National Assembly - 27 March 2007
TUESDAY, 27 MARCH 2007 __
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
____
The House met at 14:08.
The Deputy 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.
AGREEMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND
(Draft Resolution)
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Deputy Speaker, I hereby move without notice:
That the House –
(1) notes -
(a) that Catholic and Protestant parties in Northern Ireland,
who were traditionally enemies for decades, have agreed to a
new constitutional arrangement in terms of which they will
share power; and
(b) that in a world beset by trouble and strife it is greatly
encouraging to witness this historic moment; and
(2) wishes Northern Ireland good fortune in all its endeavours.
Agreed to.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BAFANA BAFANA
(Draft Resolution)
Mr M J ELLIS: Deputy Speaker, I hereby move without notice:
That the House –
(1) notes that Bafana Bafana beat Chad 3-0 in an African Cup qualifying match on Saturday, 24 March 2007;
(2) recognises that this was their first official game under new coach Mr Carlos Alberto Parreira;
(3) extends its congratulations to both Mr Parreira and the team; and (4) wishes them well for the rest of their qualifying matches for next year’s African Cup of Nations.
Agreed to.
EXPLOSION IN MOZAMBIQUE
(Draft Resolution)
Ms E NGALEKA: Deputy Speaker, on behalf of the Acting Chief Whip of the Majority Party, I hereby move without notice:
That the House –
(1) notes that -
(a) on Thursday, 22 March 2007, an explosion occurred at the
military depot in Maputo, Mozambique; and
(b) the explosion claimed the lives of more than one hundred people
and that more than five hundred have been injured when debris
fell on nearby residential and commercial sites;
(2) wishes the injured a speedy recovery; and
(3) conveys its deep-felt condolences to the government and the people of Mozambique.
Agreed to.
DEATH OF BOB WOOLMER
(Draft Resolution)
Mr T D LEE: Deputy Speaker, I hereby move without notice:
That the House -
(1) notes with profound sadness the death of former Proteas and Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer on Sunday, 18 March 2007;
(2) recognises that he was an outstanding coach and one of the fathers of the development of South African cricket;
(3) acknowledges the fundamental role he played in the advancement of previously disadvantaged cricketers;
(4) further acknowledges that he will be sorely missed by the cricket community; and
(5) conveys its condolences to the Woolmer family. Agreed to.
EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF OPERATIONS
(Draft Resolution)
Ms E NGALEKA: Deputy Speaker, I hereby move on behalf of the Acting Chief Whip of the Majority Party:
That the House concurs that the President by proclamation in the Gazette extend the period of operation of sections 51 and 52 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997 (Act No 105 of 1997), in terms of section 53(2) of the said Act for a further period of two years, with effect from 1 May 2007.
Agreed to.
RECONVENING OF COMMITTEE ON OPERATIONS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC
PROTECTOR
(Draft Resolution)
Ms E NGALEKA: Deputy Speaker, I hereby move on behalf of the Acting Chief Whip of the Majority Party:
That the House - (1) notes that -
(a) the Ad Hoc Committee on Operational Problems in the Office of
the Public Protector was established by the Speaker in terms of
Rule 214 on 31 July 2006 and subsequently ratified by this
House on 15 August 2006; and
(b) the House adopted the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on 7
September 2006, which recommended substantive confidence-
building measures and the reconvening of the Committee before
the end of March 2007 to assess progress made and to determine
any further action that may be required to ensure that the
office is able to fulfil its constitutional and legislative
mandate; and
(2) resolves that the Ad Hoc Committee on Operational Problems in the Office of the Public Protector be reconvened, the committee to -
(a) assess progress made and to determine any further action that
may be required to ensure that the office is able to fulfil its
constitutional and legislative mandate;
(b) exercise those powers in Rule 138 that may assist it in carrying
out its functions; and
(c) submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the
House by 2 July 2007.
Agreed to.
FIRST READING DEBATES
(Draft Resolution)
Ms E NGALEKA: Deputy Speaker, I hereby move on behalf of the Acting Chief Whip of the Majority Party:
That the House -
(1) approves, for a trial period until the end of the Second Term, the implementation of the provision in Rule 246(1) for a First Reading debate on bills introduced in the Assembly, except money bills, in accordance with the following guidelines and notwithstanding any Rules to the contrary:
(a) A First Reading debate may be conducted on bills introduced in
the Assembly.
(b) There shall be no speakers’ list for a First Reading debate.
(c) The member in charge of a bill, be it a Minister, a member or a
representative of a portfolio committee, must be allocated
fifteen minutes to make an introductory speech on the
background to, reasons for and objects of the bill, and to
reply to the debate.
(d) In the case of a bill introduced by the Executive, a Deputy
Minister may participate in the First Reading debate on behalf
of a Minister.
(e) Members may speak on the bill for no longer than three minutes
each.
(f) With the exception of the member in charge of the bill, or a
Deputy Minister participating on behalf of the Minister, a
member granted an opportunity to speak will not be given a
second opportunity in the same debate.
(g) Members intending to participate in the debate must press the
“to speak” button on their desks.
(h) Decisions regarding the scheduling of First Reading debates are
taken by the Programme Committee.
(i) If a bill is introduced in the Assembly during a non-plenary
period, it may be scheduled for a First Reading debate as soon
as possible upon the resumption of plenaries.
(j) Once the speeches have been made, a bill is regarded as having
been read a first time.
(k) No amendment to a bill is allowed on its First Reading and no
decisions will be taken by the House after a First Reading
debate; and
(2) agrees to an assessment and review of these measures by the Programme Committee after the expiry of the trial period and, if required, the recommendation of specific Rule adjustments to the Rules Committee.
Agreed to.
ASSISTANCE TO THE POLICE TO FIGHT CRIME
(Member’s Statement)
Mong S L DITHEBE (ANC): Motlatsa-Spika, dibekeng tse pedi tse fetileng, eleng ka 10 Hlakubele 2007, baahi ba Ward 10, Masepaleng wa Matjhabeng ba hlahetswe ke koduwa ya ho fenethwa ha batjha ba bararo eleng Nozlilo Moeti le Masechaba Moeti, ba hlabilweng ka thipa le ho thungwa, e ka sita le ho betwa ke mmolai wa bona. Motswala wa bona eleng Teboho o fenethetswe ka thipa sebakeng se seng hoole le lapeng labo. Re tshepa hore le mona, seponesa se tla fumana phunyeletso dipatlisisong tsa sona.
Ka letsatsi le hlahlamang ke ile ka tshetlehela matshwele a baahi puo mmoho le baemedi ba seponesa ha mmoho le baetapele ba bang ba setjhaba. Teng baahi bane ba tshwere, kapa hona ho phahamisa dipolakathe tse ngotsweng ka tsela ena: “Masechaba, Nozlilo le Teboho ba fenithilwe; Motho e mong le emong o na le tokelo ya ho phela, Ha re aheng metse e bolokehileng - build safer communities”. Tse ding di ne di re: “kutlwelobohloko ho diphofu tsa botlokotsebe – solidarity with victims of crime, Thusa seponesa ho fedisa botlokotseba- help the police to fight crime”. Kopo ya setjhaba e nngwe ke hore, ba batla ho phela ba sereletsehile mme ba ikemiseditse ho thusa seponesa ho etsa jwalo.
