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TUESDAY, 22 MAY 2018
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PROCEEDINGS OF MINI-PLENARY SESSION – NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
CHAMBER
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Members of the mini-plenary session met in the National
Assembly Chamber at 14:00.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER took the Chair and requested members to
observe a moment of silence for prayer or meditation.
APPROPRIATION BILL
Debate on Vote No 2 – PARLIAMENT:
The SPEAKER: Well, I guess it’s the right occasion on the last
budget vote to hear malibongwe [praise] from hon Steenhuisen.
[Laughter.]
Deputy Speaker, hon members and distinguished guests, good
afternoon. We are honoured to have in our midst today, members
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of the Mandela and Sisulu families; and we welcome them
warmly. [Applause.]
I rise to table the last budget vote of the 5th Parliament.
This budget is before us at an important time for reflecting
on the journey we have travelled in this term as well as
looking forward to the next elections and beyond. The
contributions of giants who led us, our beloved Tata Nelson
Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu, who were born a century ago
this year, loom large in our memories.
I clearly recall the 9th of May 1994, as the nation and the
world, watched Ma Sisulu proudly nominating Madiba as the
first President of a free South Africa, a day which finally
fulfilled the promise of the Freedom Charter that “the People
Shall Govern!”
As a new nation that is still emerging, it is incumbent upon
us, to remember and honour the path chartered by Madiba, Ma
Sisulu, Mama Winnie Mandela, Zola Skweyiya and others so that
future generations could live in dignity and everyone could
have the opportunity to realise their potential. Our
Parliament is part of their legacy. We have lost the
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opportunity to be physically with them, to be guided by their
passion and insight, but their wisdom will steer us on
forever.
Hon members, as we work through the last year of the 5the
Parliament, we are called upon to reflect on where we find
ourselves as a country relative to the many goals we have set
for ourselves, in our Constitution, the National Development
Plan, NDP, and our Strategic Plan.
I can say without fear of contradiction that in this term,
some lasting results were achieved in a number of areas. As
the High-Level Panel Report asserts, while we still face the
systemic challenges of undoing the socio-economic legacy of
apartheid, we must also take pride in our remarkable
achievements and milestones including a functioning democracy
with credible institutions of governance, based on a culture
of human rights and most importantly, the Will of the People!
Of course, much more must be done.
Our democracy still needs to fine tune the transition between
the change of leadership in the leading political party and
government. The beginning of 2018 was a bit bumpy because of
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this. President Cyril Ramaphosa had been elected in December
as President of the ANC. We had to delay the State of the
Nation Address to finalise some procedures before we could go
on to SONA.
Hon members will recall that 10 years ago we experienced a
similar hitch though it differed in the detail. As the
Speaker, I appreciate the effort and co-operative spirit of
the leadership of the Presidency and the Office of the Chief
Justice in working well with the Presiding Officers to ensure
the final resolution of matters for all of South Africa. Our
democracy is growing and maturing. We use our Constitutional
institutions, not violence to settle our issues or
differences.
The relationship between the three arms of state by its very
nature can be characterised as dynamic and robust. During this
term, the Heads of the three arms have met on several
occasions to consciously cultivate an understanding of each
other’s roles and challenges. We are bound together in an on-
going shared endeavour and working relationship to realise
clean governance, deepening and further developing our
democracy. We have agreed that when next we meet at this level
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we shall bring along delegations in order to broaden the
dialogues, with a view to foster deeper understandings of our
respective branches, but conscious, not to intrude on each
other’s competences.
Hon members, at the start of the term in 2014, we crafted a
Strategic Plan for our goals and objectives to be realised as
we build an effective people’s Parliament that is responsive
to the needs of our people. We resolved, among other things,
to strengthen our performance and efficiency at law-making and
oversight, to deepen public participation, and to improve and
expand the administrative services available to members.
Notwithstanding our challenges, we have made significant
strides in each of these areas.
This being Parliament’s Budget Vote, it is prudent that I
begin by first commending the institution for the clean audits
it has been receiving for the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17
financial years. [Applause.] Please go ahead and applaud.
[Applause.] This was a result of improved implementation of
effective and efficient internal control systems.
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With respect to our Legislative functions, and with the
assistance of Parliament’s Legal Service Office, we have
passed 74 bills emanating from the executive and 12 Private
Members Bills. There are though quite a number of bills still
before us. Amongst these were the Labour Laws Amendment Bill,
a Private Members Bill introduced by hon Dudley of the ACDP,
which addressed parental leave and proposes equal treatment
for all. Considering the legislative workload, we need to
consider how we reinforce the advisory and drafting services
available to members and committees. As legal drafting is a
scarce skill, Parliament should review the package offered to
attract and retain legal experts.
Another high point for the Assembly was the adoption of
legislation to regulate funding for political parties. The
manner and transparency of funding are paramount in the
context of building public confidence and integrity in the
political system. We have agreed with the Executive through
the Leader of Government Business that legislation must reach
us by no later than 30 May 2018.
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House Chairperson Frolick will share further details on the
action plan intended to process legislation by committees
within the remainder of the term.
I hasten to say, however, that the number of bills passed is
only one indicator of our performance and, as such, must be
weighed against the quality of our engagements and the impact
of the laws themselves on the ground.
Honourable Members, as the High-Level Panel Report and our
oversight activities highlight, despite very good legislation,
implementation remains our Achilles heel. As Parliament, it is
our duty to step up our monitoring and evaluation function in
pursuance of our people centred agenda. We must accept that
failure in service delivery does not just reflect badly on the
part of our government, but speaks also to the rigour of our
oversight and accountability measures.
Prior to our first elections, Madiba said that, “If there is a
single lesson to be drawn from Africa’s post-colonial history,
it is that accountable government is good government.” We have
done our best and lived up to our objective of becoming a
People’s Parliament. We have seen examples of excellence
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emerging, specifically with respect to Parliament’s oversight
inquiries and investigative capacity. The probes surrounding
corporate governance at the SA Broadcasting Corporation, SABC,
and allegations of state capture at other state entities have
not only brought to light some governance failures but are
also beginning to yield changes and action against those found
to be compromised in one way or another. We must continue to
build on best practices in the exercise of this duty.
We are also beginning to see improvements in the ability of
portfolio committees’ to oversee the budget. The appointment
of specialised staff to support Committees is yielding
meaningful results. Thus far, we are the only Parliament that
has the ability to amend a budget of the executive. We thank
the chairpersons of committees for their diligence and
commitment.
Hon members, it is unfortunate that while South Africa was
once an international model of best practice for gender
budgeting, we reached a point where the gender responsive
budgeting initiative fell apart. We cannot accept that we once
were an international model of best practice on this, but that
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we are now at a point where gender responsive budgeting is
only taking place in isolated incidents. [Applause.]
We must support the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus initiative to
re-ignite gender responsive budgeting and planning. By the end
of the 5th Parliament a policy to guide how budgeting and
planning from a gender perspective should be in place as part
of our legacy project. Committees in Parliament will not be
performing adequately if they are not collecting the requisite
information to review revenue projections and assess budget
appropriations in terms of their gendered implications. I
shall repeat what I stated last year: Gender Responsive
Budgeting is non-negotiable and I expect movement in this
regard. [Applause.]
The SPEAKER (Contd): Since the establishment of the
Parliamentary Budget Office, Parliament’s ability to engage
with, and interrogate, both budgets and budgetary outcomes has
been significantly elevated. We must continue to build the
support available to committees so that they play a proactive
role in the budget process as envisaged by the Money Bills
Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act. We have
highlighted to the Minister of Finance the need for this
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Office to be funded in order for its support to be extended to
all portfolio committees.
We take this opportunity to remind the Minister of Finance of
the Office of Institutions Supporting Democracy. This Office
is part of the Speaker’s Office and has a large volume of work
which the Deputy Speaker will elaborate on.
The 5th Parliament has also appointed a new Public Protector,
Commissioners at the South African Human Rights Commission,
Gender Commission and other institutions. All these
appointments were, as recommended in the Kader Asmal Report,
subjected to public scrutiny and involvement.
Conceptual work towards standardising the appointment
procedures of the Institute for Social Developments, ISDs, is
underway. The Office of Institutions Supporting Democracy,
OISD, which is the link between Parliament and ISDs, is also
finalising a report on the proposed amalgamation of some of
the bodies as well as the proposed shifting of ISD budgets to
Parliament. The processing of ISD reports are also improving,
with at least 80% of ISD reports discussed by committees.
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Concerning the relationship between Parliament and the
executive, I should acknowledge that there have been some
efforts to address concerns expressed about the attendance of
Ministers in the House. Our work with the Leader of Government
Business, LOGB, is yielding good results in this regard and I
can confirm that practical steps are being taken to better co-
ordinate our work.
The Office of the Leader of Government Business has now
introduced a roster for Ministers to ensure improved planning
of diaries based on clusters. We thank the LOGB for his
support in this regard. Members of the House must be better
able to exercise due diligence and oversight over government.
Hon members, we are enjoined by the Constitution to work
collaboratively across spheres. A significant body of work has
been undertaken by the Legislative Sector, led by the Speakers
Forum, which is intended to, among other things, promote co-
operation, develop benchmarks, and best practice for the
sector.
The forum has implemented a number of initiatives to enhance
the capacity of the sector, including the introduction of a
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sector-wide oversight and accountability model and the Public
Participation Model. As members will recall, the work of the
High-Level Panel was also initiated by the legislative sector
through the Speaker’s Forum.
The obligation placed on Parliament to involve the public in
all its affairs has received sustained focus in the 5th
Parliament, with the introduction of the Public Participation
Sector Model, which emphasises meaningful public engagement.
Further adjustments, to the Model are expected in line with
the recommendations of the High Level Panel report.
I can report that, over the past four years, the institution
undertook 82 oversight visits and held 29 public hearings, out
there. There is, always room to improve in the level of
engagements with our people and communities especially our
outreach activities, to rural and marginalized communities.
Ongoing community protests in various parts of the country are
an indication that something is inadequate. We should ask
ourselves whether a fresh look or approach to constituency
work might help.
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As we provide more time on the programme for members to spend
in their constituencies, we must critically assess the support
to members in their constituency offices- and the interface
between constituency offices and the Parliamentary Democracy
Offices in the few provinces where they exist. This is a
matter that I would encourage the 6th Parliament to explore
further.
I am also pleased to inform members that the Speaker’s Forum
has agreed on the need for the legislative sector to regulate
and cohere on governance matters, specifically those related
to ethics and integrity. It is envisaged that a national
integrity commission will ultimately be established for this
purpose.
The Speaker’s Forum has also proposed the introduction of
Ethics and Integrity Legislation, as a contribution towards
building integrity in state institutions, mindful that there
is no single formula for resolving the often complex and
difficult ethical tensions that politicians face. This said,
as individual members, we must live up to the expectations of
the people and always maintain the highest ethical standards.
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I have been informed that congratulations are in order to all
hon members for declaring your private interests in
Parliament’s register last year. [Applause.]
As our democracy matures, new challenges emerge that require
reflection and review of the way we conduct our business and
how we conduct ourselves as public representatives.
At times during this term, the House experienced unprecedented
instances of disorder. It is our hope that this will stay
firmly in the past.
Since adoption, the new rules have since been applied, and
proven beneficial. Thankfully, the quality of debate and order
in our proceedings has certainly been improved.
Pursuant to a court judgment, additional work to give effect
to Section 89 of the Constitution will shortly be finalised.
Speaking of healthy debate in this House, years ago Ma Sisulu
cautioned that we, as public representatives should, at all
times be receptive and responsive to the needs of our people.
Notably, in the 5th Parliament 12 snap debates were held.
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The consultation process towards agreeing on how best to
accelerate land reform will benefit from the past weekend’s
Land Summit and we expect next weekend’s ANC National
Executive Committee (NEC) to take us even further. However,
suffice to say land grabs should not be condoned. [Applause.]
The world’s problems are deeply interconnected. Countries and
their citizens are exposed to economic crises emanating from
far away from them.
As the 5th Parliament we have assumed increased responsibility
in international relations. We continue to work with global
parliamentary bodies such as the Inter Parliamentary Union,
IPU, and Common Wealth Parliamentary Association, CPA, to
build a closer and more effective relation between
Parliaments.
We use the opportunity to improve our capacities to deal with
the challenges of our peoples and our respective
institutions. We are honoured that the next session of the IPU
in October 2018, will honour the centenary celebrations of
Tata Nelson Mandela.
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I wish to congratulate the new Members of our Parliament who
were recently sworn in at the Pan-African Parliament.
Similarly, those of us who are members of the SADC
Parliamentary Forum must continue to push for the forum to
become a fully-functional Regional Parliament. Note that we
are the only region of Africa that does not have a Regional
Parliament.
In the 6th term, we should consider the establishment of
friendship groups with a few parliaments, especially those
countries with whom we share values or those who stood in
solidarity with us.
Thirty years ago, the battle of Cuito Cuanavale, which is said
to have been the largest battle waged on African soil since
World War II, culminated in the freedom we are enjoying today.
Lest we forget, the Cubans fought alongside us at the most
critical moment and it was through their selfless efforts that
apartheid was finally defeated. [Applause.] It is for that
reason that I am considering an invitation from the Cuban
Parliament to lead a Parliamentary delegation to Cuba sometime
this year. [Applause.]
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As Parliament, we also have an obligation to stand with the
people of Palestine. We join the government and the rest of
the world in condemning the senseless massacre of men, women
and children by the Israeli government.
With respect to the proposal of relocating Parliament from
Cape Town to Pretoria, an external service provider Pamoja
(Pty) Ltd, has been appointed to conduct a six-month
socioeconomic and impact study commencing this month. This is
a matter that we will hand over to the 6th Parliament.
Since we started implementing the Financial Management of
Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, Parliament’s
budget is overseen by the Joint Standing Committee on the
Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures
Act, FMPPLA, which reports to this House.
I wish to thank the committee for its thorough scrutiny and
constructive guidance. I assure members that the decisions of
this committee will be duly implemented.
Parliament’s 2018 budget proposals are again directed at
meeting our strategic priorities.
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For the 2018-19 financial year Parliament’s actual allocation
is just over R2,4 Billion. We requested an amount of R2,8
billion from Treasury as budget estimates. We thus have a
shortfall R476 million.
Hon members must be mindful that the budget also includes
medical aid, and salaries of members, amongst others.
Parliament has a direct charge to the National Revenue Fund,
as a provision for member’s remuneration, which is a total of
just over R493 million.
Hon members, as we have highlighted during this term,
Parliament has continuously faced significant budget
shortfalls, which have direct implications for the performance
of our constitutional obligations. As the legislative sector,
we have called for a paradigm shift in the way the budget is
allocated and we are working to address this matter, by
amongst other direct engagement with the Minister of Finance
and Treasury staff.
We wish to report that, following a report by Parliament’s
Audit Committee, unfortunately, the Secretary to Parliament,
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Mr Mgidlana is facing disciplinary action related to, inter
alia, alleged contraventions of the Financial Management of
Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, Parliaments
policies, as well as the National Road Traffic Act. An
independent chairperson has been appointed and an external
initiator was appointed to lead evidence. I shall report to
the House on completion of the process.
Hon members, it is critical for Parliament to take care of its
staff and ensure that relations between management and staff
are as harmonious as possible. Regular engagements between
management and organised labour are ongoing, on a range of
issues. Two relationship-building summits between management
and staff were facilitated by the CCMA.
I have since learnt that staffs are happy with the
introduction of the Group Life Scheme for all Parliamentary
employees and their immediate families. This will go a long
way in bringing relief to employees and their families in the
event of bereavements.
Hon members, as we approach the sunset of the Fifth
Parliament, we do so cognisant that we have to reflect on our
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progress but plan for the new dawn. The Sixth Parliament will
continue the historic mission of transforming our society.
I have instructed the acting Secretary to Parliament to
expedite the finalisation of the legacy report of the 5th
Parliament. The Deputy Speaker has been tasked by the
Speakers’ Forum to lead the process of the Sector Level Legacy
Report.
I would like to say a word of thanks to all who enable us to
work and serve the people, and I want to start by mentioning
the most special man my dear husband ... [Applause.] ... and
members of the family, I want to mention our daughter Maghotso
and her fiancée, my colleagues, the Presiding Officers of both
Houses, the President and all Members of the Cabinet; the most
hon Members of this House; the Acting Secretary and the
administration and most importantly my own staff, led by the
executive director of the office. Your commitment and
sacrifices have enriched our legacy.
Hon members, our social compact with our people demands that
we remain true to our vision and the ideals entrusted to us by
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generations of our leaders. We salute Madiba and Ma Sisulu.
Their memory propels us forward, at all times.
I urge this House to support this Budget Vote 2. Thank you,
Deputy Speaker.
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Deputy
Speaker, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon members and
our guests in the gallery, I greet you all. Today’s Budget
Vote takes place four days after His Excellency the President
Cyril Ramaphosa launched the “Thuma Mina Campaign” at
Ekurhuleni in Thembisa. This campaign is aimed at improving
service delivery and ensures the participation of all
citizens. As ANC members, we are ready to run. The African
National Congress has declared 2018, the year to celebrate the
centenary of its two struggle icons, Tata Nelson Mandela, the
global icon, the father of the nation and the first democratic
President of the Republic of South Africa. We remember his
vision of a nonracial society, in order to build a South
Africa that belongs to all who live in it, black and white. He
was the embodiment of our shared hopes, dreams, aspirations
and sense of a common nationhood. In him, we have a repository
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of all the best values and attributes that are necessary for a
new, united and democratic society.
