATULATIONS TO SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL CRICKET TEAM
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, I move without notice:
That the House –
1) notes that the South African National Cricket Team, the Proteas,
has moved up to the No 1 position in both test and limited overs
cricket;
2) further notes that it is the first time in the history of the game
that another country, apart from Australia, has managed to occupy
the top position in both disciplines of the game;
3) congratulates the Proteas in achieving this historic milestone; and
4) wishes the team well for the season ahead, especially in the home
series against England.
Agreed to.
SUPERB PERFORMANCE OF TEAM SOUTH AFRICA AT 2009 IAAF TOURNAMENT
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, I move without notice:
That the House – 1) notes the superb performance of Team South Africa at the 2009 IAAF tournament in Berlin, Germany;
2) further notes the outstanding individual performances of Caster
Semenya in winning gold in the women’s 800m, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, who
won gold in the men’s 800m and Khotso Mokoena, who won silver in
the men’s long jump;
3) recalls that it is the first time since our country’s readmission
into the International Athletics Federation that our athletes are
world title holders in both the women’s and men’s 800m event;
4) congratulates Athletics South Africa, the athletes who participated
in Berlin and the administrators for bringing glory to our nation;
and
5) wishes all sportsmen and women success on the international stage
as we continue in building a united, prosperous and winning nation.
Agreed to.
CONDOLENCES FAMILIES OF PEOPLE KILLED IN TAXI ACCIDENT
(Draft Resolution) Mr L RAMATLAKANE: Mr Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House –
1) expresses its regret and sends a message of condolence to the
families of the ten victims killed in the taxi accident on 23
August 2009 in which a taxi, transporting 19 people to Cape Town,
collided with a bus 35 km outside Beaufort West; and
2) wishes the hospitalised passengers a speedy recovery.
Agreed to.
Return of team SA from Germany
(Member’s Statement)
Mr B M KOMPHELA (ANC): Hon Speaker, Deputy President, hon members, earlier today the team representing Athletics SA returned to the country after an outstanding performance at the 14th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany. The spontaneous outpouring of support for the team by all South Africans illustrated how the events surrounding Caster Semenya have galvanised the country to support and unite behind the young girl.
While the team finished ninth overall, the championships will be remembered for the humiliating treatment dished out to Caster Semenya. The 18-year-old Caster had to defy all the odds to conquer the world in the women’s 800- metre event. She is, undoubtedly, superb and talented and her performance on track captured the imagination of athletes and spectators at the championship. Her brilliant performance has been thwarted by gender stereotypes, discrimination, public humiliation and invasion of her privacy by IAAF officials and the media.
The way the IAAF handled the matter has been clumsy and unprofessional and with complete disregard for the interests of Caster. Yesterday, the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the matter to be investigated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The ANC calls for nothing less than an unreserved apology from the IAAF to Caster and to the entire South African nation to put this unacceptable incident to rest. This would allow Semenya to get on with her life and pursue her dream to dominate the 800-metre event for the rest of her life. I thank you. [Applause.]
VULNERABLE INVESTORS IN current economic conditions
(Member’s Statement)
Dr D T GEORGE (DA): Speaker, in the current economic conditions investors are often desperate to protect their assets and to increase their return on investment. Although every investment brings with it a particular level of risk, some risk is acceptable and some is not.
An acceptable risk exists where the investor understands the nature of the investment and also understands the nature of the return and whether it is guaranteed or not. Legislation was enacted to ensure that financial advisers provide the necessary information to investors, and they can be held to account if they fail to properly advise their clients. The Financial Services Board is also mandated to take action against financial service providers who do not comply with their obligations.
Financial predators are, however, operating in South Africa. They are not properly accredited; they mislead potential investors and leave destitution and broken lives in their wake. When investors fall victim to these predators, the matter is often extremely complex and complicated and requires extensive investigation. The victims often do not have any financial resources to pursue the matter, precisely because their money has been stolen.
The DA believes that vulnerable investors must be protected and that the Financial Services Board can do this by establishing a rapid response unit that responds quickly and decisively when matters such as these arise. The South African public needs to know that financial predators who lead them into financial ruin will be acted against swiftly and strongly and prevented from perpetuating their crimes over and over again. Thank you.
SUCCESSFUL BY-ELECTION PERFORMANCE BY COPE
(Member’s Statement)
Mr D A KGANARE (Cope): Mr Speaker, effective participation of viable political parties in the electoral processes of our country is an essential prerequisite for a vibrant people-centred democracy. Towards that end, the recent by-election performance by Cope in the Khai-Ma Local Municipality in the Northern Cape should be noted as a sure signal of future political dynamics in South Africa.
During the 2006 general municipal elections, the ANC conquered 88,23% of the votes, with the opposition parties reaching 11,77%. The DA was at 6,93%, and the ID was at 4,84%. On 12 August 2009, in a head-to-head context between the ANC and Cope, Cope made substantive inroads into the ANC majority of 66,88% by slashing it to a very modest 59,01%. With 40,99% of the voters aligning with Cope, and in the absence of contestation by other opposition parties, the opposition vote increased by 350%.
Currently, the Khai-Ma Local Municipality is better known as Pofadder – the generic name of a feared species in the animal kingdom. Whilst some of us have been called snakes and worse in recent months, this by-election, in which a previously ANC-dominated ward became a marginal seat, is set to go down in history as the small but definite beginning of true multiparty democracy in South Africa.