Qetellong ya tshebeletso ya bofifi, seponesa se tlalehile hore ba babedi ba babolai ba se ba tshwere. Setjhaba se thabetse hoo, empa kopo ya bona ke hore, babelaellwa ba se fumantshwe beile ka baka la ketso eo e sehloho.
Ho dima ho le jwalo, emong wa babelaellwa o se a ile a fenetha morwetsana e mong hona woteng ena dilemong tsa ka bang tse pedi tse fetileng. Ke rata hore re theoletse baahi ba ward 10, haholo batjha ka hore ba nke qeto ya hore batla paterola mebila mmoho le seponesa sa rona. Tsela e tshepehang ya ho thibela dipolao tsena ke ho tsetela hlompho ya ditokelo tsa motho emong le emong dikelellong tsa rona. Motho ke motho ka batho- I am becaue we are and since we are therefore I am. Ebile re rata ho lebisa le matshediso a rona ho lelapa lena la diphofu tsena tse seng di bolokilwe, ebile re leboha le setjhaba ka thuso ya sona ya ho thusa ho pata barwetsana bana ba babedi le motswala wa bona. Ka hoo ra a leboha. (Translation of Sesotho member’s statement follows.)
[Mr S L DITHEBE (ANC): Deputy Speaker, two weeks ago, on 10 March 2007, Ward 10 residents in the Matjhabeng Municipality experienced a tragedy of the murder of three youths. Nozililo and Masechaba Moeti were raped, stabbed and shot to death by their assailant. Tebogo, the cousin of the deceased, was stabbed to death in a place not far away from his home. We hope even here police will succeed in their investigations.
The following day I addressed community masses, including police representatives and community leaders. Community members had placards on which was written “Masechaba, Nozililo and Tebogo were murdered; Each and every person has a right to live, Let’s build safe communities”. On others was written: “Solidarity with crime victims, help the police to fight crime”. Another plea from the community was that they need to be protected. They are therefore committed to helping the police to do so.
At the end of the memorial service, police reported that two of the suspects had just been arrested. The community was pleased with the report, but made a request that the suspects should not be granted bail, due to the gruesome deed.
In addition to these murders, one of the suspects once murdered a young girl in the same ward about two years ago. I would like to applaud the ward 10 residents, especially the youth, for taking a decision to patrol the streets together with our police.
The credible way of preventing these murders is to instil respect for each and everyone’s human rights in our minds. I am, because we are, and since we are, therefore I am. We would also like to convey our condolences to the family of the victims that are already buried. We also thank the community for its support in burying the bodies of these two young girls and their cousin. We are therefore thankful.]
JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE
(Member’s Statement)
Mrs S M CAMERER (DA): Madam Deputy Speaker, while some reassuring sentiments are expressed in the ANC’s policy document on the transformation of the judicial system, nevertheless warning lights are flickering around the issue of the rules of court, which is already making waves in the legal fraternity. At present the Constitutional Court makes its own rules; judges- president have limited powers to create rules while there is a rules board chaired by a judge, which isn’t in charge of rules of court and rule development.
In terms of the package of Bills undermining the independence of the judiciary published by the Minister of Justice two years ago, which caused such a furore, the Minister of Justice assumed responsibility for and control over the rules of court.
There was great relief last year when President Mbeki himself eventually stepped in and withdrew the Bills to be reconsidered in terms of a White Paper on Judicial Transformation. The Minister of Justice has told Parliament that the White Paper is still being prepared. However, the ANC policy document affirms that rule making is a legislative competence and the power of rule making is delegated to the executive.
At the same time, the document states that the Minister of Justice is required to take into consideration the views of the judiciary in relation to matters which have a bearing on the proper functioning of the courts and administration of justice.
What the judiciary said about this in its memorandum to the department on the controversial Bill is as follows: In principle, rule-making power should vest in neither the executive nor the legislature. The power of judges to make rules of court is an ancient one and underlies section 173 of the Constitution, which provides that the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal and the High Courts have the inherent power to protect and regulate their own processes.
Hopefully, the Minister of Justice will be honest enough to share the views of the judiciary around this and other aspects of judicial transformation with delegates at the ANC’s upcoming policy conference. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]
QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY SUBMITTED TO PRESIDENT
(Member’s Statement)
Mrs S A SEATON (IFP): Madam Deputy Speaker, the IFP submitted a question for oral reply to the President of the Republic to Parliament’s Questions Office. We wanted to ask the President whether he agrees that as political office-bearers we are elected to serve the electorate and to be accountable to them and if he believed that it is morally and ethically correct that the ANC raises funds by selling membership to an elite group that may get preferential treatment and potentially elicit favours from Ministers, Deputy Ministers and senior civil servants.
The IFP believed, and still does, that this is a legitimate question to ask the President, as members of his executive – the Cabinet which he heads - were doing the fundraising in their official capacities, but we were blocked by the presiding officers. The answer to this could have shed lots of light on the ANC’s perception of what is morally correct and defensible in a modern democratic state.
The IFP would like to reiterate that we believe that the funding scheme of the ANC is immoral and it is proof of how they manipulate and misuse their powers. Politicians are elected to serve the people and thus the ANC cannot charge for the service.
Extremely impoverished people, who also fought in the liberation struggle, are supporters of the ANC too. So, what is the ANC now trying to tell its voters? That you can only spend time with the people you elected as their leaders if you have between R3 000 and R60 000 for an ANC progressive business forum membership? It’s ridiculous!
The IFP believes it is time for all voters to think seriously about where they place their votes in future. Can South Africa continue having the country governed by a party that only serves its paying sponsors?
Everyone agrees … [Time expired.] [Applause.]
RDP HOUSES
(Member’s Statement)
Mr S M RASMENI (ANC): Madam Deputy Speaker, we in this House would like to commend the sterling work done by the ANC, in particular the ANC Youth League in Maquassi Hills. Ha, umavukayibambe! [The ever-shining one!]
They have shown commitment in working together with government to identify service delivery blockages in Tswelelang Extension 10, where RDP houses built by contractors are in a state of collapse. No less than 50 houses have cracked walls. Foundations are not up to standard and some walls are literally collapsing. This in turn undermines the ANC-led government programme of pushing back the frontiers of poverty. It also undermines the principle of creating a better and a caring society. This is tantamount to sabotage. Such corrupt practices must be brought to book as they are damaging the image of the government. Let us name and shame such construction companies and the individuals involved in such contracts.
