National Assembly - 13 March 2002
WEDNESDAY, 13 MARCH 2002 __
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
____
The House met at 15:01.
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.
QUESTIONS AND REPLIES - see that book.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM - KYOTO PROTOCOL ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Report adopted without debate.
The SPEAKER: Order! Hon members, I wish to acknowledge in the House Minister Pronk from the Netherlands, also the Secretary-General and Special Envoy on Sustainable Development, a long-standing friend of the democratic South Africa. [Applause.]
Minister Pronk, it is very appropriate that you should be here today because we are aware of your efforts in bringing that protocol into existence, and you are now seeing that this Parliament is endorsing it. Thank you very much, and welcome again. [Applause.]
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mr G D SCHNEEMAN: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House -
(1) notes that -
(a) the Minister of Housing has announced a Cabinet decision to
increase the housing subsidy;
(b) the amount of R3,7 billion allocated this financial year will
increase to R4,1 billion in 2003-04;
(c) a National Saving Scheme for Housing will be introduced,
enabling communities to actively participate in dedicated
savings programmes; and
(d) the Government is reviewing the hostel system, to move away from
the so-called redevelopment of hostels to an approach where
rental stock will be created and maintained;
(2) calls upon communities to participate in the savings programme and in building their own homes; and
(3) congratulates the ANC-led Government on this announcement, which is in line with its commitment to the creation of a better life for all.
Mr D H M GIBSON: Madam Speaker, I give notice that I shall move:
That the House -
(1) notes that the person and the party demonstrably responsible for the monstrous crisis in Zimbabwe is back in power as a result of an election campaign marred by fundamental and serial violations of the rule of law and of human rights over a long period; and
(2) resolves that South Africa should now display bold leadership and -
(a) support the concept of a government of national unity in
Zimbabwe;
(b) supply humanitarian aid and especially food to help avert the
threatening mass starvation;
(c) ally ourselves on the side of human rights and the rule of law;
and
(d) firmly indicate to the Zimbabwean government the consequences of
any further violations of the rule of law and good governance
which would be disastrous for Nepad and for our ambitions for
the rest of the world to take Africa seriously.
[Applause.]
Mr V B NDLOVU: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that I will move on the next sitting day of the House on behalf of the IFP:
That the House -
(1) congratulates the police on having discovered arms and ammunition at a private residence in Pretoria;
(2) hopes that the investigation will lead to the arrest of the criminals involved in bringing arms into this country; and
(3) urges the police to fast-track the investigation in order to expose the syndicate behind these criminals.
Mrs M M MALUMISE: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:
That the House -
(1) notes that a baby died after a generator ran out of diesel in the Northern Province;
(2) believes that this incident warrants serious attention as this constitutes a gross violation of human rights; (3) calls on the hospital authorities and the health department to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of this baby; and
(4) urges them to take appropriate action and preventative measures.
Mrs M E OLCKERS: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:
That the House -
(1) expresses its revulsion at the continued abuse of children, especially of babies;
(2) notes with shock that the sexual abuse of children increased by 400% over the past 10 years;
(3) therefore welcomes the Government’s proposed plans to tighten child pornography laws that will make it easier for the authorities to act against those guilty of such an offence; and
(4) believes that the outcome of the parliamentary task team’s public hearings into child abuse must be the speedy implementation of measures by the Departments of Social Development, of Health and for Justice and Constitutional Development that will ensure an end to this utterly despicable practice.
Mr W G MAKANDA: Madam Speaker, I give notice that I shall move:
That the House -
(1) condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli aggression and brutal massacre of unarmed Palestinian civilians by 150 Israeli tanks in an unprovoked invasion of Ramallah;
(2) notes that -
(a) the world community should acknowledge that this is a state of
war unleashed against innocent civilians by a militarist regime
enjoying US patronage, armed by that country and consequently
disdaining critical international opinion which has repeatedly
expressed outrage at Israeli aggression and occupation of
Palestinian territory; and
(b) the campaign of disinformation and pretext for these attacks are
calculated to nullify Israeli-Palestinian agreements entered
into by previous regimes on which the present administration
reneges; and
(3) calls on the UN Security Council to take appropriate action to halt Israeli incursion and massacre of civilians.
[Applause.]