Modest as it may be, the Pofadder by-election is set to be the first of many in the dismantling of de facto one-party domination. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS
(Member’s Statement)
Mrs M T KUBAYI (ANC): Mr Speaker, the ANC strongly condemns the escalating number of acts of unjustifiable violence in our schools. We therefore denounce these acts of violence, rape, racism and racial discrimination in the strongest possible terms. Our schools should be places of safety and learning, not places of violence. The fact that these brutal crimes take place on school premises despite the security measures put in place by the Safe Schools Project, is entirely unacceptable and deeply concerning.
The ANC mourns the untimely and tragic death of Nomzoxolo Dziba, who was shot dead on the premises of the Sithembele Matiso Secondary school in New Crossroads. We therefore strongly condemn the motives and actions of those persons who have committed this brutal crime, as they demonstrate a dangerous practice of creating fertile ground for violence in schools.
The ANC is also deeply saddened by the increase in the incidence of rape, such as the one that took place at the Ndamase High School at Ngqeleni in the Eastern Cape. We want to emphasise that the ANC-led government will not be deterred in establishing a normal school environment for teaching and learning. Parliament will have to vigorously discuss the issue of school violence, and place it on the agenda as an issue of national importance. The ANC extends its condolences to the family, friends and relatives of principal Nomzoxolo Dziba. Thank you.
KILLING OF WOMAN ON SCHOOL PREMISES
(Member’s Statement)
Mnu V B NDLOVU (IFP): Somlomo, ukubulawa komuntu wesifazane ikakhulukazi ewuthishomkhulu wesikole ngaphakathi emagcekeni esikole kuyihlazo elingeke lavunyelwa ukuba khona eNingizimu Afrika.
Ngakho –ke ukusebenza kwamaphoyisa nabantu abakhe eceleni kwesikole kufuneka benze isiqiniseko sokuthi ziyaboshwa izigebengu, imigulukudu,izigelekeqe ukuze zikwazi ukudonsa ejele ngokuthi zibulale umuntu wesifazane esemsebenzini.
Okwesibili ukuthi kwenzeke lokhu kabi, kuyinyanga yabantu besifazane lapho abantu besifazane kufuneka baziqhayise khona. Okubuhlungu ke wukuthi mhlawumbe kwenziwe abantu besilisa okuyingozi enkulu ngoba kukhombisa ukuthi labo bantu abakwazi ukukhusela imphefumulo yabanye abantu. Abantu abafanele ukuvalelwa banganikwa nephalishi ekuseni, emini nantambama. Ngiyabonga. (Translation of isiZulu member’s statement follows.)
[Mr V B NDLOVU (IFP): Speaker, the murder of a woman, especially a school principal, on school premises is a disgrace that cannot be allowed in South Africa.
The police and the people in the area of that school must make sure that these murderers, thugs and criminals are arrested, so that they can start serving their sentence for murdering a woman at work.
Secondly, the timing was bad, as it happened during Women’s Month, when women are supposed to be proud of their achievements. The most painful thing is the possibility that this murder was committed by men. This is very dangerous, because it shows that these people are not able to protect other people’s lives. These people deserve to be locked up and not to be given porridge in the morning, during the course of the day or at night. Thank you.]
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND H1N1 VIRUS
(Member’s Statement)
Mr M H HOOSEN (ID): Hon Speaker, while the number of deaths related to the H1N1 virus continues to increase, millions of South Africans are still in the dark about effective preventative measures in the absence of a national communication strategy. Recently, the Minister of Health conceded that his department had not done enough in communicating a coherent message to South Africans on the prevention and spread of the virus.
Notwithstanding the promises of the director-general at the Health portfolio meeting recently, effective preventative messages to South Africans have still not been communicated. Whilst we welcome the individual letters addressed to MPs in this House on the matter, we, as the ID, again call on the Minister to urgently implement a national communication strategy in respect of the spread of the H1N1 virus. I thank you.
PARTNERSHIP WITH KENYA TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN AFRICA
(Member’s Statement) Mr D M GUMEDE (ANC): Hon Speaker, on 18 August 2009 the Kenyan and South African governments entered into a partnership to promote the tourism sector on the African continent.
These two countries will collaborate in strategic areas, like sharing data, to improve efficiency and add value and variety to the tourism sector in both countries and in Africa; provide more opportunities to augment sustainable tourism; co-operate in the development of strategies; address challenges in climate change, the economic downturn and development; and mutually promote, advocate, educate and support stakeholders in both countries.
This reflects the spirit of Nepad, thus contributing to sustainable livelihoods, decent jobs and rural development in line with the manifesto of the ANC. I thank you.
MANAGEMENT OF REFUGEE CENTRES
(Member’s Statement) Mr M MNQASELA (DA): Somlomo, mandibulele kuSekela-mongameli, ndibulise nakumalungu ale Ndlu inkulu. [Chairperson, let me thank the Deputy President and also greet the members of this august House.]
The DA is deeply concerned about the manner in which refugee reception centres are managed in this country. The response time to individual applications, by either political asylum seekers or economic migrants, is appalling. The Nyanga refugee centre is one of the examples that we have chosen after having made numerous visits to this centre.
Kuqengqeleka iinyanga abantu belinde ukuba bafumane iincwadi zabo, begxalathelana ukuya kweli ziko, besuka kumazwe ngamazwe becinga ukuba baza kukwazi ukuncedakala. Ingxaki enje ngale uthi xa ufika phaya ubone ukuba … (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[People have been waiting for their documents for months now, flocking to this centre from different countries hoping that they will be assisted. You only get to see this kind of problem when you arrive there …]
… there are private security personnel running the centre whilst the officials sit there doing nothing.