Inefficient service delivery is no delivery. We call on the government to intensify its monitoring mechanisms, to ensure that specifications and standards are adhered to by contractors and even call on the NHBRC to inspect all RDP houses built thus far. Thank you very much. [Applause.] CRUELTY IN THE SUDAN
(Member’s Statement)
Rev K R J MESHOE (ACDP): Madam Deputy Speaker, the latest reports about the Sudanese government’s cruelty and persistent drive in its ethnic cleansing campaign in Darfur deserve strong condemnation. That brutal government and the Janjaweed militia that has burnt and destroyed hundreds of villages, killed and caused the deaths of at least 200 000 and raped and assaulted thousands of women and girls, has now closed off the main supply route to a town that was held by rebels about five months ago. Food assistance, medicine and other vital supplies cannot be delivered by aid groups, as their workers have been targeted by militiamen.
Government forces that have waged a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing against the civilian population who are members of the same ethnic group as the rebels must be ordered by the international community to stop their ethnic cleansing campaign and also be ordered to allow easy access of humanitarian supplies to the sick and most vulnerable civilian population in the south-east of the Jebel Marrah region. Children must be allowed access to education, and clinics that are closed must be opened so that the sick can receive medical treatment and medication. I thank you. [Applause.]
CHILD MAINTENANCE
(Member’s Statement)
Ms F BATYI (ID): Chairperson, I have personally made a stand against men who do not pay child maintenance. It was an issue that I took up in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence last year, but I have turned it into the 365 days of action. So far, with the help of members of the Mitchells Plain Police Station, in particular Inspector Eugene Goliath, we have successfully made about 30 arrests.
Our efforts, though, are a last resort and it is a sentiment of those who have to deal with maintenance from the side of the law that the current system is inadequate. This was demonstrated recently when I helped in the arrest of a man who had not paid maintenance for 13 years. The gentleman then made bail.
It is unsatisfactory that he can pay bail and not maintenance. The ID would like to ask for the current system to be re-evaluated and I ask more Members of Parliament to encourage the men of this country to pay child maintenance. I thank you.
ELECTRICITY INSTALLATION IN SISONKE
(Member’s Statement)
Mr T L MAHLABA (ANC): Deputy Speaker, hon members, the ANC-led government has consistently displayed an ability to deliver on its commitment to the people. Yet, we have certain targets that need us as members, as part of our oversight function, to fight what could be stumbling blocks and bureaucracy that could cause a failure to the achievement of the set goals. The issue of electricity is one of the challenges that face the Sisonke District Municipality.
Currently, the power stations around the area cannot cope with the demand for electricity. This affects two district areas – Ugu Municipality and Sisonke. Under Ugu you have Umzumbe and Vulamehlo and under Sisonke you’ve Ubuhlobezwe and Ingwe Municipalities. Ubuhlobezwe Municipality has less than 50% household connections currently.
The specific request from my community is for the Department of Minerals and Energy to prioritise the building of the Canterton and Corinth power stations. This should be followed by more funding provided to these municipalities. The above will assist in areas like Hluthankungu, eGudwini, Sangcwaba, Mahehle and the broader area of Ubuhlobezwe Municipality. The community has trust in the ANC-led government and are prepared to work with it. Thank you.
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
(Member’s Statement) Dr G G WOODS (NADECO): Madam Deputy Speaker, the greatness of a country is not only found in its economic growth and social development towards political stability, it is found in the way the country is able to advocate and respond to issues affecting the future generation – the country’s children.
Presently, there are members of our society whose rights as children are not being adequately accommodated. In particular, our children face a number of serious social challenges as victims of sexual exploitation and other criminal activities.
If we consider, for example, that over 55 000 children are reported to be physically abused annually in South Africa, we start to understand the extent of the situation in the country.
Recent research has also shown that sexual predators are now targeting Third World and developing countries. I think it is also the case of the entertainment media – television, in particular, which exposes children to much deviant and harmful social behaviour of a violent and sexual nature.
As Nadeco, we strongly believe that the sexual exploitation of children is an offence to the dignity of all of us. We urge that this Parliament strongly intervenes to expedite the finalisation and implementation of the Bills such as the Children’s Amendment Act, the Sexual Offences Bill and the Child Justice Bill. Thank you.
CORRUPTION
(Member’s Statement)
Mr S SIMMONS (UPSA): Deputy Speaker, I think we have consensus across the political spectrum that corruption is one of the most single debilitating harnesses in the way of ensuring a better life for all.
We also agree that government has an important role to play in this fight against corruption.
But it is the opposition that has an especially important role to play in this regard insofar as it fulfils its primary duties of oversight and keeping the government on its toes where these matters are concerned.
It becomes a problem, however, when the very people of all parties claiming to have the corruption moral high ground, have in their own ranks people who apparently occupy themselves with corruption of the highest order.
Die jongste hiervan, agb Adjunk-Speaker, is die bewering dat ‘n DA-raadslid van Wyk 17 in die Kaapstad en haar handlanger die behuisinglys manipuleer en mense tot R5 000 laat betaal om kastig te verseker dat hulle voorkeur behandeling sal kry. Dit is ‘n ernstige aanklag teen die integriteit van die DA en alles wat dié party tot dusver oor korrupsie te sê gehad het aangesien hierdie raadslid juis in haar vorige termyn gebuk gegaan het onder soortgelyke bewerings. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The latest of these, hon Deputy Speaker, being the allegation that a DA member of Ward 17 in Cape Town, and her henchman, manipulated the housing list and charged people up to R5 000 under the pretence that they would receive preferential treatment. This is a serious allegation reflecting on the DA’s integrity and this party’s stance on corruption to date, especially as similar allegations were levelled against this member during her previous term of office.]
Madam Speaker, it is we, as the opposition party, who want to step on the government’s toes when it is alleged that there is corruption somewhere, and we need to make sure that we aren’t culprits ourselves. I thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
(Member’s Statement)
Mr C M LOWE (DA): Deputy Speaker, there is nothing wrong with ``governing- by-acronyms’’ if the results are produced and the direction is clear, but not if it serves only as a platform for government from which to issue vague statements that either gloat over insignificant or ineffectual successes, admit that there’s a problem but ignore the particulars, or fail to be engaged in possible solutions.
This, however, seems to be exactly what government is doing with the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa, Asgisa, and particularly its skills arm, on the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition, Jipsa.
The Deputy President has just announced ambitiously that the skills shortage is again high on intent, but low on content, and seems to promise little more than to further entangle the ANC government in yet another string of unaccomplished targets. We are not told how government aims to do this.
Ostensibly everyone is also engaged in the departmental ``turf wars’’ that are blamed for Asgisa’s woes or perhaps are rather blissfully unaware of and excluded from the process.
The Labour department’s strategic plan presented to the portfolio committee this morning also did not contain any word on it.
The Deputy President sought to address the skills development programme a year ago at the launch of Jipsa. We still await her promised skills revolution.