We also celebrate Mama Albertina Sisulu, a great daughter of
the African soil who dedicated her life to the service of the
people of this country. We recall the great sacrifice she made
and the pioneering role she played in the struggle for the
emancipation of women. Allow me to pay respect to the two
fallen gallant solders of our revolution who contributed
immensely to the liberation struggle of this country. Mama
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the mother of our nation, the
fearless revolutionary freedom fighter, the epitome of
resilience who fought and defeated the brutal apartheid
regime. And also, Tata Dr Zola Skweyiya, a Veteran of the ANC,
a constitutionalist and gallant leader of our revolutionary
movement.
All these gallant leaders contributed immensely towards South
Africa’s liberation struggle. They have all left an indelible
mark in the history of our country. Our people will remember
their invaluable contribution to rebuild our country. As hon
members of this House, we ought to emulate their commitment to
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the struggle of realising the nonracial, nonsexist and
prosperous South Africa.
As much as the consideration of this Budget Vote allows us to
cast our gaze forward, towards completing this cycle of the
Fifth Parliament, it is also an opportunity for us to
critically introspect and assess the milestones, weaknesses
and systemic challenges that we have been confronted with
during the course of this current dispensation. It is an
opportunity for us to critically reflect on the transitional
arrangements that must be activated, in order for our work to
have a greater impact on the lives of ordinary South Africans.
In terms of section 42(3) of the Constitution, our mandate as
Parliament is to ensure government by the people under the
Constitution. This mandate we execute by providing a national
forum for public consideration of issues, by passing
legislation, by passing the budget and by scrutinising and
overseeing executive action. The constitutional mandate given
to Parliament by the electorate is also guided by the
following objectives: Increase and strengthen public
participation, to strengthen the oversight functions of
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Parliament and improve co-operative governance and expand
Parliament’s role in international relations.
As the vanguard of freedom and democracy in South Africa, this
national Parliament is hence constituted as a critical
mechanism, to advance South Africa’s transformation and
development agenda. Parliament is constituted to ensure that
we continue to reverse the effects of poverty and
underdevelopment, while creating a conducive environment to
enable inclusive growth. As a critical role-player, the
legislature must ensure that a platform for public dialogue on
issues of strategic and national importance is adequately
functional. Parliament must also decisively implement its
mandate as informed by the prescripts of this Constitution. It
must do so being cognisant of its functional role in the
context of a developmental state.
This Parliament must also be alive to the pressing needs
currently facing our people, while harnessing the available
opportunities to create a better life for all. This resolve
must find expression through the commitment to achieve the
hopes and dreams of our people. The overarching mission of
this Parliament must therefore continue to provide the people
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of South Africa with a vibrant people’s assembly that
intervenes and transforms society and addresses the
development challenges of our people. To this end, effective
oversight over the executive is critical. Furthermore, the
effective scrutiny of government activities to ensure that the
needs of South Africans are met is equally critical.
In its 54th elective national conference, the ANC reaffirmed
its position in ensuring that the legislative sector remains a
critical instrument for advancing people’s power and fast-
tracking the transformation of our society. The conference
also resolved that an assessment of the configuration of the
legislative sector, across all spheres of government must be
undertaken, with a focus on the efficacy and functionality of
the sector. This assessment must establish whether the
legislative sector is appropriately configured, adequately
resourced, optimally functional, and whether it works co-
operatively with other arms of state across all spheres. This
assessment comes at a critical time in the life of our
democracy. Its findings will allow us to reconfigure the
sector in a manner that will allow for seamless implementation
of the National Development Plan, to ensure delivery within
the stipulated timelines.
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Chapter 3 of the Constitution envisaged that the co-operative
government and intergovernmental relations must enable the
three arms of state to collectively work towards an aspiring
developmental state. Section 41(1) instructs the arms of state
to exercise their powers and perform their functions in a
manner that does not encroach the geographical, functional or
institutional integrity of government in another sphere. It is
behind this background that the Speaker of Parliament embarked
on a journey that seeks to mend intergovernmental relations
that might have broken between the three arms of state in the
past years. We therefore applaud the act of patriotism and
dedication shown by the Speaker, in working towards the
attainment of our constitutional imperatives.
This Fifth Parliament, through the Speaker’s Forum, as led by
the hon Speaker Mbete, moved to establish an Independent High
Level Panel led by eminent South African leaders. The panel
was established in order to undertake the task of assessing
the content and implementation of legislation that has been
passed since 1994. The panel’s mandate has been to review
legislations, assess implementation, identify gaps and propose
action steps with the view to identify laws that require
strengthening, amending or changing. The High Level Panel in
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its recommendations, identified gaps in some legislations and
laws that need to be strengthened. Key amongst the challenges
that have been identified by the High Level Panel is the
adequacy of inclusive public participation.
In trying to address this challenge, portfolio committees have
begun putting systems in place to strengthen their public
participation and oversight processes. The High Level Panel
has made a number of critical observations, which form an
important part of our transitional arrangements into the Sixth
Parliament.
Reviewing the Efficacy of Parliaments Strategic Plan,
Oversight and Accountability Processes in relation to the
National Development Plan as prescribed in the ANC’s strategy
and tactics policy paper, I quote:
The main goal of state transformation, is building a
developmental state that provides effective and basic
services with capabilities to take forward a far reaching
agenda of national economic development, whilst at the
same time placing people and their involvement at the
centre of this process.
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These policy principles are critical drivers in this people’s
Parliament and in the process to advance South Africa’s
transformation agenda. To this end, Parliament’s Strategic
Plan is a critical tool for advancing the country’s
development objectives in line with the above policy
directives. The interplay between Parliament’s Strategic plan,
the National Development Plan, NDP, as the overarching nexus
for development and Parliament’s oversight and accountability
mechanisms is therefore critical. In light of these functional
policy drivers, the role and capacity of Parliament as part of
the triangular nexus of the three arms of state, is an equally
critical feature in the resolve to bring about measurable
change in the lives of ordinary South Africans.
As part of our transitional arrangements going into the Sixth
Parliament, we must continue to find the appropriate
mechanisms to ensure that our oversight processes become
location specific and outcome based. Bearing in mind that our
Parliament is operating in the context of a developmental
state, we must ensure that our strategic planning processes
give effect to the most catalysing policy directives. Our
focus must be on conducting oversight over policy priorities
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that have the capacity to accelerate development and bring
marginalised communities into the mainstream economy.
It is for this reason that our perspective on the strategic
plan of Parliament must be adjusted, to enable us to view it
as a tool for effecting transformation. It must become a tool
that prescribes key processes that would make transformational
oversight and the implementation of the NDP a seamless
process. Until we are able to measure the length and depth of
parliamentary work and quantify its impact in the lives of
ordinary South Africans, then we are failing in advancing our
constitutional mandate.
The Fifth Parliament has by far seen the greatest shift in
terms of reshaping the character and institutional
architecture of our country’s parliamentary democracy. These
transitory changes have been viewed by some amongst us as part
and parcel of the process of a growing and maturing democracy.
These challenges have also in many ways hampered the
effectiveness of Parliament. We have witnessed a great deal of
intensity, particularly during countless occasions where the
rules of the House were consistently flouted, challenged and
often completely ignored for seeking relevance on the
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country’s public platform. We often saw deliberate attempts to
create anarchy and cause the House to degenerate into complete
chaos. This type of chaos often delayed important processes to
deal with agenda of the day.
If the rule of law, as set out in the rules that govern this
House continue to be flouted and undermined, it follows that
this is the example that we are setting to ordinary South
Africans in terms of their relationship and respect of the
rule of law. If the highest legislative body in the country
continues to flout and undermine its own rules, then we cannot
expect any sector of society to respect the authority of
Parliament when it exercises oversight and accountability. We
have found also that in protecting the interests of all South
Africans, a number of significant amendments had to be made to
the rules, in order to address the type of militancy and
aggression that this House has witnessed during the current
dispensation.
Persuasive debate in this House cannot be won by means of
character assassination, mudslinging or destructive
politicking. Persuasive debate is won through superior
arguments. This principle has sustained the quality of
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responses of the ANC in the Fifth Parliament, making this ANC
a unitary party which strives to bring together all disparate
views across South Africa’s tapestries and identities. In
going into the Sixth Parliament, let us exercise caution in
the manner in which we exercise our freedom of speech during
parliamentary debates. Let us not debate in a manner that
erodes the gains that we have made as a country.
The interaction of the Whippery with parties is a critical
component in the process of ensuring that we sustain maximum
participation and a balanced representation of perspectives in
the execution of our collective mandate. The Whippery has
played an important role in assisting us to find party
consensus in the management of parliamentary business. The
functioning of the Whippery is therefore at the core of the
effective political management of the business of Parliament.
In giving effect to the proponent of participatory democracy
in Parliament, our watershed negotiated transition from
apartheid to a democratic South Africa is a historical
milestone that reminds us all that the ANC has built its
leadership foundation on the bedrock of consensus building.
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In reflecting on the ideological collisions that have taken
place during the Fifth Parliament, we must reflect on the
narratives of debate that continue to be harmful to the
developmental and unitary agenda of transformation in this
House. Indeed, freedom of speech with its broad privileges and
limitations, has allowed many to use this platform to debate
from a perspective that seeks to maintain the status quo of
inequality amongst the people of South Africa. The unjust
regime of the past created a deeply entrenched system of
oppression, which was anchored in white supremacy and racial
superiority. Today unfortunately, even 24 years after the dawn
of democracy, this House has had to contend with the remnants
of that oppressive regime, which still find expression in this
House, which are often at a glance, disguised as compartments
of sophisticated opposition politicking.
Unfortunately, for the majority of formerly oppressed masses
in our country, the interests that are often defended by some
amongst us still seek to protect an ideology of white
supremacy and superiority for the benefit of a small,
privileged minority in this country. Parliamentary decorum is
not only about adhering to the rules that have been put in
place to govern the business of this House. Parliamentary
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decorum, if properly practiced, is about true respect for
others, expressed through genuine efforts to build a cohesive
and prosperous South Africa for all. For those of us who have
been at the receiving end of race based politicking, we can
identify the subtle tones, insinuations and connotations of
oppressive speech. We can identify the casting of aspersions
to our dignity, when it happens.
We can identify condescending and degrading forms of speech
that make subtle insinuations of superiority against us.
Although the battle ground is no longer in the trenches, we
are now dealing with a continued psychological onslaught and a
stealth resistance against the progressive policies of the
governing party. As we make plans to transition into the Sixth
Parliament, let us reflect also on the kind of political
parties that we are giving the mandate to speak on our behalf.
We must be careful not to give parties that seek to retain the
benefits made from the spoils of oppression, the mandate to
speak on our behalf.
I want to conclude my speech by paying tribute to the 14
members of this House who have lost their lives during this
Fifth Parliament. These are individuals who have served this
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Parliament and our nation at large, with great commitment and
diligence. They have collectively and individually made
significant contributions to the transformation agenda of this
country. Hon House Chairperson, the ANC support Parliament
Budget Vote 2. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr M WATERS: Chairperson, let me at the outset say thank all
the staff of Parliament for all their hard work and the
members of the DA really appreciate everything you do for us.
At our recent meetings of the Joint Standing Committee on the
Financial Management of Parliament, several concerns were
raised, in connection to the Budget. Of the 19 performance
indicators only 14 or 73% were achieved while 95% of the
Budget was spent and if draw down programmes 1-4, you will see
that there are 23 divisions in the Budget and fourteen have no
performance indicators at all and seven have one performance
indicator.
This makes it impossible for the committee to ensure effective
oversight over the Budget and whether taxpayers are receiving
value for money. It is unclear to the committee and the DA in
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particular how Parliament is actually measuring and assessing
its own outputs in the absence of performance indicators.
In addition, we still do not have a Treasury Advice Office
which has resulted in a potential conflict of interest where
the Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer are giving
the executive advice on financial matters when it is them who
should be being held accountable. So they are playing referee
and player at the same time.
Another concern is that when one compares quarterly reports,
it highlights inconsistencies by Parliament when reporting on
its performance as the annual Budget figures keep changing
from quarter to quarter, this despite Parliament’s Budget not
been adjusted during the appropriation period.
This is of great concern on two fronts, firstly it reflects
questionable practises with regards to the movement of money
from one line item to another and secondly it prevents the
committee from performing effective oversight over
Parliament’s finances. I hope when you do responded at the end
of the debate, you can share some light on this particular
issue.
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Another anomaly is that of the Women’s Conference which took
place earlier this year. The cost keeps increasing despite the
4th quarterly report showing no actual expenditure at all. So,
if one compares the third quarter report to that of the fourth
quarter, it shows that overspend of the conference spend from
102%-118% go without additional cent being spent. Here again,
we need answers.
In programme 5, R199 million has been withheld for political
party funding due to non-compliance by four parties in this
House, yes, one of which happens to be the governing party.
Now, the taxpayers should be informed as to the reasons for
non-compliance as it is they who are contributing to the
funding of political parties. If we expect taxpayers to fund
such extravagance and the least we can do is to ensure there
is a transparency and accountability for the taxpayer’s money.
The process of awarding the Parliamentary Budget needs serious
consideration and I am glad the Speaker refers to this, as it
cannot be that the Treasury, who is one of the departments
that we are supposed to hold to account and exercise
oversight, is the department that determines what Budget we
actually get. Again, there is a direct conflict of interest.
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There are many examples from across the world where the
awarding of the parliamentary Budget is independent from the
Treasury and one such example is Ghana, and as you will know
the whips went on a visit to Ghana to look at how Parliaments
are run and we learnt there that Parliament has its own
parliamentary board, independent from the executive which they
determine what Budget is needed by Parliament. The budget then
goes to the President not for him to reject or to reduce but
simply to sign-off on the Budget. The Treasury has not said at
all in the awarding of the Budget. This ensures that
Parliament is financially resourced and allows it to fulfil
its constitutional obligations.
Our current Budget has a shortfall of R476 million, resulting
in most divisions, having to cut their Budgets. If one looks
at programme 1 the difference between requested and the actual
allocation is R4,3 million, programme 2 the shortfall is
R16,7 million, programme 3 is R37 million and programme 4 is
an incredible R331 million this includes human resources, the
staffing of Parliament.
It is little wonder that many committees find themselves under
capacitated with content adviser and researchers being there
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which negatively affects their ability of Parliament to hold
the executive to account. In fact, the sluggish manner in
which some portfolio committees have dealt with the State
Capture issue has been blamed on the lack of resources of
committee itself.
Only programme 5 received its full allocation of R692 million
and not only did it receive its full allocation it had an
increase of R21 million. Why is this? Well programme 5
consists of two divisions: firstly, being Members Facilities
which includes our salaries and entitlements which sees a
decrease of just over one million, the second division is
transfers to political parties which sees an increase of
R22 million. How can this be justified when core services in
Parliament are having their Budgets?
A total of R455 million has been budgeted for political party
funding this year, this when we have departments across the
board and Ministers are here and they will know themselves are
having cut their budgets due to the fact of lack of fiscus in
the Treasury. This is resulting in front line services being
affected across the board. How honesty can we sit here and
approve this Budget, when, for example, the Basic Education
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Budget is being slashed by a staggering R7 billion. This is
when the Department of Basic Education is already failing our
children in preparing them for life after school. Many leaves
school without being able read, comprehend do basic
arithmetic.
In fact, the trend in International Maths and Science study
found that out of 38 countries, South Africa ranks second last
in Maths and last in Science. With regards to the progress in
International Reading Literacy study found that out of 50
countries, 78% of our Grade 4 learners are illiterate. They
cannot read for meaning in any language.
How can we in all honestly approve this Budget when the police
service is to be cut by 2 000 police officers due to Budget
constraints? This is despite the wave of crime, engulfing our
country at the moment. Yet, we increase the funding to
political parties. This, hon member is unethical and can’t be
justified no matter how much spin one puts on it.
I am glad that you raise the issue that we are the only
Parliament in the world that has the ability to amend the
Budget. So, let us use our power and amend this Budget.
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If there is a legacy that this 5 Parliament should be leaving
for the 6 Parliament is that we need to become more a
responsive and more caring Parliament that reacts to the
issues affecting the voters, instead we bog ourselves down in
debates that may make us feel important but have very little
or no impact on the day-to-day lives of voters.
For example, last week the latest unemployment figures were
released, which showed that unemployment has increased by
264 000 in the last three month. This swelling unemployment to
9,5 million. Where was the outrage from this Parliament when
this figure was released? Where was the outrage?
If you divide the 264 000 new unemployed people by 90 days,
you can actually work out what the daily unemployment rate is.
So, on the last quarter, everyday 2 933 people joined the
unemployment ranks. Where was the outrage from this Parliament
about that?
If that does not make you sit up and take note, I hear some
mumbling, maybe this will. About 65,7% of young South Africans
between the ages of 15-24 basically two third of them are now
unemployed while 43% of 25-34 year—olds are unemployed. This
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is a ticking time bomb that can explode at any minute. But
where was the outrage from this Parliament? No where.
Another issue highlighted last week by the Hon Mbhele, was
that of child murders and rapes, in a reply to a parliamentary
question, it was revealed that last year 39 828 rapes took
place in this country or reported I should say. That is nearly
40 000 and of those 19 017 were children. So, child rapes
account for nearly 48% of all rapes in this country, yet where
was the outrage from this Parliament about that? This
translates into at least 46 children being raped every day in
our country, but where was the outrage from this Parliament
about that?
In the same reply, it was revealed that over the past three
years, 2 600 children were murdered. But again, where was the
outrage from this Parliament about that issue? It means that
at least two children are murdered every single day in our
country, but where was the outrage from this Parliament about
that? And you know what, we also win the dubious prize for the
country with the highest child murders in the world, but where
was the outrage from this Parliament about that? I am here and
I am making noise about it and that is for sure. I am here.