One of the characteristics of this particular centre that we have observed is its high absentee rate. This is very serious. Other characteristics include poor filing of documents and loss of files owing to the manner in which they are packed at this facility. Fraud and corruption were observed at that centre and have been reported in the newspapers.
Lastly, the Department of Home Affairs, in seeking to address these challenges, must try to centralise the application process so that the turnaround time is shorter.
Abantu basuka eRhawutini, abanye basuka kwamanye amaphondo afana neLimpopo, KwaZulu-Natala njalo njalo, afike umntu athi: Bendenze isicelo kwezi ndawo, kodwa ngoku ndilapha eNtshona Koloni. Kuthiwa mandihambe ndiye kulaa ndawo bendisuka kuyo. Loo nto ayamkelekanga kwaphela.
Ke, sifuna ukuyandisa sithi kuMphathiswa makathathe amanyathelo ngokukhawuleza ngoba uye wathembisa ukuba uya kuyenza loo nto. Siyabulela. [Laphela ixesha.] (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[People come from Gauteng, others are from other provinces like Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and so on, and when this person arrives he will say: I have made an application in one of these provinces, but now I am here in the Western Cape. I am told to go back to the province I come from. That is totally unacceptable.
Therefore, we want to extend this and appeal to the Minister to take corrective measures immediately as she has promised to do so. Thank you. [Time expired.]]
HONOURING CASTER SEMENYA
(Member’s Statement)
Rev K R J MESHOE (ACDP): Hon Speaker, the ACDP is delighted at the support that our hero and 800 metre world champion, Mokgadi Caster Semenya, has received from her countrymen and women. The report that more than 35 000 people have joined a Facebook group in support of Caster Semenya and African women bears testimony to the overwhelming support that Caster has received.
We honour her for her courage and determination and for rising above the abuse and unfair treatment she has received from the International Association of Athletics Federations and some media reports, emanating mainly from the Australian and English media, implying that she was cheating.
The ACDP believes that if anybody, including athletes, has a birth defect, then they should be protected and supported by all, rather than being subjected to humiliating gender tests which may leave a person emotionally scarred for life.
There is an argument that there is no single process of determining gender because every case is different. It has been reported that at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, eight female athletes were determined to have male chromosomes and were barred from the games.
Further tests, however, showed that they were physiologically female, even though their genes indicated that they were male, and they were reinstated. One shudders to think about the trauma these athletes experienced.
The ACDP therefore calls on our government, Athletics SA and other sporting bodies to do their best to pre-empt and prevent a repetition of this humiliating and degrading testing of our athletes. Thank you.
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OF FIRST STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE
(Member’s Statement)
Mr D K MATABOGE (ANC): Speaker, on 19 August 2006, the University of the Free State elected Mr Moses Masitha as their first President of the Student Representative Council. The ANC acknowledges the calls for change expressed by students during these elections, particularly as the university has been engulfed by the negative issues of racism and racial discrimination in the recent past.
The ANC further salutes this achievement, especially since the province is the spiritual home of the ANC. Recognising the horrible events of racial discrimination that took prominence at the university, we further applaud the shining example by the student community for bestowing their confidence in the SA Students Congress-led SRC to establish a progressive transformation agenda at the University of the Free State. We also applaud them for undertaking this huge responsibility of continuing the struggle for a better life and increasing access to quality education.
The ANC would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Moses Masitha on his election. The ANC reminds him that the confidence and the mandate given to him by the student community places him and the Sasco-led SRC at the pole position in undertaking the task of racially transforming the university as a centre of academic excellence and meaningful improvement of student life. Thank you. [Applause.]
ASSURANCE OF NO MORE BLACKOUTS
(Member’s Statement)
Dr S M VAN DYK (DA): Speaker, die voormalige Minister van Openbare Ondernemings, Minister Alex Erwin, het in 2006 hierdie Parlement die versekering gegee dat Suid-Afrika nie beurtkrag sal ervaar nie. Sy woorde was skaars koud toe ervaar Suid-Afrika donkerte wat die ekonomie R2 miljard per dag gekos het.
Die tariefverhoging van 27,5% verlede jaar deur die Nasionale Energiereguleerder van Suid-Afrika, Nersa, en Elektrisiteitsvoorsieningskommissie, Eskom, en 31,3% vir vanjaar, gaan egter geen duik maak aan die R283 miljard wat Eskom vir sy kapitaaluitbreidingsprogram nodig het nie. Nou blyk dit dat Eskom ’n 40% tariefverhoging vir volgende jaar in gedagte het met inflasionistiese tendense wat gaan lei tot rentekoersverhogings en die ekonomie verder gaan knou. As ons kyk na die Moody’s-agentskap vir kredietgradering se swak gradering van Eskom, gaan Eskom ook nie internasionale finansiering bekom nie.
Eskom se tweede groot kopseer is dat ’n vakbondopname nou toon dat 62% van sy werkers ontevrede is en ook nie vir hulle ’n toekoms by Eskom sien nie vanweë onvoldoende diensvoorwaardes. Eskom staar dus nou ook ’n geweldige vaardigheidstekort in die gesig.
’n Groot kopseer egter vir die verbruikers van Suid-Afrika is dat die Kabinet goedgekeur het dat 30% krag deur privaatondernemings opgewek kan word, maar om die een of ander bisarre rede het Eskom sedert Januarie 2008 geweier om kontrakte aan privaatondernemings wat krag opwek, toe te staan.
Die DA is egter vol vertroue dat die Minister en die Kabinet hul volle aandag aan hierdie saak sal skenk om te voorkom dat ons binnekort weer in donkerte sal verval. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans member’s statement follows.)