In the meantime the DA is after the barrage of possible solutions where government remains floundering - most notably with the expensive red-tape- driven with scandal- prone state information technology agencies, or Sitas.
South Africa, a lot of people who work in it, deserves better. Thank you. [Applause.]
MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN ZWIDE
(Member’s Statement)
Mr N B FIHLA (ANC): Madam Speaker, this House must note some of the current development initiatives in bringing about a better life for all. In the Herald of 12 March 2007, it is reported that about R 30 million has been allocated to build a multipurpose community centre in the Zwide Township of Port Elizabeth.
We should warmly welcome this initiative. The initiative is taking place within the context of the partnership between government and the business sector to build community facilities in order to provide better services for the people and the poor in particular. We must remember that the Zwide Township is one of the communities that were ravaged by apartheid in our country. As the ANC, it is important to ensure that development does not become a project for the elite section within the historically oppressed communities. Such community facilities should be developed in the interest of the poor.
In the context of the Correctional Services, this multipurpose community centre will help to advance social integration of offenders through counselling services and technological skills training of the ex-prisoners or parolees, it will help to advance community correction and help to implement noncustodial sentences by way of offering different programmes for different needs for different offenders. I thank you.
UNDERAGE DRINKING
(Member’s Statement)
Prof E S CHANG (IFP): Deputy Madam Speaker, the IFP welcomes the recent closure of the Refresh Nightclub in Overport, Durban after 57 underage drinkers were caught in a surprise raid. The discovery of the drinking teenagers has caused a huge public outcry about the prevalence of underage drinking and drug abuse in a country in which the rate of crime and sexual abuse is really high.
Alcohol is also seen as a chief factor among the three leading causes of death of young people, namely automobile crashes, homicides and suicides. The recent shooting and wounding of a 16-year-old girl outside the same Refresh Nightclub is a testimony to the ongoing nature of the worst behavioural effects associated with underage and heavy drinking. Sanca in Durban treats hundreds of young victims from the age of 12 to 18 every year as a result of susceptibilities to harmful substances.
The IFP, therefore, calls upon the Liquor Licence Board and the entire law enforcement agencies to get on top of nightclubs and shebeens that sell alcohol to underage drinkers. The IFP is concerned that this kind of lawlessness and the moral decay of the young generation is not only limited to KZN but has serious national dimensions. The law therefore should not only be applied but it must be seen to be applied. I thank you.
WOMEN’S MARCH
(Member’s Statement)
Ms D B MBOMBO (ANC): I need protection from my colleagues, Madam Chair. The Cabinet meeting on 7 December 2005 tasked the Department of Arts and Culture to lead the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the women’s anti-pass march of August 1956.
Two book launches on 8 and 9 March held respectively in Johannesburg and Cape Town drew the 50th anniversary commemoration to a close. Three books specifically commissioned for the commemoration were launched at these events. The first was a photographic essay executed by a number of South African women photographers, entitled Women by Women. The second is a collection of writings by South Africa women dating from the mid 19th century to the present, titled The Face of the Spirit, and the third is an anthology titled Tshimakadzo, featuring new women poets who have hitherto not been published.
ISebe lezoBugcisa neNkcubeko liqonde ngokukodwa kwiintombi ezikwizikolo zamabanga aphakamileyo, kumakhaya okhuseleko, nakwezihlala kwiindawo ezisaphuhliswayo. [The Department of Arts and Culture is focused especially on young girls who are at high schools, boarding schools, and on those who stay in developing areas.]
We had three of them coming from informal settlements in the Free State.
Aba ndithetha ngabo bathathe inxaxheba kukhuphiswano lukazwelonke, saze isiphumo soko saba kukuvakalisa amazwi amatsha, kwaze kwabhalwa nencwadi yemibongo … [Laphela ixesha.] [Those that I’m referring to participated in the national competition for the development of new terminology which resulted in the writing of a poetry book… [Time expired.]]
INDEPENDENT COMPLAINTS DIRECTORATE
(Member’s Statement)
Ms D KOHLER-BARNARD (DA): Madam Deputy Speaker, last year the SA Police Service’s Commissioner, Jackie Selebi, told the DA that the Independent Complaints Directorate had “outlived its usefulness and could be dissolved”, leaving the South African Police Service to police itself.
Yesterday the Portfolio Committee on Safety and Security sat for five hours interrogating the top structure of the ICD and we discovered that there had been a 28% increase in the number of people killed whilst in police custody by the police. This organisation that Commissioner Selebi wants to see the back of had 4 950 cases of police abuse and negligence reported to it just this past year and of those cases 439 referred to murders by the police, with an additional 248 people who died in police custody.
Intentional shootings are up by 200% and being investigated by this independent organisation, despite enormous capacity and budget constraints. Let me point out to this House that if it were not for the ICD there would be nothing to check on excesses by the police and nothing to uphold a very democratic principle, a principle Commissioner Selebi would do very well to attempt to grasp. Strengthen the ICD, don’t abolish it. [Applause.]
EDUCATION WHITE PAPER
(Member’s Statement)
Mong M J MZONDEKI (ANC): Ke ya leboha Motlatsa-Spikara. Mmuso o etelletsweng pele ke ANC o ile wa nka qeto ya ho fitisa Molawana ho tsa dithutho- The White Paper Number 6. Sepheho sa Molawana ona, ke ho netefatsa hore barutwana ba sa itekanelang ha ba kgethollwe ka hore ba qobeleha ho kana dikolo tse ikgethileng – special schools.
Molawana ona o netefatsa hore barutwana ba sa itekanelang le bona ba amohelwe dikolong tse tlwaelehileng, e leng mainstream schools. Ho netefatsa hore hona ho ya phethahala, tse ding tsa dikolo tse ikgethileng di fetoletswe hoba di-resource centres, e leng dibaka tse tla eletsang dikolo tse qalang ho amohela barutwana ba sa itekanelang.
Se seng sa dikolo tse sebetsang e le resource centre ke Leboneng Special School, mane Welkom, Lejweleputswa District Municipality. Ketelong ya ka sekolong sena ke hlokomedisitswe ka moo mathata a mangata a etsang hore sekolo sena se seke sa sebetsa hantle jwalo ka Resource Centre. A mang a mathata a hlwahilweng ke diphaphosi tse haellang, ho se be teng ha di Therapist, sick bay, hosetele ya bana ba dulang hole le dipalangwa tse haellang.
Mooki wa sekolong eo e leng ena ya thusang dikolong ha ana sepalangwa sa lefapha, o sebedisa koloi ya hae. Maemo ana a ya hlobaetsa, mme a tla etsa hore re se fihlelle sepheho sa rona sa ho lwantsa kgethollo ya barutwana ba sa itekanelang. Ke ya leboha. (Translation of Sesotho member’s statement follows.)
[Mr M J MZONDEKI (ANC): Thank you, Deputy Speaker. The ANC-led government took the decision to pass the Bill on education – The White Paper 6. The purpose of this Bill is to ensure that disabled learners are not discriminated against by being forced to attend special schools.