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Where were you? I am right here doing my job. To make matters
worse, other parliamentary reply shows that the very police
units established of course and scrapped and the new was
established the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual
Offence, FCS, unit by this ANC government. The FCS unit that
are established to combat child abuse doesn’t have basic
equipments in which to catch perpetrators. There are currently
short of 18 000 rape kits and 43 000 DNA kits, but where was
the outrage from this Parliament?
We cannot continue having flowery debates in this chamber
while people are being murdered, raped or feel total despair
due to a belief that there is no future for them.
We need to be a Parliament that speaks for the people and not
to the people. We need to turn this narrative around and show
through our actions, our conviction and our principles that we
as parliamentarians do care about those that are currently
left behind no matter who they may be. Instead of having an
echo chamber that often leads to a race to the bottom through
division instead of unity, let us make this chamber into what
it was initially intended, the exchange of ideas no matter how
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robust the debate may be and no matter who the messenger may
be.
We have to ensure that we give meaning to the Constitution by
reflecting people’s anger, misery and hopelessness and turn it
into optimism, confidence and hope. I thank you.
Mr N F SHIVAMBU: House Chairperson, it is common cause that
Parliament’s two primary rules are to oversee the actions of
the Executive and to legislate. We should all admit that the
5th Democratic Parliament increased its level of overseeing the
executive largely because of the presence of the EFF
[Interjections.] but its legislative capacity is still largely
limited. We are going to speak about that later on.
We do not support the Budget as presented here because we
think that the oversight systems of internal parliamentary
systems are lax, their very weak and that is the reason
Mgidlana could easily still money of Parliament and enrich
himself and do all sorts of things, which we cautioned as the
EFF upon his arrival. You must remember that we were the only
party that rejected the appointed the appointment of Mgidlana
as the Secretary of Parliament. [Applause.]
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The issue which we want to highlight is that the arrival of
the EFF in this Parliament brought the necessary vibrancy.
Before the arrival of EFF there was no vibrancy, robustness,
no superior logic, there was no dynamism that got to define
any Parliament. It is only since the arrival of the EFF that
such was realised.
Let me just take you through what we have been doing since
2014 when we got here. In 2014 we tabled the motion on the
remuneration and conditions of mineworkers, to say that let us
set up an ad hoc committee to look into that. The ANC rejected
that motion. In 2015 we tabled a motion to say that let us
provide a budget for fee-free education for all students in
South Africa. The ANC parliamentary majority rejected that
motion. In 2016 we put a motion to say let us repeal all the
apartheid legislations that still exist here in South Africa.
We have got 2371 apartheid legislations that are part of our
system now - the ANC rejected such a motion. Why so, it is
because of what we said earlier today that the ANC is defined
by collective mediocrity, collective incapacity and collective
negligence and cowardice. It is what we have been dealing
with.
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We also requested this Parliament to invite the Public
Protector to come and address Advocate Thuli Madonsela, the
ANC rejected that motion. In 2017 we put a motion on
expropriation of land without compensation, the ANC rejected
that motion. In 2017 again, we put a motion on nationalisation
of banks and creation of a state bank, the ANC rejected that
motion. At least in 2017, one thing which was beginning to be
a shift, was that we put a motion to say let us have secret
ballot against former President, the criminal Jacob Zuma, and
for the first time as the EFF we were able to persuade members
of the ANC to vote against their own sitting President. So, we
are proud as the EFF that in this 5th Democratic Parliament we
were able to crack the ruling party separately in terms of
what happened in a secret ballot which we insisted should
happen.
On 27 February 2018 we introduced a motion on expropriation of
land without compensation, it was voted for by 74% of Members
of Parliament that were present, meaning that public
representatives, who represent 74% of voters in South Africa,
voted for a motion for expropriation of land without
compensation. What does that motion say? It recognises that
section 25 of the Constitution is an impediment to proper land
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redistribution and redress. It is what the motion that we
adopted here says. It also says that let us instruct the
Constitutional Review Committee to go and review and amend
section 25 of the Constitution so as to permit for
expropriation of land without compensation. It even say that
we must review other legislative instruments and the
Constitution itself to deal with the issue of land tenure and
it says that we must pay specific attention to the fact that
the state must be custodian of all South Africa’s land. You
must go and read that resolution that was taken by this
Parliament.
I think that as the 5th Democratic Parliament we must stay true
to our resolution and make sure that it is realised. What does
this mean? It means that ultimately the state must be
custodian of all South Africa’s land. It is the case in
Ethiopia. The Ethiopians state and government that represents
the people is in ownership and control of all land and those
who want to invest and do any other usage with land, have a
leasehold instead freehold. It is a case in Mozambique. In
Mozambique there is no private ownership of land. Seventy
percent of the land in China is owned by the state, 75% of
land of land in Singapore is owned by the state. These are
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some of the world’s attractors of investments. The land there
is owned and controlled by the state. Here in South Africa, a
portion of the land that is owned by the state is being
currently utilised on a lease basis.
The Department of Fisheries and Forestry will illustrate to
you that they lease the land for plantations and for forestry
purposes and take it back whenever is necessary. It is the
model we say must be looked into as part of the durable reform
programme that we are talking about. Also the Department of
Public Works is leasing land to different businesses in
different parts of South Africa. The dry port between
Mozambique and Komatipoort is leased to a company that is
doing business there and the state can always claim that it is
strategic need that they have to do that.
There are farms that are being owned by the state to be leased
to people because the colonial government in South Africa from
1814 has changed a discourse and made it to be freehold
instead of leasehold. By the way, even the colonial settlers
had implemented leasehold system from 1652 until 1814 here in
South Africa. It is the original component of communal land
ownership where there is no one who claims to own the land but
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you are given land use rights on the basis that you use it or
lose it. It is the resolution that we took as Parliament and I
think that we are going to make sure that it is fully
implemented.
The greatest this that this 5th Democratic Parliament should
do, when we get a motion as the EFF, we must adopt a motion to
rename Cape Town International Airport to Winnie Nomzamo
Madikizela-Mandela Airport. [Applause.] It will be the
greatest honour that we can give to our colleague. Whoever can
say what – Mama Nomzamo Madikizela-Mandela was our colleague
here in the 5th Democratic Parliament. Let us give here that
honour to rename the airport about her.
I spoke about the legislative limitations of this Parliament.
The EFF has since built internal capacity to make laws because
we have realised we cannot rely on Parliament. It is the
reason we have tabled the Banks Amendment Bill. It is before
the Standing Committee on Finance. We have table the National
Health Amendment Bill, which is going to make sure that all
clinics open for 24 hours. We have put the motion on the
nationalisation of the Reserve Bank because it is what our
founding manifesto says we must do. We are going to put
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legislation on the establishment of the Sovereign World Fund
because we know that despite having a resolution on the same
question, the ruling party has got no interest, no capacity
and willingness to could legislate on establishment of a
Sovereign World Fund.
We are going to have legislation on tax avoidance, but that
must be preceded by a proper Commission of Enquiry into
practices of tax avoidance, base erosion, profit shifting and
elicit financial flows in general so that when we put
legislation, it becomes one of the most impactful legislations
that will abolish such kind of happenings and save a lot of
money for the people of South Africa. We are going to put
legislation as well on making sure that all spheres of
government employ their workers directly. There is no need for
security companies and cleaning companies who pay workers just
a tenth of what the municipalities, provincial governments,
state-owned companies and national departments give to those
companies. We are going to put legislation in all of those
issues because we have realised that the movement, which is
going out of power now, doesn’t have the interest. It is
instead defined by collective incapacity, mediocrity and
cowardice. [Time Expired.] Thank you very much. [Applause.]
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Mr N SINGH: Hon Chairperson, due to the lack of time I will
confine myself to Budget Vote 2 – Parliament, and some serious
issues which I trust hon Speaker and the executive team will
attend to. I am a member on the Joint Standing Committee on
the Finance of Parliament. There are issues of inconsistencies
in the way Parliament and Treasury approach the budget with
regards to reporting, yet we have not been able to get both
parties around the table. The executive authorities need to
deal with this challenge.
We cannot fulfil our accountability mandate unless reporting
is consistent with the required legislation. Parliament must
develop regulations in this regard on an urgent basis. Hon
Waters spoke about this. The executive authority need to
expeditiously appoint a Treasury adviser within their offices,
currently they are obtaining advice from the accounting
officer and chief finance officer, CFO, of Parliament, who
according to the Act should be accountable to the executive
authority, in essence, you are being advised by individuals
whom you should be holding accountable. Chairperson, with
regard to the constitutional review committee, as a Whip who
co-ordinates the activities of what is called 10 smaller
parties, I have written to the Chairpersons of the Joint
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Rule’s Committee with regard to membership on the
constitutional review committee.
Chairperson, we have heard that every member of every party
should have representation on that committee. When they go out
on site visits, it is important that every party has a
representative. I await some correspondence in this regard
from the hon Speaker to that request. Hon Hlengwa will not
forgive me hon Speaker if I do not raise the issue of the
parliamentary youth forum. He has raised this over and over
again. We have a women’s forum but to date in the Fifth
Parliament we do not have a parliamentary youth forum and I
hope we can get some answers in that regard.
Hon Chairperson, a significant piece of legislation passed by
this Parliament this year was the Political Party Funding Bill
which we - as smaller parties - felt will bring equity in the
way these funds are distributed to political parties. We just
hope that you, hon Speaker, can impress upon your colleague in
the NCOP that this Bill needs to be expedited. In this Fifth
Parliament there can be a new allocation of the same funds
that we have to provide some kind of equity.
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Chairperson, turning to some operational issues, I think
wellness in general requires a lot of attention by this
Parliament. We are all aware hon members that we have been
through a gruelling budget vote programme in the last few
weeks. We sit here for hours and sometimes go without eating,
surely we need to have places like well equipped gym which we
currently do not have here in Parliament, particularly a men’s
gym and the squash court is in a terrible condition. Our gyms
in the village are just structures with no equipments in them.
I think we must concentrate much in that area.
Hon Chairperson, the other issue that I wish to raise – which
I raised before – is a question of administrative support to
smaller parties. We as smaller party members debate on every
single vote. In fact, the IFP has come here on 40 votes and so
of some of the other parties and we don’t have the resources
to employ adequate researchers. I think something needs to be
done in that regard because if we want to be a parliamentary
multiparty democracy then we would make sure as Parliament
that we provide adequate tools particularly to the smaller
parties. This places us at a distinct disadvantage when we
have to participate in all these votes.
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As far as the parliamentary workforce is concerned, things
have been going pretty well but there are some areas which
require attention. Finally, there needs to be better co-
ordination between the National Assembly and the NCOP with
regard to programming Joint Standing Committee meetings. A
number of these meetings are stretched out and we don’t meet
because we cannot co-ordinate our programmes. Notwithstanding
the above concerns, the IFP supports this budget vote. I thank
you.
Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: House Chairperson, the NFP supports the
budget vote tabled here today. Hon Chairperson, I have
previously raised the question on the issue of constituency
offices, office staff, fixtures fitting and etc whether they
do exist but nothing has been done, not monitored and not
evaluated. Why is Parliament not publishing a list of all the
constituency offices throughout the country as they do not
belong to political parties but is an initiative of Parliament
as a go between the people and the public representatives?
One example is a Democratic Alliance who does not have a
single constituency office but collecting tens of millions of
rands, yet nothing is being done about that. That is actually
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theft of taxpayer’s money. Minister, please take note, there
is no accountability by members of this House yet they want to
be called honourable, when some members sign in and leave
immediately without staying for the duration of the sitting,
including members travelling to Cape Town just to claim travel
allowances despite members not even attending their committee
meetings.
Hon Chairperson, Chief Whips went on an international
education tour costing something of about R4 million. What has
changed, absolutely nothing. I heard hon Mike Waters talking
about Ghana as a brilliant example but the behaviour of the
Chief Whips have not changed, in fact it is worse. What is the
purpose of sending them there? It is a waste of taxpayer’s
money and it is time to put a moratorium on all international
travels because it is serving no purpose.
Hon Chairperson, Southern African Development Community’s
Parliamentary Forum, SADC-PF, Pan African Parliament, PAP,
Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association, CPA, are also where taxpayer’s monies are being
wasted. I think we need to give this a rethought whether we
should be participating in these structures. The Country is
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burning with demonstrations, riots as a result of poor service
delivery but members of this House, who talk about fraud,
corruption, maladministration and wasteful expenditure at the
expense of the poorest of the poor are on this gravy train are
flying around the world. In fact, they have not even visited
their neighbourhood but they are flying to every country
around the world. It is time that we put a stop to it.
Hon Chairperson, let me give you another example, a very
important legislation on minimum wage which we were supposed
to introduce, both the DA and the EFF actually refused to come
and participate during the constituency period. Why did they
do that yet they come here and say that minimum wage is very
important? I can understand that the DA wanted nothing to do
with it because they wanted to embarrass the President of the
country who insisted that the minimum wage must be introduced
as a matter of urgency.
Hon Chairperson, they live in rent free houses, with free
electricity, free garden service, top class security ...
[Interjections.]
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Ms E N NTLANGWINI: Hon Chairperson, hon Shaik Emam is
misleading the House. He is singing again for his supper for
tonight. Can he withdraw the name of the EFF because we were
in those committees? Can he stop misleading the House? Stop
singing for your supper!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Continue, hon member
that is not a point of order. Continue.
Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: Hon Chairperson, they live in rent free
furnished houses, with free electricity, free garden service,
top class security, free air travel, free breakfast and
sometimes lunch, free travel! yet they are enjoying the
benefits but doing nothing for the community. The NFP supports
the budget votes. Thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Can we now recognise
the hon Deputy Speaker. [Interjections.] Hon Deputy Speaker,
please, take your seat. Can I be guided as to what is taking
place before we continue? Hon members, order! Hon members,
thank you very much, can you please take your seats.
Mam’uSonty! Mam’uSonty! Order! hon members! Order! order, hon
members!
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Mr H P CHAUKE: Point of order, Chair!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Order! Order, hon
members!
Mr H P CHAUKE: Chair! Chair! Chairperson!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): I will listen to you
let me just first get this settled. Wait! Wait, hon Chauke!
Hon Chauke, wait.
Mr H P CHAUKE: Chairperson!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon members, are you
okay? Thank you.
Mr H P CHAUKE: Chairperson! Sorry!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Chauke ...
[Interjections.]
Mr H P CHAUKE: Chairperson! Sorry! members! Sorry.
Chairperson, I want to raise ... [Interjections.]
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Ms S M KHAWULA: Point of order, Chair.
IsiZulu:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nkk M G Boroto): Ngizokubiza manje Mama.
Mangiqede ngo Bab’Chauke.
Mr H P CHAUKE: Chairperson, the issue that is now getting out
of hand and serious is that the threat to Emam Shaik must come
to an end. It cannot be allowed that these members of the DA
all the time they point at hon Shaik. Like now, they wanted to
assault him, it cannot be accepted! It cannot be accepted and
it must come to an end!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Chauke, thank you
very much.
Mr H P CHAUKE: You can’t keep on harassing this member here.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Chauke! Okay,
Mam’uKhawula, I will come to you. Let me respond to hon Chauke
first ...
IsiZulu:
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... ngizokubiza manje Mama. Mangiqede ngoBab’uChauke.
English:
Hon Chauke, I think that matter you know where it can be
placed directly so that it is being dealt with thoroughly.
Thank you.
IsiZulu:
Nk M S KHAWULA: Sihlalo, uyazi nginenkinga. Uthe uma eqhamuka
laphaya washo ukungikhomba ngesibhamu. [Ubuwelewele.][Uhleko.]
Ngathi ngiyeza lapho, wangigeqa ngonyawo ngawa. [Ubuwelewele.]
Manje ngifuna ukwazi ukuthi kusemthethweni yini na ngoba
kungenzeka mhlawumbe uthunywe uKhongolose. [Ubuwelewele.]
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nkk M G Boroto): Kulungile, hlala phansi
Mama. [Ubuwelewele.] Hlala phansi! Hlala phansi Mam’uKhawula!
Siyabonga. Ngikuzwile ngizokuphendula.
Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: Point of order, Chair!
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): Hon Shaik Emam, can I
respond to Mam’uKhawula first?
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Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: Thank you.
IsiZulu:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nkk M G Boroto): Mam’uKhawula akekho umuntu
ongena nesibhamu kule Ndlu. Uma ngabe kwenzeke iphutha ngicela
sikhulume ngemuva kwalokhu. Siyilungise le ndaba ingaphinde
yenzeke. Ngiyaxolisa ngaloko.
Mr A M SHAIK EMAM: Hon Chair, just to set the record straight.
Mama Khawula wanted to hug me so much that she tripped long
before she reached me.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): No, no, no! Okay. Hon
Shaik Emam, thank you for the love but we will address that
outside this House. Hon Deputy Speaker, it is now your time.
Order, hon members! Order!
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Madam Chairperson, thank you very much. I
guess members needed a short-break after an intense
presentation. I’m very glad to participate in this debate -
this discussion. Thanks to you Madam Speaker and Madam
Chairperson in her absence.
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As the leadership of Parliament we appreciate the leadership
you have given us your deputies. I also want to thank the
Chairperson here for allowing us to talk about this allocation
that enable us to register progress, having assessed the
challenges that faces us and therefore mapping the way forward
in the next period. Some of these elements have already been
spoken to.