[Dr S M VAN DYK (DA): Speaker, the former Minister for Public Enterprises, Minister Alex Erwin, gave this House the assurance in 2006 that South Africa would not experience load shedding. His words had scarcely been uttered when South Africa experienced darkness, which cost the economy R2 billion per day.
Last year’s tariff hike of 27,5% by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, Nersa, and Electricity Supply Commission, Eskom, and the 31,3% hike for this year, will however make no difference to the R283 billion that Eskom requires for its programme for capital expansion. It now appears that Eskom has a 40% tariff hike in mind for next year, which will have inflationary implications, and will lead to increases in interest rates and further harm the economy. When we look at Eskom’s poor rating by Moody’s credit rating agency, Eskom will also not obtain international financing.
Eskom’s second biggest headache is that a union survey now indicates that 62% of its workers are dissatisfied and do not see a future for themselves at Eskom owing to inadequate conditions of service. Therefore, Eskom is now also facing an immense skills shortage.
A big headache, however, for the consumers of South Africa is that Cabinet approved that 30% of power may now be generated by private companies, but for some bizarre reason or another Eskom has refused to grant contracts to private power generation companies since January 2008. The DA fully believes, however, that the Minister and the Cabinet will give their full attention to this matter in order to prevent us from returning to darkness very soon. I thank you.]
CONSTRUCTION OF PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT BUILDING
(Member’s Statement)
Ms H N NDUDE (Cope): Speaker, the development and building of the Pan- African Parliament is an important building block for the establishment of this institution. South Africa, as a host country, has the responsibility to oversee this development in the proper manner and within the law.
According to newspaper reports, building activities on this proposed site of the Pan-African Parliament were stopped after a complaint was received that an environmentally sensitive vlei [marsh] was being destroyed by the contractors.
The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs has now claimed that misleading information was given in the environmental impact assessment report. The question remains whether the department visited the site, and why this was not picked up.
A shortlist of six sites was produced by the department for approval by the Cabinet. Cabinet approval was given on the wrong information supplied. Apparently, the Gauteng department of agriculture and rural development warned the national Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, but received no reaction. Cabinet is urged to rectify the situation in such a manner that our image and that of the Pan-African Parliament are not tainted. We must be sensitive to the environment and take the necessary steps against those responsible. Thank you.
ATTACK ON POLICE IN WESTERN CAPE
(Member’s Statement)
Mnu M M DIKGACWI (ANC): Enkosi Somlomo. Umbutho wesizwe i-ANC ilugxeka ngamdla uhlaselo lwamagosa ogcino-cwangco noxolo kwiindawo esihlala kuzo, ingakumbi apha eNtshona Koloni. Kwisithuba seveki ezintathu kwiilokishi zeli leNtshona Koloni, amagosa ezogcino-cwangco ahlaselwe izihlandlo ezintathu. Kwezibini kuzo amapolisa amabini athe aphulukana nobomi bawo, elinye ipolisa liyachacha esibhedlele. Kuzo zozithathu ezi ziganeko, amapolisa aphulukene nemipu yawo yomsebenzi, nto leyo ebonakalisa ngokumhlophe ukuba eyona nto ifunwa ngamandla zezi ntswela mbeko yimipu eyakuthi isetyenziswe kugebengo lwabantu abangenatyala.
URhulumente okhokelwa ngumbutho wesizwe i-ANC, uzakubuncothula kunye neengcambu ubukrelemnqa, kodwa ke kuthi malungu ombutho wesizwe icace gca okwe kat’emhloph’ehlungwini ukuba urhulumente eyedwa angekhe aphumelele ukwenza oko. Angaphumelela xa kukho inkxaso evela ebantwini basekuhlaleni. Siyabulela. [Kwaqhwatywa.] (Translation of isiXhosa member’s statement follows.)
[Mr M M DIKGACWI (ANC): Thank you, Chairperson. The people’s organisation, the ANC, strongly criticises the attack on safety and security officials in our communities, especially in the Western Cape. In three weeks’ time the safety and security officials in the townships of the Western Cape have been attacked three times. In two of these attacks two police officers lost their lives and one of them is recovering in hospital. In these three incidents the police officers lost their service firearms. This clearly shows that what these thugs are looking for are firearms, which will be used in violent attacks and in the murdering of innocent people.
The ANC-led government will uproot crime, but to us members of the people’s party it is vividly clear that the government alone will not succeed in doing that. The government can only succeed with support from the community. Thank you. [Applause.]]
CALL FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN WATER CRISIS IN UMKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT
(Member’s Statement)
Mr A M MPONTSHANE (IFP): Hon Speaker, the lack of adequate water in Jozini in the Umkhanyakude district is a mounting crisis that has been made worse by a crippling drought in the area. At times, the water crisis is so severe that even the local hospitals have to make do without water.
The Umkhanyakude Municipality has written numerous letters to the national government seeking assistance, but has received no reply to date. The municipality is also currently R16 million in the red due to the fact that it has had to hire water tanks from suppliers at a very high cost. Yet, the nearby Jozini Dam, which has the capacity to deliver water to the community, remains unutilised for reasons unknown to us.
The IFP, therefore, calls on government to immediately intervene in the crisis, and we call upon the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs to visit the area as a matter of urgency to meet with the mayor and his executive committee members.
Furthermore, we call upon the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs to assist the Umkhanyakude Municipality in repaying the millions in debt, and to urgently give the municipality the necessary assistance they need to create a viable and sustainable water supply for the community. I thank you.