This Bill ensures that disabled learners are also admitted to mainstream schools. In order to make certain that this happens, some special schools have been converted into resource centres, which will be used as centres that give advice to schools that have just started to admit disabled learners.
One of the schools that works as a resource centre is Leboneng Special School in Welkom, Lejweleputswa District Municipality. While visiting the school I was made aware of the many problems that hinder the proper functioning of the school as a resource centre. Some of the problems highlighted were: the shortage of classrooms, no therapist available, no sick bay, no hostel for learners who live far away, and a shortage of transport.
The school nurse who helps around the schools has no transport provided by the department, she uses her own car. This is a worrying state of affairs and will defeat our purpose of fighting discrimination against disabled learners. Thank you.]
INDEPENDENT COMPLAINTS STRUCTURE
(Minister’s Response)
The MINISTER OF SAFETY AND SECURITY: Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker, it is a real pity that in South Africa there are still people who thrive on controversy. I don’t understand how anyone could use a statement which is not the official position and want to cast an attitude on the basis of such a statement. The hon Kohler-Barnard is talking about a statement by the National Commissioner.
The fact of the matter is that I spoke in this House and put the official position. In fact, the official position is exactly as she is saying it, because that is exactly what I said in this House. I reiterated this in the NCOP as well and I did not just talk about these things. It is our view that the ICD indeed must be strengthened and we’ve travelled quite some distance in order for us to be able to do that.
It is not our intention to close down the ICD: that’s what I said in this House. I said the ICD was a necessary structure in terms of our democratic dispensation, which I said in the NCOP. That is the official position, and all other positions will be taken up by people who want to continue to be controversial. [Interjections.] [Applause.]
FUNDRAISING BY MEMBERS
(Minister’s Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF FINANCE: The hon member from the IFP presented a gross distortion of the ANC’s fundraising endeavours. I think it is important for the House to note the following: Firstly, ANC Ministers are community members and they continuously interact with communities. This is a duty and responsibility that we will continue to do. It is our task and our mission!
Secondly, ANC Ministers continue, on a daily basis, to be invited to be speakers and guest speakers by a whole range of organisations – professional organisations, civil organisations and a whole range of NGOs. We do this in a clear endeavour to consult, participate and interact with people. That is what we continue to do and that is what we are going to continue do. [Applause.]
Thirdly, ANC Ministers are also invited to attend the fundraising endeavours of a number of civil society organisations. We do this. We sit at tables and, to a large extent, the ANC Ministers are keynote speakers. Those organisations and NGOs raise funds around those activities and we will continue to do that. It is something that we believe in. [Applause.]
But, what we don’t understand is the whole avalanche of criticism when the ANC used the resources at its disposal, both material and personnel, to raise its own funds legitimately, legally and transparently. And I want the member to tell us: Is there is anything wrong with the ANC organising a fundraiser, inviting its own members to participate in that and raise funds? If that is wrong, then what is right in South Africa? [Applause.]
ASGISA; INDEPENDENT COMPLAINTS STRUCTURE;
EDUCATION WHITE PAPER;
SITUATION IN DARFUR
(Minister’s Responses)
The MINISTER OF EDUCATION: I would advise the hon member, who has made the most unfortunate comments concerning the Deputy President’s presentation of her annual reports on both the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa as well as the Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition, to read both reports because then he would have the information available to him which would assist him in not making wild and inaccurate statements about what has been done. Those reports are available and I certainly invite the hon member to go through them.
I think we don’t need to repeat what has been done with respect to the skills focus. He could read the annual reports of the Department of Education and he will find in my own strategic plan that in fact there is a key reference to the very programmes that the Deputy President has referred to.
We have indeed completed a great deal of the recapitalisation of FET Colleges; the 11 programmes I referred to last year and modern skills development programmes are in place in the FET Colleges throughout the country; we have admitted 24 700 students to these new programmes; engineering, information technology, media studies, and a whole range of skills areas are being addressed; we will admit 24 000 more students in
- Therefore, the objective of 50 000 young people in these new programmes would have been achieved.
With respect to universities, we have made available to the institutions that have engineering faculties additional funding for them to admit expanded numbers of students to pursue degrees in engineering, to improve their engineering workshop facilities, and to improve tutoring to students so that the throughput rate is improved.
With respect to graduate placement, we have been working with engineering societies to ensure that registration of graduates is indeed completed.
With expanding Maths and Science, we continue with our initiatives in schools and at university level. You are aware of the National Youth Service and the expansion of the programmes there. You are also aware of the worth of the Umsobomvu Youth Fund where it seeks to appoint and support young people in entrepreneurship programmes.
As a Member of Parliament, you should be aware, you should be reading the reports and you should be coming here as the hon Mzondeki has done to point out where there might be inadequacies. I will certainly follow up, hon Mzondeki, the Welkom school situation because the resource centres should indeed be adequately supported. But, I would encourage the hon member to look at the reports, both with respect to Asgisa and the economic work that you fully know is being carried out – the infrastructure development, the various programmes in the public sector as well as the state-owned enterprises.
You are aware that we are retaining attention to the core-fundamentals of our economy as we pursue the 6% growth target. You are fully aware that government is intent on ensuring it achieves its objectives of growing the economy and massively eroding the levels of poverty that we see in our society. So, I would urge you to come to the House with accurate information and perhaps an indication of the steps you will take to ensure that these objectives, which in the interest of all the people of South Africa, are indeed pursued and achieved.
In conclusion, if I could say, one would certainly agree that we must ensure promotion and support for the rights of the people of Darfur and continue the efforts of the AU in finding a solution to the current plight faced by the people of Darfur. So, we would agree with the leader of the ACDP that certainly as Parliament, perhaps at the IPU as we engage with colleagues from other Parliaments, we look at how we as parliamentarians could play a greater role in advancing civil rights and the observance of the International Human Rights Law in the Darfur context - both by the government of Sudan as well as the rebels within the Darfur region.
I certainly would also agree with the hon member from the ID that we must continue as Members of Parliament, and not as women Members of Parliament but all Members of Parliament, to fight for maintenance to be paid for all children who we give life to as adults in our society. So, certainly we would support that approach. [Applause.]
We also would agree with the hon Gavin Woods that the rights of children must be protected and that if there is an instance where the media is perhaps not playing the role that it should, action should be taken, both in law and in statute, to ensure that our children are not abused or presented in a negative fashion through the media. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. [Applause.]
SEXUAL OFFENCES BILL
(Minister’s Response)
The DEPUTY MINISTER FOR PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Madam Speaker, I think Minister Naledi Pandor has already covered this, because I was going to speak on the Sexual Offences Bill, and with regard to the Sixteen Days of No Violence Against Women and Children, and the 365-day campaign, but it has already been covered. Thank you.