The country has the responsibility to lift the most
vulnerable, the poor from the impact of poverty, inequality
and unemployment. Continuing gender, race, class and
discrimination are a blot on the progress we have otherwise
made
The resources that we have been allocated as Parliament
constitute and must motivate us to ensure that all of it, as
well as that which has been allocated to other government
departments generally, is used for what it is meant for.
In the event this is not so, swift, decisive action must be
taken to restore order. It is these actions, called for by the
people and the public in general and coming out of the
legislative sector and responded to urgently by the executive
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that will restore public confidence in the institutions that
are so critical.
Madam speaker, yourself and madam chairperson of the NCOP have
played an important role in the past year in positioning
Parliament correctly as a third arm of the state as you said.
Therefore, deserving of appropriate allocation to carry out
its mandate and to improve our collective understanding of our
roles inside the three arms of the state, and of course
improving the relationship between the three spheres of
government.
Increasingly, you have led Parliament’s diplomatic engagements
here at home and internationally. I disagree with hon Shaik
Emam, in fact, perhaps it is appropriate that we say that we
have to act, we have to know and act in our neighbourhood,
inside the country but in our neighbourhood here: Zimbabwe,
Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, and so on, without interacting
in those countries.
As parliaments of those countries and in the parliaments of
the world we cannot appropriately ensure the interests of our
own people. In fact, members and people from those countries
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regularly interact with us here in order not only to share
their useful experiences but we also go there for the same
reason.
The progress we made is dependent not only in our own
initiatives and strengths but also on the collective strengths
of other parliaments to carry out the objectives that we exist
as the public representative forum here.
We have to express also, Madam Speaker – in fact let me put
this that Parliament of South Africa plays and continues to
play a very influential role in this international bodies that
you have mentioned Madam Speaker, and some of them hon Shaik-
Emam has mentioned; to which we belong and pay dues.
Not only for purposes of co-operation on major issues,
including solidarity; the effective campaign for the release
of the Cuban Five was in no small measure and authorities
there acknowledge this; of the public international support
for that move, to ensure that people who are free deserve
their dignity out of the jails that were in arbitrarily was an
important one. It needs us every step of the way. They ensured
our own liberation.
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We have to express gratitude also for the support we continue
to have from some of these countries as well. Some of them for
an example through the EU we are running our programme of
capacity-building, paying for many of you members here to
study – to improve your capacity to engage on matters that
confront you in the work that you are doing here.
But also very importantly, in committees, the capacity those
committees have - that support is important. It comes from
citizens of those countries – who do it and agree that their
government must do it because of this solidarity relationship
we have had in the past.
They understand better, in my opinion and that’s why they
continue to support us in this programmes. Our progress is
dependent on firstly accepting our sovereignty but recognising
the limitations of that we do have that require the support of
others.
The work of Parliament is strongly supported by institutions
that support democracy, as Madam Speaker spoke. These do so to
catch things that fall between the cracks, so to speak. The
designers of the institutional landscape had in mind exactly
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that kind of function; and where they themselves do not
operate to their best ability, they are a subject to scrutiny
as this Parliament is as any other.
This past year has been an intense one by the office of the
Speaker to interact with those bodies. We also have on our
website – I hope members do visit it. We promise to improve
it. That this report can be found there to indicate the
contents and substance of these interactions critically,
internally because that’s where we thought we should begin. We
are finalising this report. It will soon be coming to
Parliament for consideration, and of course, referral to the
next Parliament.
Communicating the work of Parliament is an important one,
including on these issues. We regard this communication as
crucial, first by members themselves through our interaction
with the public; but first in our own political parties, many
of our members are not public representatives and though so
who like us are public representatives have an appropriate and
equal responsibility to communicate effectively to our
political parties.
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Political parties are pace setters. When they run their work
properly the society is happy and we are able to make the
necessary impact to improve the conditions that people would
like to see in their own lives.
Firstly, let us say that this communication is also dependent
on the capacity that as Parliament we do have. Institutionally
we need to support members in the work they do in their
Parliamentary Counsel Office, PCOs; and we are putting in
place a range of systems in place, which are already
harnessing the new technologies to enable members to reach
their constituencies but also to reach others outside with the
message of the work we do in Parliament.
We think we can do better. There are possibilities that exist
out there that will make it very possible. For an example, we
are currently limited in the Television that reaches the
majority of people because this is a space that is limited to
certain class of people.
We are in the process of negotiating a broader far more
extensive access by the poorest of the poor to television
coverage of the work of Parliament and soon we will be able to
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announce concrete progress even before we go to recess mostly
or just after that.
I would like to point out that this support that we give has
to be through as I said about the institutional mechanism that
we have here; and in the diversity of the media that we should
embrace in all official languages, progress is being made here
as well to increase the speed with which we produce material
here – Hansard, so that members can have it for themselves.
But also often, there are requests for recordings of what was
said in Parliament. We must be able to be responsive to those.
They are crucial mechanism for oiling our system of
responsiveness.
We are working hard to produce very soon – in collaboration
with other parliaments in the world, material and access to
members. In fact, just to say that because of our
participation in these other bodies that unites parliaments,
we have also produced master class on gender equality.
This is accessible to all Members of Parliament in which we
talk about the value of gender equality, of ensuring that
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paying men and women equally for the work they do in society,
is a big attack on levels of poverty and inequality in
society.
It will serve a very useful purpose in increasing the
purchasing power of families and thus the ability to live
better than they are because of this inequality in pay.
Parliament passed a resolution here and a Report of the
Evaluation of the Gender Commission and the committee in
Parliament that deals with women issues. That report,
especially in sports, should be agreed to and it was agreed to
unanimously here.
It is one part of an important piece of work that has been
done about which we have not cloud loud enough because we have
to oversee its implementation.
Ultimately, the goal here is to dramatically improve internal
communication so that members are in turn can communicate
better and respond better to the public in general and in
their constituencies in particular.
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We are glad, Madam Chair, that on the 31 May, the leadership
of Parliament has agreed that we should launch a mini seminar
series on the so called Fourth Industrial Revolution. This
matter requires urgent attention not only to play to the hype
of robotics artificial intelligence but to pay particular
attention to the impact in society this development is likely
to have.
The overall purpose also being what it is in essence, how
should we handle it to ensure its benefits accrue to the
majority of South Africans? How we deal with these threats
that some of these new technologies may pose for all of us.
For example, some jobs have disappeared.
Decisions have been made in these international co-operations
that operate globally to automate consequently almost
immediately those jobs in those headquarters but also in other
countries where the allocated jobs have disappeared.
It is not speculating about it. Warehouses are springing up in
the middle of Gauteng as e-commerce hit the ground. So some
jobs are being lost. Are those that are going to be created
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going to be enough to stand the tide of the impact of the new
technologies?
What we would like to inquire through this – some Ministers
have already indicated here during the state of the nation in
Parliament of their willingness and readiness to come and talk
to us.
So we hope members will come in there so that Parliament
exercises oversight on this important critical area. We are
interested for an example, to assessing the responsiveness of
our universities, businesses on building capacity and training
and retraining in cases of restructuring that is likely to
happen.
But also, the impact on jobs, which is one of the priorities
we have: the impact on men and women, on youth, on children
and crucially employment and careers in general. We have a
responsibility. All of the things that we do as we said
earlier on, is to ensure nothing happens, however fancy it
sounds to exacerbate the current levels of poverty, the
current levels of inequality and so on.
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So the budget that is allocated to us is an instrument through
which we interact with the executive to ensure that every cent
is used for purposes for which it is meant for. It is the
oversight and accountability responsibility that we have, that
should this not happen, urgent, decisive action must be taken
to restore order, to ensure that the people’s wishes of
lifting them from poverty and inequality happen urgently.
As your forum that represents the public out there this is one
of the most important parts of what we can do to advance the
mandate we were given all of us as Members of this Parliament.
I do wish to say one or two things. One of the revolutionaries
from around here once said: “Tell no lies, mask no
difficulties, and claim no easy victories.”
This, is an important observation in that, in assessing where
we come from, how we have done it, and why we were able to do
it so effectively, and what the challenges are? It is
important to be honest, to be frank and to present things as
challenges we must work on so that we don’t trap ourselves in
victories ... [Interjections.] [Inaudible.] ... by purities.
Thank you very much hon Chair. [Applause.] [Time expired.]
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Mr N L S KWANKWA [15:45:51]: House Chair, a simple question:
if you talk about this budget shortfall of approximately R470
million and you marry it with the point that was made earlier
to say, for instance, that there are inconsistencies in the
reporting mechanisms that Parliament uses and what the
National Treasury expects from Parliament, then how sure are
we if this amount is indeed correct, or is a true reflection
of what Parliament is going to need to be able to be effective
in its oversight mechanism and in its oversight role?
I want to make this point, because I think it is important
that we understand ... we have seen over the years ... we have
been reiterating this point: that these budgetary constraints
have a negative impact on the oversight function – the
oversight role - of Parliament. You have portfolio committees
that are not well-capacitated to be able to deal with
oversight work. In fact, in many instances in portfolio
committees when you compare departments and the capacity you
have in committees, it’s almost like a David and Goliath-kind
of system where portfolio committees or executives – members
of the executive and their departments – actually get away
with murder in many instances. Right? Because they are able to
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mask failures in a way that is not easy to detect for
committees because of the lack of capacity.
You have portfolio committees here in this Parliament that
give you material an hour before a meeting, and then you are
expected to be effective in your engagements with departments.
It can’t be. Sometimes you are sent e-mails at 12 at night.
Right? You don’t see them until you get to the committee
meeting and you are expected to be effective. And then we are
surprised or shocked when we have to come around and say, “No,
we must do a commission of inquiry ... we must enquire into
... ”. If we had properly capacitated portfolio committees,
there wouldn’t be a need for us to have all these million-and-
one enquiries that we are doing right now. Right?
We must address the root cause of the problem, which is a
capacity problem rather than to say that we are going to come
up with short-term solutions of ad hoc committees to enquire
into the same work that should have been done by committees.
Madam Speaker, I cannot understand, for example - I decided to
speak to speak in English to you today – that there is not a
single parliamentary paper that is in the vernacular. I don’t
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know whether I should call Afrikaans vernacular. There is not
one, but we have language practitioners here.
IsiXhosa:
Akukho phepha lemibuzo elibhalwe ngesiXhosa, ngesiSuthu okanye
isiTswana...
English:
... but we have people that are working here, right?
The other issue is ... Deputy Speaker, you keep on talking
about this channel for aid and accessibility of Parliament. It
doesn’t belong on a DStv channel if you want to be accessible
to our people. Why ... [Inaudible.] ... free-to-air so that
our people can watch us when we talk about Mqanduli, Nyamazana
and all of these places. [Applause.]
IsiXhosa:
Akufunekanga ukuba sihlawule imali kwiDSTV ukuze uMultichoice
abenemali eninzi ukuze bakwazi usibona xa sithetha ngeengxaki
zabo. Masingatyebisi amasela apha kuba bangamasela bona kuqala
kula macendelo abucala (private sector) qha bayathanda
ukuzenza ngcono ngathi. La masela. [Kwaqhwatywa.]
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English:
We support this budget, Ma’am.
Mrs J D KILIAN: House Chairperson, members, Ministers, Deputy
Ministers, presiding officers present, colleagues,
parliamentary staff and fellow South Africans, at the outset I
want to thank parliamentary staff – those who are committed to
this institution and who very often work very hard for the
upholding of this institution.
This is indeed an opportune time to critically assess the
impact of the legislative arm of government during the period
of the Fifth Parliament and to determine whether our budget
allocation is adequate to support our constitutional mandate
throughout the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period.
As the ANC we have advocated for a true, people’s activist
parliament, where public representatives are rooted in
communities and in touch with their needs. The hon Carrim has,
on occasion, delivered a speech to the University of the
Western Cape. He said, and I quote: “One of the defining
features of an activist parliament is that it should seek to
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involve all citizens in issues of governance for better
service delivery and development.”
It is in this context that the ANC pays tribute to all
institutions of civil society and universities, including the
media, for their active role in recent years to remind us of
our constitutional obligations and to ensure that we exercise
the considerable power of this institution, that is: to hold
the executive accountable. Chapter-9 institutions and the
judiciary played a crucial role in compelling Parliament to
improve its oversight mechanisms and to honour our
constitutional obligations. Through social media and increased
access to ICT, the people who elect us will continue to remind
us of our role and our duties to root out blatant corruption,
to improve service delivery and to stop the abuse of power by
elected representatives.
The National Assembly, in particular the portfolio committees,
will have to work very hard to regain and to retain the trust
of the people of South Africa. The Constitution, in section
55, summarises the NA’s primary mandate – other members have
already referred to that – namely, to pass and initiate
legislation and to provide for mechanisms to ensure
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accountability of the executive. The National Assembly is
therefore constitutionally charged with exercising oversight
to ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness in
government.
Before we take our seats in this House we also take an oath of
office. We commit that we will obey, respect and uphold the
Constitution and all other laws of the Republic, and that we
will perform our duties to the best of our abilities.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, at his most recent swearing-in
ceremony of new Cabinet members, also issued a stern warning.
Although he referred to the oath of office of Cabinet members,
the same principle applies to Members of Parliament, MPs.
Judge Mogoeng Mogoeng said, and I quote: You cannot read out
this oath as if it is inconsequential. This oath, or
affirmation, is going to judge you. It would not have found
its way into our most important document, the Constitution.
So, may we all be warned? May it judge, most brutally, any one
of us who are here for a show?
We therefore pledge obedience to the Constitution and, by
extension, to the National Assembly Rules which derive their
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authority from section 57 of the Constitution. I now see our
hon Chief Whip. I just want to correct the hon Waters before I
proceed. The ANC has accounted for all monies received from
Parliament ... the hon Waters is incorrect. If it had done it,
the next instalments would not have been paid out. [Applause.]
So, just to correct the facts before the National Assembly.
[Interjections.]
The Revised National Assembly Rules, Version 9, was adopted
after thorough deliberation through multiparty discussions in
the Fifth Parliament. It is a good document. The Rules make
provision for several oversight mechanisms and for the
establishment of portfolio, standing and ad hoc committees.
We all know that committees are regarded as the engine room of
Parliament. During the Fifth Parliament, the committee system
has really come of age. During, especially, the past 18 months
or more, the NA committees have used their constitutional
powers to call officials and Ministers to account. The hon
Frolick encouraged specific committees to investigate the
allegations of state capture within the parameters of the
Assembly Rules and also provided additional financial support
for those investigations.
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What we now need is better co-ordination between portfolio
committees and a follow-through between Scopa findings – or
the Standing Committee on Public Accounts’ findings - and
portfolio committees. Officials and politicians who are
fingered in allegations of corruption must be charged either
through disciplinaries or through the criminal justice system,
if they run away from offices where they are serving before
they can be called to a disciplinary. The days when people
could run away without consequences are over. You cannot steal
public money without facing consequences. The public wants to
see that Parliament exercises its authority and pushes ahead
with the necessary oversight over the executive.
The committees in an activist parliament should be further
strengthened and better funded. The Speaker has already
referred to that. We need more research capacity and we need
legal services. We need the ability and means to conduct
unannounced visits to service-delivery points. We cannot
simply announce that we are coming and the red carpet is
rolled out; we should actually have our subcommittees going
undercover and to see what the public is enduring. And I would
like to mention here – and the hon Minister of Home Affairs: I
don’t see him around – what I witnessed on Friday last week. I
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was standing in a queue and after all of us moved through the
one queue, the official behind the counter said, “You’re in
the wrong queue.” But there was no signage that it was the
wrong queue, and we had to just go and queue again in the
queue next to us.
It’s just unacceptable. The people were really complaining
terribly. That is the fact that we have to face as members of
the Assembly: that those issues are down there – not where the
Ministers can see, but where the officials are not fulfilling
their responsibilities.
Similarly, people are being sent from pillar to post through
the embassies when they need to renew their passports. One
official says one thing; another official says something else.
Sometimes it takes unnecessary interventions by Ministers to
just do the simple, ordinary thing: that is to provide
services to the people. Queues at hospitals ... the
distribution of medication ... We should go and see for
ourselves and we should alert the executive.
I also want to refer to the Rules which have been adopted and
which contain excellent provisions. The only outstanding issue
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is the motion for the removal of the President in terms of
section 89 of the Constitution, which will be concluded
shortly. But whilst all of us, I presume, prefer a lively
Assembly sitting to a boring, mundane, procedurally driven and
technical session, we have to reflect on some of the
unacceptable practices which became a feature of the Fifth
Parliament.
It is a relief that the serious disruptions of the House
sittings of the past two to three years are no longer,
currently, a regular feature. We are also grateful that the
Western Cape High Court finally ruled in favour of the process
that the ad hoc committee on powers and privileges followed to
discipline ill-disciplined EFF members. The court ruled in
favour of Parliament, and that is a very profound ruling.
However, there are some less spectacular but still
unacceptable practices that have become the new norm in
Parliament. These practices could be based on an innocent
misunderstanding ... [Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon Kilian, will you
take your seat please. Why are you rising, hon member?
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Ms E N NTLANGWINI: I just want to check, hon Chairperson. Does
the hon Kilian know that the reshuffle is done ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Are you asking a
question?
Ms E N NTLANGWINI: [Inaudible.] ... and saying EFF is ill
disciplined. She must just remember that we fought Zuma ...
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member, that is
not a point of order.
Ms E N NTLANGWINI: [Inaudible.] ... to get him off, we got him
off.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Will you please take
your seat. That is not a point of order. Continue, hon member.