CONDEMNATION OF SHOOTING OF NEW CROSSROADS PRINCIPAL
(Member’s Statement)
Mr N M KGANYAGO (UDM): Speaker, the UDM condemns the shooting yesterday of an acting school principal in New Crossroads, Cape Town. We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the acting principal of the Sithembele Matiso Secondary School, Nomzoxolo Dziba.
What happened yesterday was a cold-blooded assassination. An appointment was made with the victim and the killers strode confidently onto the school premises, where they murdered her. It was an act of brazen callousness. The killers are mocking our society. They are disregarding our belief in the sanctity of life and our commitment to safe schools and communities. The disdain that they have shown towards the victim and the community is a terrible reminder of the sad times that we live in.
Unfortunately, violent crime has become so commonplace in South Africa that criminals can contemplate such casual brutality without a moment’s hesitation. Their barbaric actions strike at the very heart of our civilisation, and that is why no effort must be spared to bring these criminals to book. They must face justice. Our society will not stand for the lawlessness and anarchy … [Time expired.] [Applause.]
HONOURING CASTER SEMENYA
(Minister’s Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION: Mr Speaker, I rise in response to the issue around the IAAF World Championships with deeply mixed emotions: that of joy, undoubtedly, at the wonderful performance of our team, but also that of sadness at the way a human being has been treated by an international federation without any regard for her dignity.
In this recent distasteful incident it is clear that the IAAF, as also indicated by the hon Komphela, has badly mishandled the matter and that it has also badly underestimated the strong principles of South Africa and its citizens. The IAAF officials have made public announcements and pronouncements on the gender-testing process and, as a result, has not only embarrassed a talented youngster, but caused a strong and appropriate response from us, the rainbow nation.
Minister Stofile, the Minister of Sport and Recreation, has written a strongly worded letter to the president of the IAAF demanding a retraction of these statements and also demanding an apology. We are awaiting a response from the president of the IAAF to South Africa. We have also gone on record to say that it was intentionally devious for questions to be cast about a particular athlete just before a final event. We all applaud her ability to remain focused and cross the winning line first, despite this. The team arrived back in our country this morning and we have put in place a support system for Miss Semenya and, if they so wish, for members of her family, to help them through this very difficult time. It is important to protect our young athletes and to help them to become stronger in the long run. For indeed, it will be a long run as Miss Semenya lines up for the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. The type of support we will be giving will be discussed to ensure that we meet the needs of Miss Semenya and her family appropriately.
We have also written to our colleague, the Minister of Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities, as well as to the chairpersons of the SA Human Rights Commission and the Commission on Gender Equality. We did so because this is a cross-cutting issue, it’s an issue of national importance and it is an issue of human rights and of principle.
I want to compare this to the appalling way that our disabled athlete, Oscar Pistorius, was treated when he took on the might of this very same international federation to assert his right to compete against athletes without disabilities. All of this indicates that much work still needs to be done within athletics and other international federations to instil a fundamental respect for human rights and dignity.
We, in the Ministry of Sport and Recreation, support the call for these issues to be taken to the United Nations Human Rights Commission. To assist in this process, I requested from a full report the president of Athletics SA this morning a full report so that we can address the issue from a basis of full and complete information. I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Mr M J ELLIS: Madam Chair, may I address you on a point of procedure here? Members make statements and Ministers reply, but Ministers reply, presumably, off the cuff because they do not know what members are going to say. Why is it that the hon Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation is able to stand up and read a statement? Something in the process has quite clearly gone wrong, and I do ask you to consider this. [Interjections.] The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Hon member, the hon members make statements and the hon Minister has given information based on those statements.
Mr M J ELLIS: But, Madam Chair, is that the correct procedure? [Interjections.] I mean, we could play all kinds of games in the House with ANC members standing up and making statements and Ministers responding in the same way.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Hon Mike Ellis, I think when members make their statements, they want to get information on what is happening. That is exactly what the Deputy Minister was doing.
Mr M J ELLIS: Madam Chair, with regard to your ruling, may I simply ask: Are the Ministers now asking that the DA hand in their statements beforehand so that they can prepare their answers as well? [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Hon Mike Ellis, you cannot decide on how the Ministers and Deputy Ministers respond to your statements. So just allow the Deputy Ministers and Ministers to respond to information they believe is of importance.
VELNERABLE INVESTORS IN CURRENT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND H1N1 VIRUS
ASSURANCE OF NO MORE BLACKOUTS
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: NATIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION: Chairperson, we should advise the hon Ellis that jealousy about our powers of anticipation will get him nowhere. [Laughter.]
Mr M J ELLIS: Madam Chair, the hon Trevor Manuel has just written me a letter asking me about my powers.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M N Oliphant): Hon Ellis, please take your seat. You may continue, hon Minister.
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: NATIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION: Chairperson, I would like to give a few brief responses. The first is to Dr George. This Parliament has done its utmost to protect investors, and key amongst this would be the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act. The role of the Financial Services Board is, in fact, to ensure that intermediaries are registered and compliant with the rules. You cannot protect people against greed, and, in most instances, where people choose an intermediary or somebody who holds him or herself out as an intermediary but who is not registered and not recognised, then there is very little that the FSB or the state can or should do.
There was a matter recently. In fact, there is an organisation that now calls itself the Society for the Protection of our Constitution, that says it has gone to court to prevent Ms Gill Marcus from becoming Governor of the Reserve Bank. It says that it is acting on behalf of people who have refused to pay tax and who paid their money from under their mattresses to some individual - and now the state is expected to support these people who publicly boasted about the way in which they have violated the law. We shouldn’t support that. I think that we must ask the FSB to shore up the system that the FAIS provides. More than that, I think it is exceedingly difficult and dangerous for the fiscus to undertake such a matter.