EKURHULENI DECLARATION ON THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION; THE FORTHCOMING GLOBAL FORUM ON COMBATING CORRUPTION AND SAFEGUARDING INTEGRITY
(Statement)
The MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION: Madam Speaker, the South African government, together with the African Union Commission and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, hosted the first-ever Africa forum on fighting corruption in Gauteng earlier this month.
This gathering brought together some 450 delegates representing governments, multilateral organisations and structures of civil society from across the African continent, under the theme ``Towards a common understanding of corruption’’.
We all agreed that corruption is a direct impediment to Africa’s development. The forum gave us an opportunity to share perceptions and experiences of corruption strategies and best practices, as well as to deliberate on how we work together to create effective structures, policies and programmes to counter corruption.
We also adopted the Ekurhuleni Declaration as a lodestar in the ongoing fight against corruption. The Ekurhuleni Declaration defines corruption as including theft, fraud, bribery, extortion, nepotism, patronage and the laundering of illicit proceeds.
This marks a significant departure from the traditional and narrow and restricted definition which focuses the gaze of attention on the recipient of the bribe in cases where there is abuse and misuse of public power and public resources for private benefit.
There was and is an agreement that corruption occurs both in the public and private spheres of society, and organs of civil society are also susceptible to acts of corruption. There is a supply side and a demand side to corruption. There is the corruptor and the corrupted.
That corruption was largely seen as a public sector vice is due in part to the use of tools such as the corruption perception index as a measure of corruption. This index, pioneered by Transparency International, surveys the opinions of the private sector on public sector corruption in developing countries, and it is based primarily on the perceptions of business on whether they have to pay bribes to the public sector in different countries. Not only does it not focus on whether companies have actually been asked to pay bribes or have paid bribes, it focuses only on the taker of bribes and imputes no culpability to the payers of bribes.
The recently released report on corruption in the private sector in South Africa, commissioned by the National Anti-Corruption Forum Private Sector Component, highlights the significant incidence of bribery and corruption in the private sector.
It also highlights the low level of awareness of business of the statutory requirements to report corruption to the police. Seventy-nine per cent of companies were unaware of this.
The Africa Forum called for standardised methodologies to measure corruption and for baseline studies to be undertaken so that the effectiveness of policy interventions can be assessed over time. The broader definition of corruption requires that new and more comprehensive measures be implemented to counter corruption. It demands that it is not just the developing countries that need to take action, but that international and cross-border co-operation is vital in halting the tide of unscrupulous behaviour. The African Forum agreed on the kinds of measures that need to be implemented on the continent, and it’s now up to us to pressure the developed countries to co-operate with us in prosecuting acts of corruption when committed by their nationals, whether natural or legal entities.
What is very important, however, and which was considered by the Africa Forum, was the centrality of a national integrity system in the bid to combat corruption, and the forum stressed that it must be premised on a sound value system that draws upon traditional, communal, egalitarian and democratic principles.
These national values should permeate the structures of the state and civil society with the principles and practices prevalent in a vibrant democracy, including transparency, freedom of speech, access to information, free and fair elections, a strong judicial system and holding the executive to account.
Our values have been distorted and corroded by colonialism and apartheid. The onus on the leadership echelon in African society, in all sectors, not just political leaders, is to resuscitate our traditional value systems based on the concepts of Ubuntu and Ujamaa, and to marginalise the trend towards possessive individualism, spawned by market fundamentalism, in which the scramble for material possessions takes precedence over the collective good.
It is opportune that today Parliament launches its new emblem with “the people” at its base and with a commitment to an open and inclusive society. The new emblem combines the traditional forms of societal engagement, of people working together, as depicted by the drum with the modern principles of democracy as enunciated in our Constitution. So, we all have a commitment. We all have a responsibility to take it forward. Our commitment is to a people-centred society where justice shall prevail. It is these very principles that must transform our approach to combating corruption.
The structural component of the national integrity system is based on a set of institutions that provide checks and balances in the execution of state power, as well as law enforcement bodies and organs of civil society. Addressing this House, I must emphasise that this institution lies at the centre of these structures. It is the primary institution that exercises oversight over the government. Other bodies that monitor government report to Parliament, and funding for other state bodies and law enforcement agencies are approved by the legislature.
Parliament has implemented a Register of Members’ Interests and promulgated the Executive Members Ethics Act. Both these codes of conduct encompass conflict of interest rules. There are other organs of state that contribute to an integrity system. This includes the judiciary, the Auditor-General, and the Public Protector, amongst others.
The forum itself paid due attention to the issue of training and capacity- building of personnel and institutions to intensify the fight against corruption. It acknowledged and welcomed the role that civil society plays in the fight against corruption and advocated the creation of national compacts between governments, business, the media and civil society to strengthen the campaign. Civil society organs have a crucial role in developing public awareness of corruption and its implications.
We should bear in mind, however, that civil society is not immune to corruption itself, and does not always measure up to the standards of probity and openness that it demands of others.
It was agreed that the media has a responsibility not just to investigate and expose corruption when it occurs, but also to inform and educate the public about corruption generally so as to generally increase awareness about it in our midst. A properly structured integrity system provides a comprehensive backbone to a democratic system of governance. It knits the various checks and balances into an effective tool against corruption. A national integrity system therefore provides both the institutional and philosophical basis for both enforcement and preventive action against corruption.
The Africa Forum and the Ekurhuleni Declaration acknowledged the steps taken by African states in regional organisations and the African Union to promulgate and implement instruments to tackle corruption, but conceded that a greater harmonisation of legislation and actions was required to ensure that these noble instruments become effective.
There was concern about the costs of ratifying and implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, and the regional protocols that are in place.
It was emphasised that greater co-operation in the spheres of money- laundering, cross-border crimes and asset forfeiture was particularly required. The forum generally noted the desire for strong, capable states to meet the needs and aspirations of the African people. Having forged a consensus on the shape of the fight against corruption on the continent, we now look forward to the Global Forum V meeting in Johannesburg from 2 to 5 April this year. We are proud to host this gathering called “Fulfilling our Commitments: Effective action against Corruption.”
This forum will explore the interrelationship between the UN Convention against Corruption, its implementation mechanism, which is the Conference of State Parties, and the Global Forum. The implementation of sub-regional, regional and international instruments is strongly promoted through the Global Forum. Any development and engagement that would strengthen these relationships is welcomed. Through such relationships, the integration and co-ordination of global efforts is strengthened and enhanced.
We will present the Ekurhuleni Declaration to the Global Forum and call upon all states to intensify co-operation and deepen the global onslaught against corruption.
I have referred to the recognition by the forum of the values of ujamaa and ubuntu, “I am what I am because of who we all are”, which is the essence of our commitment to fighting corruption. It is with this commitment to social cohesion that we call on other sectors of society to increase their participation in this fight that is critical to the strengthening of our democratic society.