Mrs J D KILIAN: Chairperson, this is the abuse of
parliamentary Rules that I want to come to. The problem we
must determine is: Are these really innocent
misunderstandings, or are they a deliberate political strategy
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to disrupt the debates in this Assembly? I would like to argue
that this is a political strategy and an abuse of the Rules.
Rule 31, for instance, rising on a question of privilege:
Members who are abusing that Rule don’t understand that that
Rule refers to your privileges as a Member of Parliament as
contained in the Powers, Privileges, and Immunities of
Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act and in the
Constitution. You can’t rise here on a point of privilege
because you want to address the House; it has nothing to do
with that.
Rule 66 is also being abused: member not to be interrupted.
We’ve just seen that now. Members are rising on so-called
points of order. [Interjections.] They don’t understand that a
point of order is confined only to a matter of parliamentary
procedure and practice. That is what a point of order is.
Misunderstandings. Questions. Are we allowing Parliament and
the executive to be used for research institutions? For
instance, certain generic questions that are completely
irrelevant are being posed and thrown at all the departments.
That is abuse of the parliamentary Rule on questions. Also, a
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question on the status and maintenance of the Irene post
office, which is a private property, was posed to the Minister
of Public Works. Why? Did the member not first do some
footwork in the municipality to determine that?
I would like to conclude by saying that the role of the
Whippery and the misunderstanding of the Leader of the
Opposition’s role are also, clearly, major problems. The
Leader of the Opposition is the leader in this House. That
doesn’t give him a specific standing in society in that he can
now call on the Hawks to come and present certain reports to
the Assembly, etc. [Interjections.] He should understand the
limitations of his role.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon Kilian, will you
just take your seat. Why are you rising, hon member?
Mr S P MHLONGO: I wonder if the hon member can actually
explain to us: where was she before she became ANC?
[Interjections.]
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): No, hon member. Hon
member, that is not a point of order that you are rising on.
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What you must do is ask the member if she is prepared to take
a question and then, thereafter, if the member agrees, you can
ask the question. You didn’t follow that procedure. You must
now conclude, hon member.
Mrs J D KILIAN: Chairperson, thank you. I was robbed of a few
minutes, but be that as it may. The training of Members of
Parliament really needs to be taken forward in the new
Parliament. I also want to say, in conclusion, that we will
have to be capacitated as Parliament to have a tracking
mechanism for consequence management.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member, your time
has now expired.
Mrs J D KILIAN: Thank you. [Applause.]
BUSINESS SUSPENDED AT 16:05 AND RESUMED AT 16:21.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): House Chairperson,
Deputy Speaker, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, hon members,
parliamentary staff in attendance, ladies and gentlemen. In
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opening my talk, I would like to quote the words of President
Mandela in a speech he made in this House on 26 March 1999.
It is in the legislatures that instruments have been
fashioned to create a better life for all. It is here
that oversight of government has been exercised. It is
here that our society in all its formations has had an
opportunity to influence policy and its implementation.
In brief, we have laid the foundation for a better life.
Things that were unimaginable a few years ago have become
everyday reality. And of this we must be proud.
House Chairperson, hon members, as we come to the end of term
of this 5th Parliament, I reflected on the meaning of the
words of Tata Rolihlahla Mandela on his last address in this
Parliament as the Head of State. He reflected on the work of
public representatives then. But his reflections are relevant
to us as legislatures today. As we celebrate his life during
this year of his centenary, we too, in this 5th Parliament, we
can say we have tried to fashion instruments to create a
better life for all.
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Through the legislation we have passed. Through Motions and
Questions to the executive, we have brought the concerns of
the electorate to this important Assembly. It is here where
oversight of the executive has occurred. Through our
constituency budget and members support, we have ensured that
our society in all its formation influence policy and its
implementation.
House Chairperson, hon members, my Constituency in Sekhukhune
District has felt the impact of this National Assembly. They
have been able to bring to our attention their concerns
regarding governance of natural resources in particular mining
and water. It is in this region where a potential for economic
growth can be realised in particular with mining and
agriculture being the drivers of the economy. However, House
Chairperson and members, it is in this very region where we
have had challenges of illegal mining. It is in this region
where mine workers lost their lives on their way to work, when
their bus was bombed.
In responding to these challenges, we have had a positive
response from the Ministry of Mineral Resources and the local
councillors who have been walking this journey with us since
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2017. We have had numerous consultations with communities and
illegal miners with a view of assisting them to mine legally.
We have engaged mining companies to release some of their
assets for use by small scale miners. This remains work in
progress, but we are positive that we will resolve it.
This issue of mining in our country and in our continent,
though known as the grandfather industry continues to be an
important sector of our economy. Its governance therefore,
remains critical. The role of our portfolio committee led by
Zet Luzipo must be commended for the work it has done and
continues to do in oversight.
Hon members, the story of Sekhukhune is not unique, it tells a
history of inequality that we have to confront if we have to
create a better life for all. We have to alter the negative
perception that where mining activities occur communities
become poorer instead of becoming better through the
exploitation of their natural resources. It is my hope that as
public representatives seated here, we will continue to
advocate for natural resource governance that put people at
the centre of development.
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The story of Sekhukhune gives us an insight of the work we do
amongst our communities during our constituency period. It is
for this reason, House Chairperson and members, I will submit
to this House that we need to advocate for more resources to
support this important work that we do as public
representatives. To compliment financial resources, we need to
ensure that the structure of our programme as this Parliament
is such that it gives us time for our constituency work.
Hon members, an effective Parliament requires us to build
capacity of each and every member. In the past financial year,
we have supported four committees through training relevant to
their needs and gave out 53 bursaries to members.
Hon Minister of Higher Education, you will be pleased that
since 2014, 142 bursaries have been given out to Members of
this Parliament. [Applause.] Twenty seven were research
programmes which have been completed, comprising of four PHD
qualifications and 23 Masters Qualifications. [Applause.]
I wish to congratulate all members from all parties who have
succeeded during this past years. Hon members, Parliament
requires that we support members in doing their work. One of
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the matters is the physical space as it has been mentioned by
hon members here in this debate, particularly for wellness
purposes but also for them to undertake their work
effectively.
The day in the life of parliamentarian is not fully understood
by a number of people. They engage with us as we debate here
in this Assembly. However, a lot of work happens in
committees. It is for this reason that hon members on your
behalf, we continue to engage the remuneration of public
bearers so that they can better structure what is due for
Members of Parliament.
Madam Speaker in absentia, I am not sure whether you are back
now, through this Parliament, we have nominated members to
serve in the in the Judicial Services Commission. As your
representatives, we have ensured that the transformation of
the judiciary is realised, amongst others, through the
appointment in the bench.
We are proud to say in the past year, seven female judges have
been appointment, and one of them as the President of the
Supreme Court. [Applause.]
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We have also raised sharply the issue of delay judgement
because in our view justice delayed is justice denied.
Hon members, parliamentary diplomacy remain an important work
for our Parliament in which we influence positions on global
governance. We engage in a range of multilateral fora guided
by our foreign policy of ubuntu and human rights. As a member
of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, we have been
active in shaping its policies and programme. This year,
August 2018, South Africa will be finishing its term of Office
as the Executive Chairperson of Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association, CPA, Africa Region. We wish to thank, hon Madam
Lindiwe Maseko, who has ensured that during her tenure, we
have resolved the change of status of the CPA from being a
charity organisation to a multilateral institution.
[Applause.]
House Chairperson, I am proud that the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association, particularly its women's organ has
continued to advocate for increase women representation in
Parliament. I therefore, want to implore political parties in
this House to make sure that as we go for next year’s
election, they review their policies and strategies to ensure
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that we can increase the numbers of women to more than 50% in
this House come next year.
Hon members, this Parliament is a member of the Pan African
Parliament and has had representatives who have made
contributions towards realising its objective. Madam Ruth
Kalyan, thank you very much and Madam Memela for the work that
you have done in this institution. There is no doubt a lot
that needs to be done to ensure that this Continental Assembly
represent the views and the needs of its people. It must fully
undertake the role of advisory to the African Union and
develop model laws where necessary.
It must explore ways of working with regional Parliaments and
parliamentary forums where such are not in existence. However,
we remain concern about the accountability of the leadership
of that institution. We will ensure that in our turner, we
undertake work of reforming that institution so that it can
truly execute its work.
As I close, I want to remember the words of Mama Albertina
Sisulu which she actually ...
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member, would you
just take your seat please.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Thank you, hon member.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): No, your time is not
completed. There is just a point of order that I am taking.
The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: House
Chairperson, I wish to know whether the hon presiding officer
is prepared to take a question.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member, are you
prepared to take a question?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Yes, I am.
The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Could the hon
member explain why only 147 bursaries have been provided?
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Thank you very much,
Minister of Higher Education. We have provided 147 bursaries
thus far, given the applications that we have received. This
is only the bursaries to individual members who have made
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their application. It doesn’t account for committee’s works
that have actually been undertaken through committees
training. I hope that answer is satisfactory. [Applause.]
In conclusion, I wish to state the words of Mama Albertina
Sisulu which she said during the 1987 rent boycott in Soweto.
I quote:
Women are the people who are going to relieve us from all
this oppression and depression. The rent boycott that is
happening in Soweto now is alive because of the women. It
is the women who are on the street committees, educating
the people to stand up and protect each other.
Today in this Parliament, we are witnesses of how women have
executed their roles as public representatives. Through their
engagement with policy, legislation and oversight, we are
better today than we were before. We owe it to our children
and their children to make South Africa an equal society where
women and men can enjoy and exercise their human rights as
equal citizens.
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I wish to thank you Members of Parliament for having kept us
on our toes as presiding officers even though at times you
have given us difficulty.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon member, your time
has now expired.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): As I close, I want to
thank my Co-Chairpersons, Queeen Boroto and the Juke of
London, Frolick and the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, but
also our support staff. I thank you. [Time expired.]
[Applause.]
Adv A de W ALBERTS: House Chairperson, Speaker, Parliament is
an important and august institution wherein we, as
representatives of various constituencies, have a duty to
bring orderly debate and rational thought to bear, to properly
serve our constituencies as well as those people who did not
necessarily vote for us. Unfortunately, this Parliament has,
since 2009, started to descend into a new creature, not one of
noble stature and democracy, but one of disrespect towards
each other, in general.
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Afrikaans:
Die vlak van debatte word al hoe swakker, aangesien daar
eendersyds, nie meer ag geslaan word op wat ons vir mekaar sê
nie, en andersyds, omdat die paar minute wat partye tot hulle
beskikking het, meestal gebruik word om vernederende
skelwoorde na mekaar te slinger en in klankgrepe, ook bekend
as “sound bytes”, te praat. Die feit dat die ANC soveel tyd
kry om te praat, terwyl ander partye se tyd verskraal word tot
drie minute of minder, dra ook hiertoe by. Dis tyd om die
formule waarvolgens praattyd ingedeel word, meer regverdig te
maak.
English:
It is disconcerting that the invective among MPs now has
escalated from witty sound bytes that may even contain some
tongue in cheek humour, to outright name-calling, swearing and
threats to persons. Acts of overt racism have become the order
of the day. This cannot be condoned, and Parliament must
rectify its path to bring mutual respect back among Members of
Parliament.
A further matter that deserves attention is the oversight role
of Parliament. Parliament is constitutionally mandated to
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perform an oversight function over the executive and for an
important moment in history neglected to do, precisely during
the Nkandla-saga where the then President Zuma was protected
at all costs by members of the ruling party.
When the winds of change started blowing suddenly within the
ANC, it performed an about-turn and went for the kill in the
state capture matters. We are most certainly in agreement with
Parliament’s new-found focus on holding the executive to
account, but why was it necessary to get to this point via the
mechanisms of internal change within the ANC? This is not how
Parliament is supposed to function.
Afrikaans:
Noudat ons hierdie kruin bereik het, wil ons ’n beroep doen
dat die Parlement, op die minste, sal bly funksioneer soos
nou, maar tog dat daar ook nog meer noukeurig gewerk sal word
om die uitvoerende gesag verantwoordbaar te hou. Dit is in die
hele land se belang dat Parlementslede, selfs al
verteenwoordig mens die regerende party, hulle
verantwoordelikheid in hierdie verband sal besef en nakom.
English:
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Lastly, we wish to thank the parliamentary personnel for their
hard work and support in sometimes very volatile and abnormal
circumstances in Parliament. We also wish to advise that no
Member of Parliament may treat member of the parliamentary
personnel indifferently or otherwise with disrespect, as this
institution cannot function without you. When we express our
gratitude, we extend it to all the parliamentary workers from
the cleaning personnel to the librarians. We notice your hard
work. I thank you.
Ms D CARTER: Chair, during this Budget Vote last year, Cope
defended our constitutional democracy and Parliament in the
face of the treasonous phenomenon of state capture.
We pointed out that Parliament had failed in its cardinal duty
of ensuring that power was not abused, by not exercising over
sight and holding the executive accountable.
We contended that you had broken this fifth Parliament; that
Parliament, through your actions and inactions, had lost its
integrity, its credibility and moral legitimacy; and that the
outcome thereof, was that South Africans had been betrayed and
now lived under a tyranny, in a mafia state.
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As Prof Raymond Suttner has recently noted, in the early years
of our democracy, there was in certain quarters, a fear that a
coup would be attempted. As a consequence, some leading
elements of our security forces, retained from the apartheid
regime were removed, in order to safeguard our democratic
order.
Ironically, he writes, it was neither these people, nor other
members of the former apartheid regime or other right-wing
forces that undermined our hopes of a better life for all, but
scandalously, it was the actions of the oldest liberation
movement on the African continent that undermined and
imperilled our democratic project and our future.
Prof Suttner then questions as to how we ensure a return to
legality, strengthen our democratic life, and hopefully go
beyond simply returning to the way things were before the
treasonous Zuma era.
It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge how Parliament, as
a collective, has fought to claw back its role and
responsibilities.
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It will, however, take much more effort and consistent action
to ensure that Parliament regains its credibility, integrity,
and moral legitimacy.
Just look at the contempt, disdain and disrespect that have
been shown to Parliament and its committees by Ministers and
officials implicated in the state capture project, let alone
by the likes of Dudu Myeni, Duduzane Zuma, and the Guptas.
Cope supports the observations and findings of the high level
panel that we need a more activist Parliament that will ensure
effective and meaningful oversight over the executive; that
Parliament should consider the adoption of legislation to
ensure greater parliamentary and public oversight over
appointments to public office, as a means of ensuring their
increased independence; and that Parliament should play a
greater role in the initiation and development of draft
legislation.
For the sake of our democracy and constitutional order, we
need a better resourced Parliament. If we have a look, for
example, at the law state advisors, if we look at the staff of
Parliament, we are really underresourced when it comes to
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human resources. As matters stand, and if we are to give
effect to these recommendations, this Budget Vote is wholly
inadequate. In the circumstances, Cope calls for the review of
this Budget Vote. Thank you.
Mr A N MASONDO: Chairperson, hon members, guests at the
gallery and fellow South Africans.
Chairperson, 12 minutes is not enough to deal with the work of
the ethics committee and related structures, its implications
and steps that need to be taken to address all our complex
challenges.
Going back a year back can indeed be instructive. During the
debate on Budget Vote 2: Parliament, the Chief Whip of the DA,
Hon Steenhuisen, amongst others, though briefly, raised what
he referred to as a concern on the Ethics Committee for being
“efficient when dealing with DA matters” but drags its feet
when “dealing with the related issues”. He labelled the
committee as “captured”. That “it (the committee) even stop
meeting when looking at ANC matters”.
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But what is the reality? What are the objectives that
Parliament has set for this committee? What are some of the
key challenges experienced? Regarding the future, what
pitfalls should be avoided? These are some of the questions we
need to look at in an ongoing manner.
The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members Interest held its
inaugural meeting on 8 July 2014. Hon A Masondo from NA and
hon A Singh from the NCOP were elected as Co-Chairpersons.
On 17 September 2014, the committee adopted the 2014 Register
of Members Interests. On the 15 October 2014 a workshop to
familiarise members of the committee and ensure a better
understanding of the Code of Ethical Conduct was held.
In keeping with the tradition of sharing experience, the committee
has met and engaged with provincial legislatures and municipal
councils who do related ethics work. This include, amongst others,
the Gauteng and Free State Provincial Legislatures, the City of
Johannesburg (thrice), Ekurhuleni Metro (twice), eThekwini Metro;
the Secondary Cities of Mangaung, Buffalo City and Polokwane.
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Chairperson, this committee has done a lot of work in the past
four years since it was constituted as a Joint Committee of
Parliament made up of members of the NCOP and the NA.
Schedule 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa
in the part that deals with solemn affirmation speak of: Being
faithful to the Republic of South Africa. Obeying, respecting,
and upholding the Constitution and all other laws of the
Republic; and, a promise to perform functions as a member of
the NA and as a permanent delegates of the NCOP or as a Member
of the Provincial Legislature.
The work we do in the committee is informed by the
Constitution, Relevant Legislation and the Code of Conduct.
Our approach in doing our work is characterised by: Correcting
the behaviour of MPs and not being punitive; and, ensuring
that all issues brought before the committee are dealt with in
a way that is fair, firm and consistent.
The Joint Ethics Committee is there primarily to foster public
trust, seeks to improve public perception of Parliament and
all its institutions as well as that of MPs. In doing its
work, the committee seeks to also advise members and provide
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guidance, to investigate complaints and to craft and prepare
reports to Parliament.
Chairperson, on previous occasions we have raised the question
of ethics and revolutionary morality. In doing so, we had
sought to frame relevant questions of what in our context
members of this legislature ought to be doing to ensure
abiding credibility and good standing of Parliament.