The hon member from the ID raised issues about the prevention campaign and H1N1 and, if I had anticipated this as well as Deputy Minister Oosthuizen had, I would have brought him the print ads or the transcripts of both the commercial and community radio advertisements. They are out there; they are not just letters to Members of Parliament. There is a wider campaign. In fact, the campaign features quite coyly the Minister of Health himself in various poses as part of the prevention campaign. So, I encourage you, hon member, to read and listen to the radio and observe the television and thereby be educated.
The hon Van Dyk, as per usual, is attempting to mislead all of us. Eskom cannot be held responsible for the independent power producers, IPPs, and the hon member should know that the big issue that keeps the IPPs out is the fact that pricing of electricity per unit is still the lowest in the world - and Eskom’s prices are low. Either you are saying that consumers of electricity must now, through Eskom, subsidise IPPs or this contradiction will present itself. But to come to this House and suggest that the IPPs are being kept out by Eskom is, I submit, an endeavour to mislead this House, and the hon Van Dyk should desist therefrom. Thank you very much.
PARTNERSHIP WITH KENYA TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN AFRICA
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF TOURISM: Chairperson, I am responding to the hon member Gumede on the memorandum of understanding signed with the Kenyan Minister for tourism last week. Every year Africa receives only 5% of inbound tourism, and what we would like to do as the South African government is to change our relationships with the rest of the African continent to ensure that we get our due share. We believe we can increase considerably that 5%.
We would also like to increase the tourism flow between South Africa and Kenya. Ten years ago we received only 16 000 tourists from Kenya annually. A year ago it was up to 28 000. We believe we can also improve in that regard.
The purpose of this memorandum of understanding is to change the relationship that we have had historically with Kenya. It was a relationship on the African continent based on intense competition which, I believe, was to the detriment of both of us. I believe we can change this relationship to one in which, yes, we compete, but compete in terms of improving standards in both countries and, even more than that, become partners.
As the hon member mentioned, we will concentrate on the exchange of information: tourism statistics and scholarships. In my view, there are exciting opportunities awaiting our investors in Kenya. The tourism industry is poised to take off over the next few years and, certainly, as investors our businesspeople can also benefit. Indaba South Africa is the premier marketing platform on our continent, and we have now opened the indaba floor for the first time ever to another African country, namely Kenya. They will be our guest at the indaba next year. Thank you. [Applause.]
CALL FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN WATER CRISIS IN UMKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS: House Chairperson, regarding the matter raised by hon member Mpontshane with regard to the water situation in the Umkhanyakude District Municipality, this matter has been brought to our attention by the community member who raised a challenge that is being experienced in that municipality.
We have agreed that we will go to that area to deal with the problem, because the Jozini Dam is not supplying the local people and, at the same time, the municipality is also not benefiting. We said that whilst we were finding long-lasting solutions, we would be dealing with finding solutions in the interim to ensure that the matter is dealt with. What we are saying, in essence, is that the matter has been taken care of. It has been brought to our attention recently and we’ll be attending to it. We hope that not only will we be able to find a solution so that the people of the area are able to benefit from the dam, but that we will also address the situation in the interim. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OF FIRST STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Madam Chair, I just want to respond to the matter raised by the hon Mataboge on the development at the University of the Free State. My friend, hon Ellis, I am now convinced that there is a problem about serving a fourth term in the opposition benches. [Laughter.]
We welcome this development of the election of the first black president of the Student Representative Council at that institution, and we also wish to congratulate the SA Student Organisation, Sasco, and Moses Masitha. We see this as a very positive development at such an institution, and hope that it will lay a better foundation for really creating a nonracial institution, especially in the wake of that ugly incident of racist and sexist abuse of black working-class women at that institution.
I just want to remind members that in our Budget Vote debate earlier this year, we indicated that we had written a letter to all chairs of councils of all universities to discuss the report that was commissioned by my predecessor, Minister Pandor, on racism, gender discrimination and other forms of discrimination at higher education institutions.
As part of receiving reports from the institutions, we are convening a higher education summit during the first quarter of next year, so that we make sure that we continue and deepen the struggle against all forms of discrimination at our higher education institutions. I also want to say to the hon Mataboge that I am very pleased that I will be visiting the University of the Free State on 3 September as an opportunity to further assess the progress and the situation at that institution. Siyabonga, Sihlalo. [Thank you, Chairperson.] [Applause.]