The endorsement of the declaration by this House will be a historic milestone in strengthening the battle and the commitment across society to advancing the frontline of this battle. It is in this same spirit that we will be approaching business, in the next month, to support a campaign, both through material resources as well as creative ideas, to embark on a mass communication campaign, a campaign to make the people of our nation aware of the tools that we have to fight corruption; a campaign to publicise the national Anti-Corruption Hotline, 0800 701 701, so that every citizen knows where and how to report corruption; a campaign to make business aware of their legal requirements to report any attempts to engage in corrupt practice, and to promote whistle-blowing as a patriotic act of commitment to a corruption-free society.
We have proclaimed the 21st century as the African Century and we have, together with the broader international community, welcomed the articulation of the Millennium Development Goals. We are continually striving to implement policies and programmes to give effect and substance to these objectives of lifting the African people out of economic and social deprivation. We strive for sustained economic growth in a more egalitarian global economic order, despite the bumpy road we have thus far travelled. We have raised the bar for our continent and our people deserve no less.
The developed countries need to ensure that that bar will be set for them as well, because we will not fail our people or the people of the world. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr I F JULIES: Madam Speaker, the DA has long held that a clear and strong message must be sent by government that corruption, whether in the private or in public sector, will not be tolerated. To this effect, we last year in this House called for a debate on fraud.
Specifically, we were interested to hear the ANC take on the impact of the public support shown by government officials for fallen comrades convicted of crime on the seriousness with which fraud and corruption were viewed in our society. But unfortunately, courtesy of the ANC-dominated programme committee, that was not to be.
Corruption and economic crime are a big problem in our government departments as well as in our public entities. My colleague, Mark Lowe, is fond of referring to the problems besetting the Sector Education and Training Authorities. Members serving on the Communication Portfolio Committee may have noticed from the front page of today’s edition of a leading business newspaper that the problems in this regard with respect to the Post Office have also not yet been resolved.
Not even this House has escaped without being tainted, as even two members of Cabinet were recently found to have made use of travel privileges to which they were not entitled, without as much as a beat being skipped by the powers that be.
The Germans say that the fish rots from the head down. It would seem that in South Africa the situation is no different. Judging by the extent to which corruption and economic crime have taken root in our private sector, it would seem that the bad apples in the business fraternity have done excellently in emulating their counterparts in government.
Transparency International’s own corruption perception index, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Global Economic Crime Survey and KPMG’s African Fraud and Misconduct Survey have found that fraud and corruption are a severe problem in South Africa, and in terms of how South Africa is viewed internationally.
As such, the DA supports the Ekurhuleni Declaration on fighting corruption, in particular Resolution 10 that entails capacitation of national legislatures to provide oversight and ensure accountability. We hope that in this process government and particularly the members on my right will do their part. I thank you. [Applause.]
Dr U ROOPNARAIN: Madam Speaker and hon members, the IFP welcomes a statement by the Minister. Hon members, it was Seneca who wrote so brilliantly, almost twenty centuries ago, that corruption is not a problem of times but of man. The debilitating effects of corruption are only too well known, deepening poverty, undermining political and economic systems, also the high levels of corruption scandals, the inequities and the blatant greed have pushed corruption to the top of the political agenda.
It is well known that many corruption schemes originate at the public- private interface where public officials can be tempted to accept or solicit bribes. The key to any anticorruption measures is building integrity institutions. It is about injecting ubuntu and ethics into all facets of life, both personal and public. It is about right living, as Aristotle would say.
The second key is effective law-enforcement agencies. Efforts to combat corruption are never easy, neither is detection, but confront it we must. We must raise an onslaught against corruption, not just because it is morally wrong, but because it exerts a heavy toll on the nation’s social, political and moral wellbeing. In short, corruption poses a threat to the functioning and credibility of our democracy, dangerously weakening the system. Let us not forget that democracy does not automatically mean a level playing field. Corruption is a symbiotic relationship, when one exercises public power for private benefit. When tolerated long enough, it leads to the decay of the system and thereby its demise.
To defend the legitimacy of the democratic state, transparency and accountability are the answer. Coupled with this is the value of public opinion and a vigilant media. Hume once wrote that concerning any system of government, it must be known that man is a scoundrel lacking in any other purpose but his own private interest.
Let us not forget that ethics and good governance are conjoined twins. Thank you. [Time expired.]
Mr H B CUPIDO: Madam Speaker, fighting corruption is the biggest challenge facing South Africa and the African continent. Corruption is destroying the very fibre of our society. The ACDP fully supports the fight against corruption and we give support to any organisation in its fight to save our nation from being robbed of its destiny.
We welcome every effort to combat this cancer in society, in business and in governments. Civil society needs to be mobilised much more strongly. Television, radio and the print media should become the media to educate people against crime and corruption. Awareness is of the outmost importance.
The ACDP especially supports the recommendations to empower the South African courts and oversight bodies to increase their capacities to combat crime by way of the swift judgment of offenders.
We also support the adoption of the plan of action as proposed by the African Forum on Fighting Corruption on 2 March 2007. Thank you.
Mnr P J GROENEWALD: Agb Speaker, ons kan hoeveel planne op die tafel sit, ons kan in soveel woorde sê dat ons teen korrupsie is – natuurlik is almal teen korrupsie, die Vryheidsfront Plus is ook teen korrupsie, maar solank as wat ons nie ons woorde in dade omskep nie, vorder ons nie ’n enkele millimeter nie. [Tussenwerpsels.]
Hoekom moet ons in die media lees van fluitjieblasers wat hulle werk verloor omdat hulle korrupsie ontbloot het? Hoekom gebeur dit dat byvoorbeeld ’n munisipale bestuurder van Klerksdorp korrupsie gepleeg het maar hy word net deur die ANC-beheerde stadsraad by ‘n ander stadsraad aangestel?
Agb Minister, tree op. Ek het ’n vraag in hierdie Parlement vyf jaar gelede gevra oor ’n persoon wat oumense se geld gevat het en korrupsie gepleeg het. Hoekom word daar nie teen hom opgetree nie? Want hy sê net: Ek het ’n lidmaatskapkaart van die ANC. Hou op om te praat, agb Minister. Laat ons ophou om planne te maak. Kom ons voer dit deur, dan kan ons vorder en korrupsie bestry. [Tussenwerpsels.] (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Mr P J GROENEWALD: Hon Speaker, we can lay however many plans on the table, we can in so many words say that we are against corruption – of course, everyone is against corruption – the FF Plus is also against corruption, but as long as we don’t transform our words into deeds, we will not advance a single millimetre. [Interjections.]
Why must we read in the media of whistle-blowers who lost their jobs because they exposed corruption? Why is it that, for example, a municipal manager of Klerksdorp committed corruption, but he is then just appointed to another city council by the ANC-led city council?