Chairperson, we come from a tradition of anti-colonial
struggle. Our aim is to realize the National Democratic
Revolution. It is in this context that the Freedom Charter
adopted in Kliptown in June 1955 and RSA Constitution Act 108
of 1996 remain a lodestar that assist to refocus our minds on
the establishment of a National Democratic Society.
We need to remind ourselves that there is, in existence, a
wealth of Revolutionary experience and literature to help
enrich the work that we do. There is so much to learn from
Lenin, Ho-Chi Minh, Maotsetung, Fidel Castro, Rosa Luxembourg,
Kwame Nkruma, Samora Machel, Nelson Mandela, Albertina Sisulu
and many others.
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Whether we be members of mainstream or other Christian
churches, whether we subscribe to Judaism, African Indigenous
beliefs, Hindu, Islam or be atheist, we do need to acknowledge
that we are building from a particular moral and ethical
foundation; hence the need to identify the good in all of this
and build on it.
Whether we are aware of it or not, we all operate with certain
presumptions and assumptions. In this Parliament, we should
always create an environment that enables ideas to contend.
This will enable us to critically assess and evaluate our own
views. No one should seek to impose their own views rand ideas
on others.
In recent times there’s been a growing tendency to
deliberately stall progress by amongst others, contrary to
previous Parliaments, by doing the following: To clog up the
system by lodging politically motivated cases; The tendency of
political parties to be partisan and narrowly seek to score
narrow political points; To seek to put enormous pressure on
the Acting Registrar of Members’ Interest and the Office to do
the bidding of individuals or political parties as was the
case with Fazela Mohamed; To ignore the capacity constraints
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and related objective requirements; To defend wrongdoing by
disguising it as protecting comrades or fellow party members;
To ignore or under play the complexity of state capture or
even to seek to remove it from the equation.
Chairperson, referring to the Committee as a “hit Squad"
detracts from what all of us should be doing. Given our
history, the mere use of the name “hit squad” is indeed
insensitive.
Chairperson, one of the key issues that lingers on the mind of
people in our society is, the near anarchy that has
characterised the beginning of the 5th Parliament and referred
to the Powers and Privileges Committee. The new Parliament
will continue to grapple with this and similar matters.
Chairperson, part of our task across the political spectrum
should be to get rid of our own internal demons. Only then
will we be on track to consolidate the building of a truly
non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South
Africa. The ANC Supports this Budget Vote. Thank you very
much. [Applause.]
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Thank you hon member.
As I call hon Dudley to podium, I want to congratulate and
with hon Dlodlo happy birthday. [Applause.] Happy birthday to
you [Singing.] I will finish the song later. Hon Dudley!
Mrs C DUDLEY: Good job you didn’t ask me to sing. [Laughter.]
Parliaments Budget is expected to provide the support services
required by Parliament to fulfil its constitutional functions,
assist political parties represented in Parliament to secure
administrative support, service constituents, and provide
members of Parliament with the necessary facilities.
The ACDP welcomes the Speaker’s recognition of the need, in
terms of support services, that are under tremendous strain
and legal services is a good example of this so I’m going to
amplify your voice on this matter. This office provides an
ongoing range of specialized services that includes oral and
written advice to committees; advice to the Joint Tagging
Mechanism on the classification of Bills, drafting Bills of
exceptionally high quality, as well as drafting contracts and
policies; amongst other ad hoc services. Not to mention legal
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support when committees are conducting constitutionally
mandated oversight of the executive.
I have only realized recently, that this small team in legal
services also manages the litigation against Parliament and I
can only imagine what a huge task this is. I was shocked to
find out that all these services, which each one of the team
always delivers in a professional and competent manner, are
provided by only eight legal advisers and three senior legal
advisers under the stewardship of the chief legal adviser.
Considering that there are approximately 54 portfolio
committees and a single legal adviser can have up to 10 Bills
at any given time; the broad range of functions that this
office provides with absolute proficiency is unthinkable and
frankly unfair. The unwanted thought is just how much longer
can this small team survive the pressure, let alone be
expected to sustain the excellence that we have come to expect
of them.
The ACDP urges management to support this office by increasing
their capacity or we will all have to face the consequences.
These men and women are at high risk of burnout. Our legal
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human resources are a scarce commodity, not many want this
stressful job and those that do probably wouldn’t cut it as
the demands and broad skills that have to be developed in a
short space of time are almost too much to ask and we should
not take this for granted.
The ACDP has been a source of additional stress in their lives
in terms of the assistance we have had with drafting of
private members bills over the years and yet we have always
received the most professional and excellent service. As my
colleagues and I tend to participate on many committees apart
from those we are a member of, when they are dealing with
legislation the ACDP has a special interest in. We are
conscious of the never ending pressure on our law advisors.
The ACDP highly commends and respects these ‘super heroes’ in
our midst serving their country with humility, sacrifice and
excellence.
We also want to thank the staff of Parliament in general and
our parliamentary researchers and content advisors,
specifically; we are grateful for their talents and their
dedication.
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Then there is our IT department that also appears to be
stretched. I don’t envy them having to deal with MPs’ anxiety
and impatience when technology challenges occur.
Again the ACDP appeals to management to support these offices
and take care of our scarce resources. We also call on
Treasury to recognize the damage done to the country if the
work of parliament is undermined by overly constrained budgets
that lead to us ‘wearing out’ and losing valuable people.
Lastly, the ACDP welcomes the Speaker’s reference to
constituency work and the need for MPs to be supported
adequately; present budget constraints are an issue in this
regard.
The value of constituency involvement can be measured in
people’s greater awareness of the importance of their
participation in the processes of parliament [Time Expired.]
And the ACDP will support this budget, thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto): House Chair, hon
Speaker, hon Deputy Speaker, members of the executive, hon
members, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is an
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important task of this Parliament is to continue with the
powerful legacy that uTata uMadiba and uMama Sisulu has
entrusted to us of creating a just and fair society for all.
Our work as representatives of the people must reflect and
stay true to uTata uMadiba and uMama Sisulu’s legacy,
including his unwavering commitment to progressive
internationalism, justice, equality and a nonracial world.
In 2002, Madiba made one of the most profound statements when
he said and I quote: “What counts in life is not the mere fact
that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the
lives of others that will determine the significance of the
life we lead.”
It is in this spirit that Parliament’s participation in
international relations continues to consolidate and
strengthen our vision of creating a better South Africa in a
better Africa and a just world. We will in this House agree
that these leaders set the foundation for us to build a new
society out of the ashes of the past apartheid regime that was
isolated by the world and declared apartheid a crime against
humanity.
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As we move forward to the Sixth Parliament, we need to build
on this momentum and pursue efforts of previous parliaments of
prioritising aspirations and values as enshrined in the
National Development Plan. As participants in the global
arena, we participated in different platforms that enable us
to influence and advance our national interests. At the
Interparliamentary Union, IPU, Assembly held in March this
year 2018, we used our allocated votes to support the adoption
of the resolution on Jerusalem, which is about the
consequences of the US declaration on Jerusalem and the rights
of the Palestinian people in Jerusalem in the light of the UN
Charter and resolutions.
This resolution, amongst others, calls upon all parliaments to
urge their governments to recognise the State of Palestine on
the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and for
the absolute rejection of the recent US administration’s
decision regarding Jerusalem and considers it null and void.
This resolution is in line with Resolution 2334 adopted by the
Security Council in December 2016. The 54th Conference of the
ANC took a resolution that the South African embassy in Israel
be downgraded from an embassy to a liaison office. In the
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spirit of these resolutions, this Parliament is urged to
support our government’s withdrawal of our ambassador in
Israel.
On March, the Israeli parliament passed a law allowing the
interior Minister to revoke the residency rights of
Palestinians living in Jerusalem on very vague grounds of
breach of loyalty to Tel Aviv. This law is the same as the
Group Areas Act that was passed on our people and forced them
to live in homelands and take away our land. District Six in
the Western Cape is a good example of such atrocities.
During the apartheid years in this country, children were
murdered, activists disappeared into thin air, people were put
into jails, people were displaced and forced to live under the
Acts that were very divisive. Fertile land with either
agriculture or minerals was stolen. Is it not what is
happening in Palestine? Is Israel not an apartheid state?
Looking at what happened to us in South Africa, we really say
that what is happening in Palestine tells that Israel is an
apartheid state. [Interjections.] There is no difference
between the way we were treated during apartheid South Africa
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and the way Palestinians are treated now. Israel is an
apartheid state and should be treated as such.
We will continue as the South African Parliament to lobby for
Southern African Development Community, SADC, to become a full
legislative body to ensure development in issues of
infrastructure, sanitation, child marriages, water and land.
The Pan-African Parliament, PAP, has just elected the new
bureau. It is our commitment that the PAP must continue to be
a beacon of good practice and good governance. And, by so
saying we will work hard that the principle of rotation, that
the Francophone countries do not want to adhere to, be
respected. We urge Parliament to play a critical role in
ensuring that all matters related to the wellbeing of the PAP
constitute a strategic responsibility of this Parliament. We
will also ensure that PAP becomes a legislative body and we
will implore our government to move towards finalising the
host agreement with the African Union. We congratulate the
South African delegation led by the Chairperson of the NCOP,
Mma Modise in making sure that South African issues are put on
the table.
Sepedi:
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Kopano ke maatla! Ba re: “Tau tša hloka seboka se šitwa ke
nare e hlotša.” A re yeng ...
English:
... PAP and make sure that Africans gain out of our
participation in that Parliament. We want to alsdo thank all
members of different focus groups, for instance, for making
sure that we move the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association,
CPA, from just being a charity organisation to an
international body that will meet its diplomatic
responsibilities.
The Freedom Charter states that there shall be peace and
friendship. I must report that we have numerous requests for
the establishment of these friendship groups, as the Speaker
has already alluded to. We will obviously be prioritising the
countries that stood in solidarity with us in our struggle for
freedom from our colonisers who promoted oppressive systems in
our African countries. We will continue to raise the plight of
the sub-Saharan people, believing that Morocco’s readmission
to the African Union will make them listen to the voice of the
people around the rights of the Sahrawi people.
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Parliament has started to cover delegation activities in all
international forums. We will continue to engage the public
broadcaster to take an interest in the activities of
Parliament and its international work. This will allow the
people an insight into the international activities of their
elected representatives. We will also use mini-plenaries to
make sure that resolutions that are taken at international
forums are debated in this House.
Again, I want to make an appeal to all the parties in the
House to make sure that that whenever we have these
international delegations, we have a 50/50 representation of
women. Hon Hlengwa, we must have a 25% of the youth that go to
these delegations. The ANC has been doing that; we are just
urging other parties to make sure that we are seen to be
practising what we preach
In conclusion, I would like to thank the Speaker of Parliament
...
Sesotho:
... MmaThabang, ngwetsi ya Bataung. Mme, o re pepile ka
lerato.
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English:
You have the work of the international relations at heart by
ensuring that International Relations and Protocol Division
functions optimally.
Sepedi:
Gomme re leboga le Job - Ntate Sithole ...
English:
... for always being there for us with your staff – you make
our work much easier. To the administration, I just want to
thank the staff in all divisions of the Speaker’s Office for
their dedication and passion in executing their duties. Let me
not forget to thank the office of the Acting Secretary to
Parliament, who continues consulting with the staff. Thank you
“sesi” [sister] Baby.
Sepedi:
Mmagongwana o swara thipa ka bogaleng.
English:
The ANC supports this budget.
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Mr M P GALO: Hon Chair, the National Assembly is the nation’s
flag-bearer. This description was canvassed eloquently by the
Constitutional Court in the Democratic Alliance v Speaker of
the National Assembly and Others in the following terms, and I
quote:
Parliament is entrusted with the onerous task of
overseeing the executive. Tyrannical rule is usually at
the hands of the executive, not least because it
exercises control over the police and the army, two
instruments often used to prop up the tyrant through
means like arrest, detention, torture and even execution.
Parliamentary oversight is a constitutional obligation that
the House must muster without fear, favour or prejudice. The
nature of our electoral system must not be scapegoated for
lack of effective oversight over the executive.
Parliament, when properly equipped, does carry out its
constitutional mandate in terms of the true dictates of the
Constitution. The National Assembly, in terms of the last
review, passed 24 Bills. The National Council of Provinces
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debated and passed 17 Bills. Two of the Bills passed were
Private Members’ Bills sponsored by the ACDP and the IFP.
The Speaker of the National Assembly has conducted her
sessions impartially with a modicum of dignity. In the secret
ballot case she extended an olive branch to all the
represented political parties. In all fairness, the robustness
of the Fifth Parliament has sought to test the agility of this
august House.
We take great pride in the work of the portfolio committees.
These committees have effectively rewritten the script of the
cause of executive accountability, have held private firms
accountable, and have scrutinised the books of government
departments.
On a lighter note, as I conclude, we wish to take this
opportunity to commend Parliament for delivering the world’s
most endeared event: the state of the national address. It is
on this occasion that the guards of honour, the junior guards,
eminent persons and the military assembled to grace this
event. I thank you. [Time expired.]
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Mr L R MBINDA: Thank you very much, Chairperson of the
session. I am greeting you all, hon members, present here
today. As the PAC, obviously, we are worried about the
luxurious holiday mood that our Parliament and government
departments are operating in. On a daily basis, until the last
state of the nation address, we used to witness wasteful and
unnecessary expenditure, but I must also commend this
Parliament more especially for the state of the nation address
of this year.
We are Africans in Africa and therefore everything that we do
must be in our best interests as the African people. We need
to promote and protect our values and culture. We agree as the
PAC that we should take positive lessons from others. However,
this does not warrant us copying and pasting Roman Dutch law
but expecting it to be responsive to our unique African
situation, as a relevant example.
The vantages of colonialism are evident in many aspects of our
society, and Parliament is not immune to them as parliamentary
rules, regulations and procedures are yet to be Africanised.
For as long as Parliament, like the rest of the judicial
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system, is dictated to by Western jurisprudence, we cannot
claim to be free.
Until such time as African jurisprudence informs our
parliamentary processes, we shall forever compromise our
people as we continue aping other people and not revisiting
our own. To the argument that we do not have our own, the
counterargument is that we do have the principles of mud(?)
and we can build upon them and be effective.
It is a disaster of the so-called democracy that it is
premised on foreign ways, foreign principles and foreign
values. Such has to change. An Africanist democracy has to be
and must be informed by the ways and values of our ancestors
which are at liberty to develop.
Lastly, we call upon Parliament to relook at this without
undermining the rule of proportion representation, the issue
of three minutes, because we cannot make a meaningful
contribution if we are only allocated three minutes.
[Interjections.] The PAC supports the debate with the above
for your consideration. [Time expired.]
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The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Thank you, hon member.
I do hope that the Chief Whips of various parties have heard
your appeal, hon Mbinda.
Ms L M MASEKO: House Chairperson, hon Speaker, Deputy Speaker,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are here, hon members, the
Mandela and Sisulu families here, good afternoon.
In the year in which we jointly celebrate the 100th
anniversaries of the birth of icons — Nelson Rolihlahla
Mandela, on whom we draw lessons and inspiration as we
confront the challenges of the present, and Albertina
Nontsikelelo Sisulu, a stalwart of our struggle remembered for
her strength, compassion and tireless commitment to the people
of our country — we have committed ourselves to unite, rebuild
and renew in order that we may fulfil and realise their vision
of a free and equitable society.
Today we are debating the most important budget, being Budget
Vote 2 of Parliament. This is because only Parliament can pass
the budget. Without Parliament, the annual strategic plans and
annual performance plans of departments cannot be realised,
and without the budget, there will be no service delivery. So,
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this shows how important Parliament is within the three arms
of governance. The head of this institution, who is the
Speaker, is given limited time to present to the House. It
cannot be right, taking into account that when we have the
state of the nation address there is no time limit. The rules
must correct this.
The new dawn has emerged as a rallying call to inspire
confidence and hope among our people, in the ANC and
government; known as the thuma mina concept that is well
articulated by President Ramaphosa. The dominant theme in the
2018 state of the nation address was an appeal to all South
Africans to embrace their common nationhood as well as an
emphasis on social compacting as the primary basis for finding
lasting solutions to the most intractable problems confronting
our society.
The ANC has for a while recognised that the project of nation-
building and social cohesion, made possible by the democratic
breakthrough of 1994, was coming under threat. This was mainly
as a result of an uneven success of government’s social and
economic policies aimed at ensuring that the wealth of the
country was shared more equitably and the quality of life for
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the majority of our people improved in line with the
injunctions of the Freedom Charter.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order! Hon Louw, can
you take your seat?
Ms L M MASEKO: The new dawn symbolises the birth of something
new out of the old. It suggests a new way of doing things. In
essence it is about public representatives acting in a manner
that wins back the trust and confidence of the people in us
and government. It must be about building a professional
Public Service staffed by people who will discharge their
responsibilities to serve the people with distinction. It is
about adherence to good governance practices and fighting
corruption in all its manifestations, including corporate
capture of our state institutions by elite business and
criminal enterprises.
The task of a democratically elected government is to focus on
the agenda of reconstruction and development to address the
social and economic needs of the people. The agenda of a
developmental state requires an approach which acknowledges
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the need for a fundamental transformation of society, socially
and economically.
We are determined that public representatives here in the
people’s Parliament — the tribune of the people — should
undertake their responsibilities with efficiency, diligence
and integrity. We need to lead by example and instil a new
discipline to do things correctly, to do them completely and
to do them timeously, so that the activist Parliament, which
the ANC speaks of, achieves even greater outputs that have a
qualitative and positive impact on the lives of our people.