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - BUDGET VOTE NO 16: SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT – BUDGET VOTE NO 33: TRANSPORT
CONSIDERATION OF JOINT REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - JOINT MEETING ON BUDGET VOTE
NO 7: NATIONAL TREASURY, AND THE 2009/12 STRATEGIC PLAN (UPDATE) ON
NATIONAL TREASURY AND THE 2009-10/2011-12 STRATEGIC PLAN OF THE SOUTH
AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - BUDGET VOTE NO 11: STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA, AND THE WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2009/10 IN LINE WITH THE 2004-5/2009-10 STRATEGIC PLAN OF STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE - BUDGET
VOTE NO 20: INDEPENDENT COMPLAINTS DIRECTORATE
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE - BUDGET VOTE NO 22: SAFETY AND SECURITY
CONSIDERATION OF JOINT REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING - JOINT MEETING ON BUDGET VOTE NO 13: EDUCATION
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND INDUSTRY - BUDGET VOTE NO 32: TRADE AND INDUSTRY
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS -
BUDGET VOTE NO 26: HOUSING, AND STRATEGIC PLAN 2009 – 2011 OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND ITS ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION - BUDGET VOTE NO 8: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP AND
MANAGEMENT ACADEMY, AND STRATEGIC PLAN FOR
2009/2010
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND
ADMINISTRATION - BUDGET VOTE NO 9: PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND
ADMINISTRATION - BUDGET VOTE NO 10: PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH - BUDGET VOTE NO 14: HEALTH, AND STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2009/10
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS - BUDGET VOTE NO 24: COMMUNICATIONS, AND STRATEGIC PLANS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ITS ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS - BUDGET VOTE NO 6: GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS - BUDGET VOTE NO 29: PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ENTERPRISES - BUDGET VOTE NO 30, AND STRATEGIC PLAN (2009/10 – 2011/12) OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES AND ITS ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION - BUDGET VOTE NO 3: FOREIGN AFFAIRS
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM - BUDGET VOTE NO 27: LAND AFFAIRS
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - BUDGET VOTE NO 31: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CONSIDERATION OF JOINT REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND
ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES - JOINT MEETING ON BUDGET VOTE NO 34: WATER AFFAIRS
AND FORESTRY
CONSIDERATION OF JOINT REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM - JOINT MEETING ON
BUDGET VOTE NO 25: ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM
There was no debate.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon House Chairperson, hon Deputy President, I move:
That the Reports be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Social Development on Budget Vote No 16: Social Development accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Transport on Budget Vote No 33: Transport accordingly adopted.
Joint Report of Standing Committee on Finance and Portfolio Committee on Economic Development on joint meeting on Budget Vote No 7: National Treasury, and the 2009/12 Strategic Plan (Update) on National Treasury and the 2009/10 – 2011/12 Strategic Plan of the South African Revenue Services accordingly adopted.
Report of Standing Committee on Finance on Budget Vote No 11: Statistics South Africa, and the Work programme for 2009/10 in line with the 2004/5- 2009/10 Strategic Plan of Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Police on Budget Vote No 20: Independent Complaints Directorate accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Police on Budget Vote No 22: Safety and Security accordingly adopted.
Joint Report of Portfolio Committee on Basic Education and Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training on joint meeting on Budget Vote No 13: Education accordingly adopted. Report of Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry on Budget Vote No 32: Trade and Industry accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements on Budget Vote No 26: Housing, and Strategic Plan 2009 – 2011 of the Department of Human Settlements and its entities accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration on Budget Vote No 8: Public Administration Leadership and Management Academy, and strategic plan for 2009/2010 accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration on Budget Vote No 9: Public Service and Administration accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration on Budget Vote No 10: Public Service Commission accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Health on Budget Vote No 14: Health, and Strategic Plan for 2009/10 accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Communications on Budget Vote No 24: Communications, and Strategic Plans of the Department of Communications and its entities accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Communications on Budget Vote No 6: Government Communication and Information System accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Budget Vote No 29: Provincial and Local Government accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises on Budget Vote No 30, and Strategic Plan (2009/10 – 2011/12) of Department of Public Enterprises and its entities accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Co-operation on Budget Vote No 3: Foreign Affairs accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform on Budget Vote No 27: Land Affairs accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology on Budget Vote No 31: Science and Technology accordingly adopted.
Joint Report of Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs and Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on joint meeting on Budget Vote No 34: Water Affairs and Forestry accordingly adopted.
Joint Report of Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs and Portfolio Committee on Tourism on joint meeting on Budget Vote No 25: Environmental Affairs and Tourism accordingly adopted.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES - BUDGET VOTE NO 18: CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WOMEN, YOUTH, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES - BUDGET VOTE NO 1: THE PRESIDENCY, AND STRATEGIC PLAN OF DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN, YOUTH, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND ITS ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS - BUDGET VOTE NO 4: HOME AFFAIRS, AND STRATEGIC PLAN OF DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS AND ITS ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT - BUDGET VOTE NO 21: JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
CONSIDERATION OF JOINT REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON MINING AND
PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ENERGY - JOINT MEETING ON BUDGET VOTE NO 28:
MINERALS AND ENERGY
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON LABOUR - BUDGET VOTE NO 15: LABOUR, AND THE STRATEGIC PLAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR AND ITS PUBLIC ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - BUDGET VOTE NO 5: PUBLIC WORKS, AND STRATEGIC PLAN 2009/10 – 2011/12 OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND ITS ENTITIES
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES - BUDGET VOTE NO 23: AGRICULTURE
There was no debate.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon House Chairperson and hon Deputy President, I move:
That the Reports be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services on Budget Vote No 18: Correctional Services accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities on Budget Vote No 1: The Presidency, and strategic plan of Department Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities, and its entities accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on Budget Vote No 4: Home Affairs, and strategic plan of Department of Home Affairs and its entities accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development on Budget Vote No 21: Justice and Constitutional Development accordingly adopted.
Joint Report of Portfolio Committee on Mining and Portfolio Committee on Energy on joint meeting on Budget Vote No 28: Minerals and Energy accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Labour on Budget Vote No 15: Labour, and the Strategic Plan of the Department of Labour and its public entities accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Public Works on Budget Vote No 5: Public Works, and Strategic Plan 2009/10 – 2011/12 of Department of Public Works and its entities accordingly adopted.
Report of Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on Budget Vote No 23: Agriculture accordingly adopted.