Hon Minister, you have to act. Five years ago I asked a question in this Parliament about a person who stole money from the elderly and committed corruption. Why has no action been taken against him? Because he merely says: I have an ANC membership card. Stop paying lip-service, hon Minister. Let us stop making plans. Let us rather follow it through, then we can progress and combat corruption. [Interjections.]]
Mr M T LIKOTSI: Madam Speaker, the PAC is in support of the Ekurhuleni Declaration of 2 March 2007, aimed at fighting corruption, made by the African governments, intergovernmental organisations and civil society organisations.
Corruption by its nature is like a cancer. If not prevented it may ultimately result in the destruction of mankind. Corruption manifests itself in many forms: nepotism, land dispossession, tenders and other government favours for friends and associates.
Corruption hampers development and destroys the economy of countries. In Kant’s categorical imperative studies we learn to “act as if the maxim of thy action were to become by thy will a universal law of nature”. It teaches us to be immune from corruption, and that is what all government and nations should master to create corruption-free societies.
The Ekurhuleni Declaration supplements other declarations of its nature made by the African Union in preventing and combating corruption and the united convention against corruption is most welcome as an endeavour in fighting and preventing corruption wherever it emerges at all times. I thank you.
Ms S RAJBALLY: Madam Speaker, the MF strongly agrees that corruption is a serious problem if not epidemic, eating away at society and robbing our people of a better life. We stand committed to poverty alleviation, socioeconomic development and succeeding in attaining the millennium goals. However, corruption seriously hinders our progress and retards these commitments.
The MF agrees that corruption needs to be stopped by apprehending the offender, but crucial to the fight against corruption is educating the nation on corrupt activities and the hazardous impact they have on our country.
As Parliament, we have a duty incumbent upon us to stamp out corruption. A system of integrity is supported in managing checks and balances of the process. The law needs to enforce severe punishment of corruption perpetrators to deter them from committing this offence.
We need to take this anticorruption campaign to our constituencies so that we may intensify the fight against corruption. The MF supports the Ekurhuleni declaration and denounces corruption. I thank you.
Mr L M GREEN: Madam Speaker, the FD welcomes the Minister’s statement on corruption. We believe that any attempt to combat corruption must be lauded. But we also believe that without the political will to rule democratically and justly, the strong and powerful who bribe and exploit will always win the battle of influence over the politically corrupt. South Africa’s people deserve much better. Steve Biko said: “The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.”
If we apply his thinking on the issue of corruption we can equally state that the most potent weapon in the hands of the perpetrators of corruption is when a weak political will nullifies the good laws of a country. The FD welcomes the statement and we believe that corruption is a human rights violation and must be opposed by everyone, and we have practical methods of opposing corruption. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr M R BALOYI: Madam Speaker, the Ekurhuleni Declaration includes a detailed programme of action to give priority attention in the fight against corruption. We have no reason to doubt that Africa will rise to the challenge to see to the implementation of all recommendations contained in the declaration.
The forum was an encouraging step ahead for Africa. More so as it provided an opportunity for stakeholders to do an assessment of themselves and reflect on the prevalence, the manifestations and the impact of corruption on the continent and in the world, as well as how such problems may be tackled.
The declaration raises a concern among other things about negative perceptions of corruption in African states and of the ability of such states to control it. In analysing this observation by the forum, it becomes clear that whereas we may be tempted to say this of those who are portrayed as bad examples of clean governance, the forum noted - and that may be what reality is - that we may not say that all that glitters is gold, as half of their stories may not have been told.
Similarly, the analysis will also caution all of us not to be hypocritical as we speak of those than whom we may choose to portray ourselves as being cleaner, because in the same vein we may only be fooling ourselves.
The truth is that the negative perceptions suggest a negative rating by the nations of the world and they have to be managed as they define a nation’s competitive stance with the rest of the world. As Parliament and stakeholders, we have a major role to play and the declaration assesses the importance of strengthening the integrity and independence of oversight bodies such as this institution.
Accordingly, we ourselves have to engage in introspection in the face of the challenges that are confronting us in the fight against the scourge of corruption. Having developed legislation and policies and set up structures to deal with corruption, it is perhaps time we assessed the impact thereof in the fight against corruption.
Having adopted and ratified conventions and treaties to deal with corruption at the global level, we need to make sure that we do oversight work on the implementation of such international instruments, as that is what defines their worth.
The Ekurhuleni Declaration, the fifth Global Forum conference will come and pass, leaving footprints in the declaration that will also guide us as to how we see nations of the world developing a common understanding on corruption.
Let us learn from that conference. In fighting corruption we say: Each one alerts one.
Ti tlhomana mincila. Ku hlula eka nyimpi ya vungungundzwana I ku fikelela xiyimo xa le henhla xa leswaku munhu i munhu hi van’wana vanhu. Hi ta fanela ku tidyondzisa ku chava ku tsongola swa van’wana leswaku Afrika Dzonga ya hina, Afrika ya hina na misava hinkwayo ya hina swi ta hluvuka swi ndlandlamuka ni ku humelela eka swikongomelo swa swona.
Hi ri ANC hi tixaxameta na ku hlambanya ko hlula vungungundzwana lebyi nga endliwa Ekurhuleni. (Translation of Xitsonga paragraphs follows.)
[Each one alerts one. We will overcome the war against corruption if we adopt a higher position that no man is an island. We will have to teach ourselves to refrain from any form of wrongdoing so that South Africa, Africa and the entire world may develop and realise their objectives.
As the ANC, we align ourselves with the declaration made in Ekurhuleni against corruption.]
As we say that, Minister, we want to quote what you said at the forum:
Corruption hurts the many and benefits the few. It inhibits the ability of government to respond to citizens’ needs and to utilise scarce resources in the most efficient and effective manner. It takes away resources from priority areas such as health, social development and education. It also hampers the continent’s efforts to instil sound political, socioeconomic and corporate governance.
I hope that Mr Julies was listening, as it would seem that he is still bent on understanding what he understood as corruption. He is not keeping pace with developments with regard to how we approach and deal with corruption.
As the ANC we say halala, Ekurhuleni Declaration, halala! [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The ACTING CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Madam Speaker, we move the motion as it stands on the Order Paper. That the House –
(1) recognises that the fight against corruption is one that involves all sectors of society;
(2) recognises that it is only through an integrated, co-ordinated response from these sectors as well as across our region, the continent and globe that progress will be achieved in this battle;
(3) believes that elected representatives have a central leadership role to play in fighting this scourge that undermines development, weakens democracy and takes its greatest toll on the most vulnerable of society;
(4) endorses the Ekurhuleni Declaration on Fighting Corruption which was adopted on 2 March by the Africa Forum Against Corruption with the participation of Members of this House; and
(5) commits itself to supporting the implementation of the recommendations of the Declaration and the Programme of Action attached to the Declaration.
Agreed to.
The SPEAKER: That concludes the business for the day. I would like to remind members that Extended Public Committees will commence in five minutes in the Old Assembly Chamber and Committee Room E249.
The House adjourned at 15:20.