For Parliament to discharge its duties, we will, going
forward, need to address its resource capacity both as a
quantum but also how it is derived. The national tasks set out
in the state of the nation address will only be achieved in
the greater part because of Parliament’s constitutional
responsibility within the state.
The tasks set out in the state of the nation address will
require even greater oversight and capacity if the objectives
of the commitments outlined by the President are to be met.
These commitments are not abstract, reduced to fielding
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questions to the President on a quarterly basis. These
commitments directly involve Parliament in its ability to
execute its constitutional responsibilities to the maximum,
through oversight, research, analysis of reports and
connecting with our people at a far higher level. This will
have to be driven by empirical evidence, taking decisions on
the balance of this empirical evidence, enhanced and cutting-
edge support to members in a manner that Parliament is a
reflection of strategic value-add and an arm of state.
ANC resolutions adopted at its 54th national conference in
December 2017 give space for all to analyse, reflect and
review whether the objectives of the programmes of the ANC-led
government are being fulfilled. We have to be frank in our
assessment as to whether Parliament is fulfilling its role as
an activist Parliament — a people’s tribune — by ensuring the
implementation of policy in the form of draft legislation. We
have to ensure that we resonate to a far higher level of
oversight over the policies and programmes that are presented
before us. This needs proper and adequate resourcing of the
programmes of Parliament.
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In envisioning this new dawn, the context within which we give
meaning to this, requires candid review and analysis of our
parliamentary work. These include, but are not limited to:
Firstly, political management of the inter-relationship
between the legislative arm and the executive, as well as
other components of the state;
Secondly, our commitment to building an activist Parliament
that puts the interests of all South Africans first,
especially the poor;
Thirdly, legislatures must be felt by the people. They must be
visible through their representatives and have a meaningful
impact upon the lives of the people in order for them to feel
and see in practice the concept of, “The People shall Govern";
Fourthly, strengthening of our monitoring and evaluation
capacity of the work in the implementation of governing party
policies; and
Finally, oversight and accountability by members must
demonstrate the management of the legislative and oversight
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programme of Parliament, which requires capacity, competence
and collective action.
The number of vacancies in Parliament, especially in the
committee section, poses a serious challenge in enabling
Parliament in attaining these commitments that I’ve alluded
to. As the ANC we have, in this Fifth Parliament, driven an
enhanced oversight model which has at its political core
accountability of mandate, resources and implementation of
programmes. The past two years has witnessed outstanding
commitment across committees and ad hoc committees in ensuring
that what has been set in place by the state to benefit the
people actually does serve these interests and none other.
Even though adequate resources have not been available, we
have pushed on with the work, determined that the highest
ethics and values displayed through accountability do take
place.
Parliament is going to have to resource this area of work more
substantially going forward, as the thrust of our work is
revealing more and more weaknesses in the functioning of
government and state-owned entities.
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Our inquiries into respective sectors, even with limited
resources, have assisted in uncovering individual
malpractices, and with greater resources channelled into this
area better results can be achieved.
In scrutinising our legislative oversight we have rigorously
encouraged public participation and valuable inputs have
enriched the process. This should be further enhanced by
capacitating members in legislation drafting so that they can
be able to submit more Private Members Bills on issues raised
by South Africans.
The interest of our people in participation has grown with
increased confidence in the work of Parliament and its ability
to carry out effective oversight. However, we must assess the
effectiveness of the public participation process so that we
do not pay lip-service to it but rather ensure that it is
filtered into policy making.
The same approach to Parliament has been adopted in the
oversight model on the Financial Management of Parliament. One
would want to emphasise the need to speed up the
implementation of this Act in order for Parliament to be
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allocated the budget they have submitted, and not be treated
like a department — because Parliament is not a department —
so that it can also be able to exercise its constitutional
obligation of oversight, lawmaking and public participation
without any hindrance of the lack of resources. This will also
enable Parliament to have independent verification of issues
brought before committees by the executive.
This approach is, however, as some would want us to believe,
an exercise merely within these walls. How we reframe
programming going forward is important since we have to meet
the responsibilities of the legislative programme, oversight
work both here and in the field with the critical work of
being amongst our people through constituency work.
We should also utilise the parliamentary constituency offices
as extension offices feeding into Parliament. We will welcome
the amendment to the Money Bills Act, which we are currently
seized with, as a huge amount of the parliamentary year is
taken up with the budgetary cycle.
The ANC recognises that to improve the performance of our
parliamentary oversight and accountability responsibilities,
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monitoring and evaluation is crucial. The development of an
effective and efficient monitoring and evaluation model to
ensure robust parliamentary oversight, and achievement of
government policy and programmes is critical. We must master
providing the milestones and targets for monitoring and an
early-warning system for problems over government delivery and
system failures.
Our objectives in terms of oversight and accountability must
ensure that the Medium-Term Strategic Framework outputs, which
are government priorities, are meaningfully translated into
programmes and strategic plans.
The quality of our oversight and accountability work is in
part a reflection of our capacity to evaluate whether the
strategic approaches chosen are having the desired outcomes,
addresses challenges and successes, and informs whether
approaches should be changed or adapted to improve
performance.
Evaluation must analyse both the impact and outcome of our
oversight work on government programmes and strategies, and
must assist us with improving and adjusting our own
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parliamentary programme approaches for greater impact and
achievement of the institutional policy goals. This should
enable us to:
Firstly, improve performance, accountability, learning and
decision-making;
Secondly, assess relevance to improve efficiency,
effectiveness and value for money;
Thirdly, generate in-depth knowledge for the overall
improvement in oversight, and finally, recommend ways to
improve both our own work and the work of government.
As much as the ANC agrees that the absence of Ministers and
Deputy Ministers are problematic, we also need to acknowledge
that answering questions and statements is not the only way
that the executive accounts to Parliament, as the executive
does not only have their responsibility to Parliament as the
totality of their jobs at hand. We might need to look at a
single day in a week, based on cluster rotation, which we can
prioritise to have certain Ministers and Deputy Ministers in
the House.
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Another issue of concern is that of Rule 132(5), which
presently gives Ministers and Deputy Ministers two minutes to
respond to statements made by members, when there might be up
to five issues that the Minister or Deputy Minister would have
to respond to. Maybe the Rules Committee should look at
amending this rule, probably giving two minutes per statement
related to them.
We would like to congratulate the Speaker and the Chairperson
of the National Council of Provinces on the appointment of the
High Level Panel that has since finished its task and
presented a report on the Assessment of Key Legislation and
Acceleration of Fundamental Change, which is, in itself, a
manifestation of oversight. We welcome the appointment of the
subcommittee of the Joint Rules Committee to look into the
recommendations. In the case of certain recommendations, we
can safely say that we have already covered considerable
ground in addressing these.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms A T Didiza): Order, hon members! Can
you please not shout at each other while the speaker is on the
podium? I don’t want to hear your stories, which I am hearing
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as some of you are speaking loudly. [Interjections.] I will
tell you one day what I heard. Continue hon member.
Ms L M MASEKO: In other cases proposals will require the
governing party to evaluate policy against what has been
raised. Considerable engagement is required. With regard to
the Constitutional Review Committee, the Joint Committee will
review section 25 of the Constitution and other sections where
necessary, to make it possible for the state to expropriate
land in the public interest without compensation. The Joint
Committee is mandated to propose the necessary constitutional
amendments, where applicable, about the kind of future land
tenure regime needed. A comprehensive programme to get the
opinion of our people in this regard has begun over the past
weekend led by the ANC and will begin at the end of the second
term.
The ANC supports this Budget Vote. I wanted to say that the
figures of unemployment that the DA has raised are also partly
caused by ... We found when we do our oversight work ...
that’s where we pick up some of these issues and we found that
in areas, especially in tourism, restaurants and agriculture,
... we find that on the farms most of our people are being
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retrenched and then those farmers employ foreigners as cheap
labour. This cannot be acceptable. As part of our oversight
work we will continue monitoring this and making
recommendations for their correction. Thank you very much.
[Applause.]
Mr N T GODI: Chairperson, comrades and hon members. It is the
contention of the APC that Parliament as the representative of
the people must be the centre, the lead-organ in the fight for
substantive transformation, the welfare and the well-being of
the people. It must be the lead-organ in the fight against
corruption and maladministration waste and for good
governance.
After more than two decades of political democracy, we can,
born out of collective experience which says we are for good
governance not as a value or lived experience of the liberals
but as representing the collective desire of the African
people for a better life, health care, education and services
and a better future for their children.
Parliament is obligated by the Constitution to overseer the
work of the executive. Parliament can and should continuously
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enhance its oversight work. The continued rise in irregular,
fruitless and wasteful expenditure of public money suggests
that we are not as effective as we should. We must raise the
levels of revolutionary morality.
For those who misuse public funds, there must be consequences.
Equally, a party that can’t manage public funds effectively
and efficiently doesn’t deserve to govern. The APC will
support any motion or Bill that comes before this House that
seeks to return the land to its rightful owner who are the
Africans and is for the establishment of a state bank, state
insurance company and for the nationalisation of the reserve
bank.
There is a growing shift towards African nationalism, a
movement away from that colossal fraud of rainbowism. The
plight of our people must be what spare us in our work.
I would like to appreciate all my colleagues in the Standing
Committee on Public Accounts for the dedication, unity and
focus. I also extend the same appreciation to our hard working
staff.
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On this Africa Month, it is always worth remembering the words
of the hon Marcus Garvey who said and I quote:”our best days
don’t lie in our past but in our future once we know who we
are”. The course of Africa must triumph. The APC supports the
Budget Vote. Thank you.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr C T Frolick): Hon Deputy Speaker,
Members of the Executive, hon members, ladies and gentlemen.
Allow me to dedicate this speech in the memory of the former
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, the late
Comrade Beatrice Ngcobo and the former Chairperson of the
Portfoilio Committee on Labour, the late Comrade Fezeka Loliwe
who contributed immensely to Parliament vision to build an
effective people’s Parliament that is responsive to the needs
of the people and that is driven by the ideal of realising the
better quality of life for all the people of South Africa
Committees are central in exercising oversight over the
executive and to keep members of the executive individually
and collectively accountable for executive action. To do this,
we have been allocated out of a budget of R2,4 billion, of
which committees in both Houses have been allocated a total
amount of R52 million to execute this responsibility. The Ad-
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Hoc committees that are established are also financed from
this budget.
Furthermore, this amount of R52 million must also cover all
expenses associated with weekly meetings, oversight visits,
advertisements for statutory appointments, public hearings,
study tours and specialised services.
In the lawmaking and oversight function, it is important for
as many as possible voices to be heard and not only of those
who are either financially able and empowered to attend
Parliament or those who are residing in the immediate vicinity
of the institution.
This Budget also provides for a mechanism and allocation to
cover the expenses of citizens who are not in a financial
position to travel to Cape Town and to make oral submissions
to committees. This well-established practice is consistent
with our mission statement to represent and act as a voice of
the people in fulfilling Parliament’s constitutional mandate.
The National Development Plan, NDP and the Sustainable
Development Goals, SDG’s have been incorporated into the
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business plans of all committees; an evaluation of budgetary
allocations and departmental alignment to both the NDP and
SDG’s are contained in the Budget reports. However, a lot
needs to be done to achieve the objectives and targets as set
out in the NDP and SDG’s. This House, continuously adopt
reports that contain clear recommendations that deserve
executive action and attention. These reports emanate from
oversight visits, committee meetings and hearings.
The tracking and monitoring of House resolutions taken by this
House leaves a lot to be desired. The current practice of
referring House resolution to the executive has certain
limitations because it doesn’t monitor the responses of action
from the executive to these resolutions that are taken. To
correct this, a dedicated mechanism in the forms of
Information and communication technology, ICT, solution that
should be located in the office of the Speaker must be
implemented as soon as possible.
Over the next two months, the Joint Constitutional Review
Committee will undertake public hearings in all nine provinces
on the topic of the expropriation of land without
compensation. Considerable human and financial resources have
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been allocated to this task with an estimated Budget of
R12,5 million. a special appeal is made to all the political
parties in this House to ensure that these public hearings are
conducted in a disciplined and constructive manner to provide
a platform for the voices of ordinary citizens from all walks
of life.
Not withstanding budgetary constraints, the 5th Parliament has
continued to develop mechanisms to guide its work as envisaged
in the oversight and accountability model and the strategic
plan. Some of the achievements include the following: the
public participation was finally adopted by the Joint Rules
Committee in November 2017.
However, the full implementation of this model with a
dedicated public participation unit is urgent to streamline
activities between the two Houses of Parliament and to provide
feedback to those who participate in all our programs.
With regard to ICT, we currently have 312 members who have
installed the My Parliament App on 403 devices. Broadcast
facilities have been improved and we currently broadcast from
14 committee rooms and the both Houses of Parliament in high
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definition digital video from a recently commissioned control
room. Our ICT has developed an information portal, which
allows for information to be searched for, browsed and
retrieved electronically from any location via the internet.
This means that members have 24-hour access to any electronic
library resource.
The next step is towards e-lawmaking, to further improve
transparency in the lawmaking process. This will ensure that
we have an early warning system in place where undue delays
are experienced in the processing of legislation. Since its
establishment in 2013, the parliamentary Budget office, PBO,
under the capable leadership of Prof Jahed has earned a
reputation as a reliable, professional and independent
advisory service to the Finance and Appropriation Committees
in both Houses.
The funding and location of the PBO Budget must be finalised
to expedite the filling of key vacancies and to broaden the
mandate of this office. The SCOPA and line function committees
must continue exercising financial oversight over departments.
The excellent working relationship between committees and the
office of the Auditor-General have generally strengthened
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oversight. However, we must guard against scope creep and
ensure that joint processes are undertaken by both SCOPA and
the relevant portfolio committees when they deal with matters
affecting departments.
The number of Bills in front of committees is at various
stages of completion and committees with legislation in front
of them will utilise the constituency period in June and July
to complete their outstanding work. Detailed programmes have
been submitted in this regard.
The Public Enterprises and Home Affairs Committees have been
seized with matters of state capture since June 2017. This
work is done in accordance with Rule 227 that confers wide
powers on committees. This Rule allows a committee to and I
quote:” monitor, investigate, enquire into and make
recommendations concerning any such executive organ of state,
constitutional institution or other body or institution”.
The members serving on these committees as well as the lead
investigator, Adv Vanara must be commended for their sterling
work and dedication under challenging conditions. The threats,
intimidation and allegations of financial enticement could not
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sway their commitment in the execution of their
responsibilities.
Last Thursday, upon instruction of the hon Speaker of the
National Assembly, I visited the Office of the Chief Justice
and met with Mr Terrence Nombembe, the Lead Investigator of
the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into State Capture. The
volumes of transcripts of committee minutes and other evidence
that was before the respective committees were handed over to
the commission. It was agreed that the National Assembly would
co-operate closely with the Inquiry, as the need may arise.
The Parliament must be resolute and decisive in dealing with
continued disruptions in committee meetings especially those
that have occurred recently in the Labour Portfolio Committee
and the Standing Committee on Finance. Such disruptions are in
violation of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act 29 of
2017 and undermine the Constitution. These perpetrators must
be charged and face the full might of the law.
Another developing trend is the blank refusal of certain
persons of interest to appear in front of committees. This
pertains to both the state capture enquiry into Eskom and the
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Steinhoff scandal. Strong action must be considered by this
House to ensure that the sovereignty of Parliament is both
respected and protected, otherwise it will simple become the
order of the day that any individual will decide whether they
can come to appear in front of a committee or not.
In conclusion, I want to express my thanks and gratitude to
the Speaker for her continued guidance and also to the other
Presiding Officers for their camaraderie. The Chairpersons of
Committees for their collective support and understanding when
certain applications can’t be approved. Also thanks the Chief
Whips of political parties for their commitment to make
Parliament work well as well as the manager of committees, Mr
Tshabalala. A special word of thanks goes out to all the staff
in my office for the selfless service, sacrifices and
dedication over the years and last but not least, to my wife
who is in the public gallery and the family for their
continued support and understanding with the task at hand. I
thank you, hon members.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Thank you very much, Deputy
Speaker and may I say what a great privilege it is to be able
to participate in this debate today. The Speaker is right; I
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did say malibongwe when you came to the podium because I
recognise that it is probably our last dance together of the
5th Parliament. So I had to acknowledge you.
It is a privilege to participate today in what will probably
be the last budget debate before the 5th democratic Parliament
draws to a close and we start to prepare the Legacy Report for
the transition into the 6th.
It's also an opportunity for us to reflect on where this
Parliament has done well and where it has not, and also what
place our Parliament holds in the minds and experience of the
people of South Africa.
In doing so it would be wrong to ignore the fact that trust in
Parliament as an institution of democracy has plummeted from
65% in 2004 to 38% in 2015. These findings of the Human
Sciences Research Council are contained in the High Level
Panel report tabled at the end of last year. Why is this
significant? The High Level Panel went on to say: “Trust is an
essential element of democratic legitimacy, and the declining
levels of trust in ... institutions impact negatively on
nation-building”.
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What are the reasons for this loss of trust in our democratic
institutions? I would advance that one of the chief reasons
there has been such a loss of trust in our institutions of
democracy is because many of our citizens do not see these
institutions, including our Parliament, as relevant to their
daily lived experience, nor do they see them as offering a
ladder of opportunity out of their present conditions.
A former Leader of the Opposition wrote that in politics there
are two essential choices in the political arena. You can
choose to be a signpost or you can be a weather vane. He
wrote, a weather vane will: “twist in the wind ... and trim
your sails to the prevailing winds of political correctness.
That is the easy path of least resistance but it usually
leads, over time, downhill”.