House adjourned at 14:51. ____
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
FRIDAY, 21 AUGUST 2009
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Assembly
The Speaker
- Appointments to Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers
The following persons have been appointed by the President as members
of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-
Bearers in terms of section 3 of the Independent Commission for the
Remuneration of Public Office-bearers Act (No 92 of 1997):
• Judge Phineas Mojapelo, Deputy Judge President of the
Witwatersrand Local Division;
• Dr Mpilenhle Pearl Sithole;
• Dr Mark Herbet Raymond Bussin;
• Mrs Philisiwe Buthelezi.
- Membership of Committees The following changes have been made to the membership of Committees listed below:
PC on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
DA
Appointed:
Pretorius, Mr P J C
Discharged:
Coetzee, Mr T W
PC on Public Works
UDM
Appointed:
Gaehler, Mr L B
Discharged:
Kganyago, Mr N M
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
-
The Minister of Finance
(a) Agreement between the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund and the Government of the Republic of South Africa regarding the Establishment of the Regional Office of the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund on the Territory of the Republic of South Africa, tabled in terms of section 231 (3) of the Constitution, 1996
(b) Explanatory Memorandum to the Agreement between the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund and the Government of the Republic of South Africa regarding the Establishment of the Regional Office of the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund on the Territory of the Republic of South Africa.
(c) Government Notice No R.832 published in Government Gazette No 32484 dated 14 August 2009: Amendment of Schedule No 1 (No 1/1/1383), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
d) Government Notice No R.833 published in Government Gazette No 32484 dated 14 August 2009: Amendment of Schedule No 1 (No 1/1/1384), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
e) Government Notice No R.834 published in Government Gazette No 32484 dated 14 August 2009: Amendment of Schedule No 4 (No 4/319), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
f) Government Notice No R.835 published in Government Gazette No 32484 dated 14 August 2009: Amendment of Schedule No 1 (No 1/1/1385), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
g) Government Notice No R.836 published in Government Gazette No 32484 dated 14 August 2009: Amendment of Schedule No 3 (No 3/648), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
h) Government Notice No R.837 published in Government Gazette No 32484 dated 14 August 2009: Amendment of Schedule No 4 (No 4/320), in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).
-
The Minister of Tourism
(a) Report and Financial Statements of Vote 25 – Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism for 2008-2009, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information of Vote 25 for 2008-2009 [RP 149-2009].
National Assembly
- The Speaker (a) Letters from the Minister of Finance dated 4 August 2009 and 13 August 2009, requesting the relevant parliamentary committees, in terms of section 4(2) of the Land and Agricultural Development Bank Act (No 15 of 2002), to nominate by 28 August 2009, or as soon as possible thereafter, candidates for appointment to the board of the Land Bank. Referred to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for consideration.
(b) A letter dated 7 July 2009 has been received from the Minister
of Police, Mr E N Mthethwa, informing Parliament of the appointment
of Mr Anwa Dramat as Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime
Investigation on 21 May 2009
Referred to the Portfolio Committee on Police.
(c) Report of the Independent Panel Assessment of Parliament.
Referred to the Joint Rules Committee and the Parliamentary
Oversight Authority for consideration and report in terms of their
respective mandates.
(d) Report of the Public Service Commission (PSC) on an Overview of
the Implementation of the Financial Disclosure Framework: Financial
Year 2007/2008 – April 2009 [RP 37-2009].
TUESDAY, 25 AUGUST 2009
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
The Speaker and the Chairperson
- Introduction of Bills
(1) The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
a) Protection of Personal Information Bill [B 9 – 2009] (National
Assembly – proposed sec 75) [Bill and prior notice of its
introduction published in Government Gazette No 32495 of 14
August 2009.]
Introduction and referral to the Portfolio Committee on
Justice and Constitutional Development of the National
Assembly, as well as referral to the Joint Tagging Mechanism
(JTM) for classification in terms of Joint Rule 160.
In terms of Joint Rule 154 written views on the classification
of the Bill may be submitted to the JTM within three
parliamentary working days.
- Classification of Bills by Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM)
(1) The JTM in terms of Joint Rule 160(2) classified the following
Bill as a section 74 Bill:
a) Constitution Seventeenth Amendment Bill [B 8 – 2009] (National
Assembly – sec 74).
-
Calling of a Joint Sitting of Parliament
CALLING OF JOINT SITTING OF PARLIAMENT The Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr M V Sisulu, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr M J Mahlangu, in terms of Joint Rule 7(2), have called a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament for Thursday, 27 August 2009 at 14:00 for a Debate on National Women’s Day.
M V SISULU, MP M J MAHLANGU, MP
SPEAKER OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
TABLINGS
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
-
The Minister of Labour
a) Report and Financial Statements of the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services-Seta) for 2008-2009, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2008-2009 [RP 11-2009].
b) Report and Financial Statements of the Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather Sector Education and Training Authority (CTFL-Seta) for 2008-2009, including the Report of the Auditor- General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2008-2009 [RP 87-2009].
(c) Report and Financial Statements of the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) for 2008-200, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2008-2009 [RP 104-2009].
d) Report and Financial Statements of the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) for 2008-2009, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2008-2009.
e) Report and Financial Statements of the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) for 2008-2009, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2008-2009 [RP 94- 2009].
-
The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs
a) Report and Financial Statements of the Marine Living Resources Fund (MLRF) for 2008-2009, including the Report of the Auditor- General on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2008-2009 [RP 131-2009].
-
The Minister of Human Settlements (a) Report and Financial Statements of the National Housing Finance Corporation Ltd (NHFC) for 2008-2009, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2008-2009.