Mr N B FIHLA: Madam Speaker, I give notice that I shall move on behalf of the ANC: That the House:
(1) notes that the hon the Minister of Correctional Services, Ben Skosana, opened the Pre-release Centre in Devon, Pretoria;
(2) believes that -
(a) the multidisciplinary health approach adopted at this centre
will educate, inform and foster positive health behaviour of
inmates; and
(b) the holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the
rehabilitation and development of inmates embraced by the
Department of Correctional Services is a clear demonstration of
the department's vision and commitment to excellence; and
(3) welcomes the pre-lease programmes, as they will encourage rehabilitation and employment opportunities and prevent recidivism in our prisons. Ms C DUDLEY: Madam Speaker, I give notice that I shall move on behalf of the ACDP:
That the House -
(1) notes with shame that 1st February 2002 marked the anniversary of 5 years of legalised abortion on demand in South Africa and mourns the tragic deaths of over 200 000 South African babies, legally murdered since that date;
(2) salutes the brave doctors and nurses who have refused to submit to inhuman laws, resolutely withstanding Government pressure to participate in the killing of unborn babies;
(3) commends those from many different organisations and churches around the country who solemnly observed the five years of the legalisation of abortion on demand between the 1st and 3rd of February;
(4) notes specifically that - (a) in Cape Town about 80 people held a funeral procession from the Grand Parade to Parliament, mourning the aborted children;
(b) at Parliament, little coffins, flowers and crosses were arranged
outside the main gate and a crowd of about 150 earnestly prayed
for forgiveness and for God's power to overcome this evil;
(c) in Bloemfontein a group, including pastors, gathered outside the
Marie Stopes Clinic in Elizabeth Street; and
(d) in Upington 102 crosses were planted, representing the babies
who lost their lives through abortion at the local hospital last
year; and
(5) calls on the Government to repeal this atrocious law and stop the wholesale slaughter of unborn children in South Africa.
Dr S E M PHEKO: Madam Speaker, I give notice that I shall move:
That the House -
(1) congratulates ZANU-PF on its hard-won victory;
(2) calls on ZANU-PF and the MDC to focus sharply on rebuilding Zimbabwe in the interests of the SADC and Africa;
(3) expresses its gratitude to our parliamentary team which went to observe the Zimbabwean elections;
(4) realises that this was not an easy assignment, since the situation was volatile and full of dangers, including the observers being misunderstood and accused of taking sides by all the contending parties;
(5) sends its condolences to the government of Zambia, which lost one of its observers in Zimbabwe through sudden sickness; and
(6) wishes the people of Zimbabwe peace and prosperity and condemns all forms of interference in the internal affairs of Zimbabwe.
[Applause.]
Mrs M P COETZEE-KASPER: Madam Speaker, I give notice that I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House -
(1) notes -
(a) the shocking reports of the incidence of sexual abuse of
children in UN refugee camps in West Africa; and
(b) that our country is taking rapid and drastic steps towards
addressing this affront to democracy and nonsexism;
(2) commends the timeous and strong reaction of the Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi Annan, in this regard; and
(3) calls on all African leaders to do everything in their power to avoid conflict and to ensure hope for the abused and emaciated African child so that the 21st century truly will become the African century.
[Applause.]
Mrs P W CUPIDO: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move:
That the House -
(1) expresses its disgust at the underhanded way in which the New NP colluded with the ANC to remove Dr Audrey van Zyl from the NCOP;
(2) notes that she was given no significant reasons for her dismissal, nor a reasonable chance to defend herself;
(3) recognises that this is an admission by Mr Van Schalkwyk of deep divisions in the New NP and lack of support for his leadership;
(4) advises all New NP members to beware, as their leader wields the axe before laws are passed to allow parliamentarians to cross the floor; and
(5) questions whether bugging equipment found in the Western Cape legislature was being used by the New NP to test the loyalty of its members.
[Interjections.]
Mr E T FERREIRA: Madam Speaker, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the IFP:
That the House -
(1) congratulates the investigating officers on their work in collecting the positive evidence that led to the arrest of the man who raped and sodomised nine-month-old baby Tshepang in Louisvale, near Upington, in October last year;
(2) urges the community of Louisvale to work together with the police, and not take the law into their own hands, so as to ensure that the court case is finalised as soon as possible and justice can run its course; and
(3) strongly condemns such behaviour and makes it known that people who commit such crimes have no place in our society.
Mr Q J KGAUWE: Madam Speaker, I give notice that I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House -
(1) notes that -
(a) thirty Palestinians died as Israeli forces stormed refugee camps
and occupied Ramallah; and
(b) the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, has
condemned the excessive use of force by Israeli armed forces;
(2) believes that peaceful coexistence and prosperity in the region depend on the commitment of all parties to work towards a peaceful solution of the political problems in the Middle East;
(3) supports the condemnation of Israeli security forces by Mr Kofi Annan; and
(4) calls on all parties to cease fire and to work towards peace in the region.
[Applause.]
Dr P J RABIE: Madam Speaker, I give notice that I shall move on behalf of the New NP:
That the House -
(1) notes that the European Union and the Department of Trade and Industry signed an agreement on Tuesday under which the EU will donate 5,5 billion euros or±R550 million to initiate a risk capital fund for small and medium enterprises;
(2) calls upon all role-players in the private and public sectors to encourage SMMEs to participate;
(3) acknowledges that a prerequisite for future sustained economic growth is to enable the support sectors outside traditional manufacturing, such as tourism, techno-industries, wholesale venture capital, public/private partnerships, agribusiness and small-scale mining, to develop; and
(4) believes that the responsible proactive management of risk capital is essential to advance black empowerment and job creation.
Mr G SOLOMON: Madam Speaker, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House -
(1) notes that the war against crime is not the responsibility of the state alone: ultimate victory also depends upon the support and involvement of the community to bring peace and security to the people in its neighbourhood;
(2) recognises the outstanding contribution of the business and professional people of Grassy Park in Cape Town, who have established the Grassy Park Community Safety Project;
(3) notes that since October 2001 the project has funded 14 police reservists to patrol and protect the area; and
(4) notes that since the introduction of these patrols the police have noted that there has been no major incidence of crime within the project areas.
[Applause.]
Mr D V BLOEM: Madam Speaker, I give notice that I shall move on behalf of the ANC:
That the House -
(1) notes the decision of our President, the hon Thabo Mbeki, and the Minister of Correctional Services, the hon Ben Skosana, to appoint the Jali commission to investigate allegations of corruption, maladministration, violence and intimidation in prisons around the country;
(2) commends the Minister of Correctional Services for his commitment to principles of good governance, transparency and accountability; and
(3) calls on all personnel and members of the Department of Correctional Services to co-operate and ensure that the Jali commission is able to fulfil its mandate.
[Applause.]
Mr C M LOWE: Madam Speaker, I give notice that on the next sitting day of the House I shall move on behalf of the DP:
That the House -
(1) notes -
(a) with shock that the Durban Metro Police Dog Unit's Constable
Prem Mothilall was shot twice in the chest while trying to
apprehend armed suspects and remains in a coma;
(b) that this tragedy was avoidable if the ANC-run Durban Metro
Council had accepted a DA request for bulletproof vests to be
issued to police personnel; and
(c) that the dog unit is striking to protest the council's refusal
to provide bulletproof vests;
(2) extends its sympathies to Constable Mothilall’s family and prays for his recovery; and
(3) calls on the Government to ensure that the metro police receive the same safety equipment as the SAPS personnel, to enable them to carry out their duties with confidence. ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION BILL
(Consideration of Bill and of Report thereon)
Order disposed of without debate.
Report adopted and Bill agreed to.
VETERINARY AND PARA-VETERINARY PROFESSIONS AMENDMENT BILL
(Consideration of Bill and of Report thereon)
Order disposed of without debate.
Report adopted and Bill agreed to.
NATIONAL CONVENTIONAL ARMS CONTROL BILL
(Second Reading debate)
The SPEAKER: Order! Nobody has noticed that we have not dealt with this Order, and you are all being diplomatic and not raising it! [Laughter.] [Applause.]
The Speaker announced that, by agreement, this Order would stand over.
The House adjourned at 17:20. ____
ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
- The Speaker and the Chairperson:
(1) The Minister of Social Development on 4 March 2002 submitted a
draft of the Probation Services Amendment Bill, 2002, as well as
the memorandum explaining the objects of the proposed legislation,
to the Speaker and the Chairperson in terms of Joint Rule 159. The
draft has been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Social
Development and the Select Committee on Social Development by the
Speaker and the Chairperson, respectively, in accordance with
Joint Rule 159(2).
National Assembly:
- The Speaker:
(1) Bills passed by National Assembly on 13 March 2002: To be
submitted to President of the Republic for assent:
(i) Animal Identification Bill [B 49B - 2001] (National
Assembly - sec 75).
(ii)Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Amendment Bill [B
66D - 2001] (National Assembly - sec 75).
- The Speaker:
(1) The following members have been appointed to serve on the
Portfolio Committees mentioned, viz:
Health:
Appointed: Ngculu, L V.
Housing:
Appointed: Kota, Z A.
(2) Mrs Z A Kota has been appointed as chairperson of the Portfolio
Committee on Housing with effect from 13 March 2002.
TABLINGS:
National Assembly and National Council of Provinces:
Papers:
-
The Speaker and the Chairperson: Report of the Auditor-General on the Delays in the tabling of Annual Reports as required by the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999) [RP 45-2002].
-
The Minister of Social Development:
Strategic Plan for Social Development for 2002-2005.
- The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry:
Strategic Plan for Water Affairs and Forestry for 2002-2005.