A signpost on the other hand: "does not bend to the vagaries
of the moment but stands for a cause ... for an enduring set
of principles and beliefs”.
There is no shortage of institutions that have become weather
vanes to the prevailing winds of our time. They twist and
contort themselves, this way and that, spinning listlessly,
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trying to find favour with the current faction in charge or
point to the populist side of the latest cause du jour.
We saw it with the Hawks, that when the foul winds of state
capture blew, failed to act when they should have against the
Guptas, and that only now as the political winds have shifted
and changed, have suddenly sprung to life; too little, too
late!
We saw it with the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, which
blew this way and that, protecting those in political office
and their connected elite from prosecution. Now that the winds
have shifted, they have started to act; too little, too late!
And we saw it with this Parliament that protected and defended
the worst excesses of the last eight years of the Zuma
administration. Some latter-day claimants of sainthood now
decry the thievery, the corruption, the looting and the rot,
yet they were the very same ones who sat around the Cabinet
table nodding, backslapping, and drawing salaries and perks,
all the while knowing exactly what was going on. Sadly, they
still sit here today.
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What we needed in these difficult times and with these
challenges were democratic institutions that stood solid,
rooted in values and principles, secure in their mandate and
that acted without fear or favour, solid, resolute, and
standing up for the Constitution, the rule of law and
democracy. We needed more road signs and fewer weather vanes.
So, the question we have to ask ourselves as Members of
Parliament is what is the sort of Parliament we want to create
in South Africa? How do we turn this Parliament into a road
sign standing firm as a beacon of democracy rather than a
weather vane that twists and turns, buffeted uncertainly by
prevailing political winds?
Never is it more important for a Parliament to be a road sign
and not a weather vane than when it is confronted by an
executive that subverts, breaks the law and ducks
accountability. We witnessed what happened when this very
House became a weather vane to the Zuma tsunami of his
Presidency. Instead of standing firm on the Constitution, the
rule of law and on principle, we were blown horribly off
course over Nkandlagate, Sassagate, Guptagate and Zumagate. We
must never ever have a Parliament again where velvet gloves
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are used to mollycoddle the executive ... [Interjections.] ...
and shield them from accountability.
We will talk about Ms Mvenya when you have dealt with Mr Supra
Mahumapelo who is hanging on for dear life, Mr Mnguni.
This House is not a lecture hall or a classroom; it is a
robust arena of accountability. And, let me be clear, no
member of this House requires a permission slip from the
President or his Ministers to speak up, speak out and hold
them accountable!
Surely we must make this House more relevant to the challenges
facing our nation and work ... [Interjections.]
Hashtag Shut up. Well, I heard that. Let me just tell you
because I’m very glad this issue is being raised.
[Interjections.] I’m very glad this issue is being raised
because let me just tell you something. This ANC has been
trying to get me to shut up for 21 years. [Applause.] They
have never succeeded and they never will! And I’m not even
scared of concomitant action and the like that is threatened.
You will never shut me up! I will never stop speaking up! I
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will never stop standing up! And I will never stop standing up
for what’s right in South Africa! [Applause.]
We have an unemployment rate of nearly 10 million South
Africans. This is a national disaster that threatens the very
fabric of our society. The latest labour force survey should
have triggered an immediate debate in this House of what is to
be done, and yet it does not.
We have a complete breakdown of law and order in our country.
Our citizens are murdered indiscriminately in their homes.
Women and children are raped. Criminals have taken to brazenly
...
An HON MEMBER: Where’s De Lille?
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: I’ll tell you where Mrs De
Lille is when you tell me where Mr Jacob Zuma is. [Laughter.]
This House should be debating a plan of action on how to
restore law and order across the land, and yet it does not. We
have a crisis of poverty in our land.
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An HON MEMBER: Where’s Marietha?
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: I’ll tell you where Marietha
is when you tell me where Pallo Jordan is. [Laughter.]
We have a crisis of poverty in our land. Our children are
literally starving to death; families reduced to living off
sugar water and grass. This should outrage us, and if we truly
are a people-centred activist Parliament, we should be
developing a national plan to feed our starving children. This
House should be leading the charge, and yet it does not.
Instead, we selectively debate conflicts and suffering in
foreign lands, ignoring the daily conflict and suffering of
our own citizens. We have debates on high holidays, this day,
that day, joint sittings commemorating this and that, all
retreating further into the glories of the past, yet all the
while our present and future lie in peril. It is little wonder
we have this widening trust deficit.
Whereto is the future focus; a vision oriented with an eye on
the future to come? Our House should be initiating debates
that point the nation towards the future because, believe you
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me, if we are facing challenges now, innumerable challenges
lie ahead of us. The legislation we pass, the debates we have,
the policies we implement and the oversight we do, should be
preparing our country and our people, not only for the
domestic challenges we currently face but the global
challenges that will confront us as a nation going forward.
We should be debating — and this Parliament should be on the
very cutting edge of that debate — on artificial intelligence
advancements. The job market is going to change rapidly in the
next 20 to 30 years. Jobs and work as we know it today will
simply not exist. We need to prepare our country and our
people for its impacts and position ourselves to be able to
take advantage of the huge opportunities that come with it.
Major advances in technologies, the internet of things, drones
and biotechnology are all going to force us to compete even
more to attract investment, but we cannot compete if we are
not even having these debates to prepare us for the future. We
cannot compete if we are still indulging in backward-looking
analogue debates on the past in a rapidly evolving future-
focused digital era.
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We have a golden opportunity to leap this technological
divide. Our education system is broken, and our skills and
technological capacities are hamstrung and constrained. Policy
failure and poor planning has left our citizens, particularly
our youth, massively vulnerable.
The 2016 Global Information Technology Report released by the
World Economic Forum ranked South Africa last in Maths and
Science for the third consecutive year. Our disjointed and
outmoded education and skills development processes, and
research and development all need to be massively overhauled
anyway. We have the opportunity to do so in a way that gives
South Africa the competitive edge in the new economy to come.
We can build a skills and technological powerhouse that will
allow the youth of our country to ride the wave of the
disruption to come and cash in on being world leaders in key
modern industries, but only if we start leading that debate as
this House. If we do not, South Africa and our people will be
left behind.
One of the primary functions entrusted to this House is the
passing of legislation. This is not an area where there is
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much to boast about. The 5th Parliament’s track record on
passing legislation has been abysmal. In the 2017 year the
House passed only 11 pieces of legislation. Taking into
account the financial legislation we are bound by law to pass
anyway, makes the figure even more miserable. The truth is
that we have not sat enough and often enough to work on and
pass legislation. This has now led to a massive backlog of
34 pieces of legislation in the NA and 15 in the NCOP. The
High Level Panel acknowledged this shortcoming and expressed
its disappointment in the key failure to legislate effectively
where it said, "The time it takes between the first submission
of legislation to Parliament and its passage is too long".
We did not, however, require the panel to point this out A
perusal of the Programming Committee minutes and the Joint
Programming Committee minutes over the course of the last
three and a half years shows how the opposition repeatedly
sounded the warning about the legislative logjam and the need
to intervene, prioritise and make provision. We made
suggestions repeatedly on what would need to be done, yet
these were ignored. We have become the legislature that does
not legislate.
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But, allied to this budget of Parliament, begs the further
question which relates to our actual capacity as legislators
to legislate. Time and time again over every budget year the
members of this House have raised concerns about the imbalance
of forces that exist between the executive and Parliament,
where the executive has abundant resources, whole departments
and batteries of staff, of research, review, planning, legal
advice and data analysis, yet the parliamentary research
capability is horribly underfunded, the staff massively
overworked and underappreciated.
If passing legislation, and good legislation at that, is one
of our core functions, then why does the budget not reflect
that? If we don’t seriously and urgently address this huge
imbalance of forces, the legislative arm is forever going to
be at the mercy of the executive arm.
The ancient Roman poet Juvenal, in his work, Satires, famously
asked who will watch the watchers. In any system, those who
exercise oversight over others should themselves be subject to
oversight. The answer to the question that he poses, in our
parliamentary instance, is the Ethics Committee of Parliament.
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I’m sorry to say, hon Masondo, but your committee has been an
absolute abject failure rendered completely moribund by
committee leadership that do not understand how ethics work or
how to effectively run processes.
The committee has met once this year, despite a massive
caseload of complaints against members of this House, ranging
from assault of women, to dishonesty, to theft of public
money. It is an indictment on the chairs of this committee
that the important work of this committee, so deeply respected
during the tenure of Mr Ben Turok as the chairperson, has been
reduced to, yes, Mr Masondo, a low-level political hit squad
where opposition members are in the crosshairs, but a
lumbering and docile committee when governing party members
are required to be investigated. And frankly, I would be
ashamed ... I would have sent a sick note in if I was you,
rather than come and defend your miserable record in terms of
this committee today. [Interjections.] [Applause.]
Mr P J MNGUNI: Deputy Speaker, point of order: The hon member
is certainly casting aspersions on the good integrity of hon
Masondo. [Interjections.] If he wants to do that he must do so
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through a substantive motion. Then we can deal with it. Can
you please ask him to withdraw that?
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, hon members, we will come back on that
matter. I will go and look at it so that we report it properly
here.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Deputy Speaker, I don’t
require a substantive motion. It was a ruling of the High
Court of South Africa, which exposed this political hit squad
for what it is and said, “The committee was unable to follow
even the most basic principles of a fair and just process.”
[Applause.] What an indictment! What an indictment on you,
sir! [Applause.] [Interjections.]
Mr P J MNGUNI: Point of order once again, hon Deputy Speaker.
You have made a ruling that you will come back to that. It
means you will check Hansard and all. I think it is absolutely
uncalled for, for the hon member to continue ...
[Interjections.] ... on the same note. He disregards your
ruling. Thank you.
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The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Okay. No, hon member, I’m listening and I
will make a ruling at the appropriate time.
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: This is the same committee
that, when we lodged the first complaint against hon Manana,
has still not dealt with it. He’s onto a second transgression
and they still haven’t dealt with the first one. It just shows
you the state and how seriously they take action against ANC
members, and how quickly they moved when it was the hon
Maimane.
I see Mr Shaik Emam has done a hit and run. He’s not here. I
just want to say he’s the ultimate in hypocrisy. I want him to
tell me which NFP members are living in Acacia Park, Pelican
Park and the others because he decries the fact that members
have that. He talks about the overseas trip, the very
impressive and important work we did there in Ghana and
London, Madam Speaker, but he fails to point out that his own
Chief Whip of his own party attended the very same study tour.
That is rank hypocrisy!
Madam Speaker, when you go out to conduct the investigations
into the constituency offices, please do take a little bit of
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time to speak to the staff members in that office, because in
Mr Emam’s office, a staff member had to get a restraining
order against him as he kept threatening him and illegally
docked his pay. The poor man had to go to various courts of
law to try and get justice. [Applause.]
Mr P J MNGUNI: Hon Deputy Speaker, point of order again. This
is definitely personal and it cannot be right.
[Interjections.] He’s casting aspersions. It can’t be right!
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, hon member, that is sustained. That
order is sustained. Go ahead, hon member.
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Deputy Speaker, may I
address you? Which rule was the hon member referring to? That
it’s personal? What rule is that? [Interjections.] Please
quote the rule. Please quote the rule ... [Inaudible.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member, casting ... [Interjections.]
... Hon member, take your seat. Hon member, it’s important
that we desist from those personal ... [Interjections.] ... on
members as is required by the rules. Proceed hon member.
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The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Deputy Speaker, out of
respect for you I will withdraw, and I will certainly share
the copy of the affidavit and the order of court with the
press, because it’s very clear that the ANC is covering up for
unfair labour practices. They talk about the farms and
everything that’s going on there, yet they are covering up
here for unfair labour practices.
However, I would again take very, very careful note of taking
advice from Mr Shaik Emam. Political parties have one job and
that is to contest elections, and when you can’t even register
for the last election held in South Africa you have got to ask
yourself how seriously can you take Mr Shaik Emam and his
party?
The hon Kilian threw her own party under the bus and I agree
with her list of indictments against the government, the Home
Affairs Department that’s in absolute disarray, clinics that
are not working, hospitals that are falling apart ...
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon member, what are you rising on? Take a
seat, hon member.
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Prof N M KHUBISA: Deputy Speaker, I want to ask whether hon
Steenhuisen is prepared to take a question.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon Steenhuisen, are you prepared to take
a question?
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: I’ll be consulting in
Barneys after the sitting. I’m happy to take it there.
The hon Kilian spoke about that, and she then accused the hon
Waters of misleading this House. Well, it would be very nice
if, from time to time, she maybe attended the Parliamentary
Oversight Authority, where in front of ANC members, that
information was released to the committee in the budget
hearings of the last quarter. So, if she is accusing anybody
of lying, please can she go and take it up with the
Parliamentary Budget Office and the parliamentary officials
who give us the information in the committee? Again, casting
aspersions on your own operation. With friends like that who
needs enemies? [Laughter.]
I do want to say that our Parliament has achieved much, but
has also fallen short of what our Constitution expects from
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us. I think we can do better as a Parliament and I think that
we can do better as parliamentarians. This House has to become
a place that realises the very best dreams of the hopers and
defeats the worst intentions of the haters. The House has to
become a place where freedom is defended. The House has to
become a place where opportunity is expanded. The House has to
become a place where diversity is celebrated. And, the House
has to become a place where fairness is legislated.
And if this great Parliament can be that road sign, standing
firm through even the darkest night and strongest storms,
resolutely directing us to a new hope, then the answers to the
questions that we ask will be answered. The power to solve the
immediate challenges that lie in our hands are before us. We
need to have the courage to grasp them. The challenges lie
ahead of us and we must all grasp them together. Thank you.
[Applause.]
Mr V G SMITH: Deputy Speaker, hon members and distinguished,
guests good afternoon. I would like to take this opportunity
to pay tribute to all the parties represented in this
Parliament for their contribution to the progress we have
made. Though we have our differences, often important and
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sometimes profound, we have as a collective demonstrated our
overriding commitment to the new order that we have together
established. You have ensured that this Parliament is no
rubber stamp in the hands of government and given birth to a
new democratic political culture. Yeah, I am glad you think is
rubbish, but listen to what I am about to say. This is an
extract from Madiba’s address on the occasion of the final
sitting of the first democratic Parliament on the 26 March
1999. Madiba spoke rubbish for you. You must be ashamed of
yourself, sir. Those statements said by Madiba in 1999 are
true and relevant today as they were 19 years ago.
As we debate this final Parliament Budget Vote for the Fifth
Parliament, we must acknowledge our achievements but also
raise our concerns. As we reflect on the past four years, all
political parties represented here should continue to make
constructive proposals aimed at transforming this institution
into a more effective and efficient machine and to contribute
in crafting a legacy for future parliaments to build upon.
Comrades, located within the national development plan are
five strategic outcome orientated goals relevant to
Parliament, these are: strengthening oversight and
accountability; enhancing public involvement; deepening
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engagement in international fora; strengthening cooperative
governance; and strengthening legislative capacity.
We must agree that considerable progress has been achieved
with regard to oversight and accountability as well as public
involvement. This progress has resulted in South Africans
having far more confidence in their public representatives’
willingness to ensure accountability.
With regard to public involvement communities are taking an
active role in the governance of our country as can be seen by
the popular participation even with the current programme of
the constitutional review committee as it pursues its mandate
for the amendment or otherwise of section 25 of the
Constitution. Such is the public interest shown and the
importance attached to this exercise, that we are witnessing
public participation reminence of the drafting of the Freedom
Charter and the finalisation of the Constitution of the
country. South Africans have truly moved from just
sloganeering about the people shall govern to the reality that
the people are governing.
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Parliament continues to mature and has now evolved from merely
processing legislation that emanates from the executive to
Parliament itself initiating legislation. It is a pity hon
Shivambu is not here because contrary to his accession that
the ANC lacks capacity to make laws. Let me give him two
examples. In recent months this House passed the political
Party Funding Bill that was initiated and processed entirely
by the legislature. This piece of legislation will ensure
greater transparency with regard to who funds political
parties and why. Political parties will henceforth be
compelled to account publicly as to how party funds are
utilised. Another very important aspect of this law is that
it affords corporate South Africa and other donors an
opportunity to contribute to the multiparty democratic project
by depositing directly into the multiparty democracy fund.
Fellow South Africans and hon Shivambu, in the next two weeks,
yet another Parliament initiated piece of legislation, namely
the Public Audit Act Amendment Bill will be tabled in this
House. The primary objective of this Bill, initiated by the
legislature, is to grant the Auditor-General the requisite
powers to ensure that there are real and immediate
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consequences for financial mismanagement or corruption in both
the public and private sector.
To ensure that effective parliamentary oversight and improved
public participation is continued, we as Parliament must
insist that the institution is appropriately resourced.
Parliament is not an equivalent of a department of government,
we are an equal, but autonomous arm of the state and must
enjoy both operational and financial independence, and as such
Parliament should not be dependent on the executive for
funding.
For the 2018-19 financial year, the budget for magistrates and
judges salary amounts to R3,2 billion. At the same time the
operational budget for Parliament which is meant to capacitate
Members of Parliament to exercise oversight over the
executive, amongst other tasks, only received the budget of
R1,9 billion. I argue that the Parliament budget which is more
than R1 billion less than just the salary budget for the
judiciary is woefully inadequate when we consider that this
institution has a constitutional obligation to oversee a
country expenditure budget of almost R1,5 trillion. The
current practise whereby parliament is subject to the same
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process as government departments with regard to budget
allocation is inconsistent with Parliament’s status as an arm
of the state that is equal to the judiciary and the executive.
[Applause.]
We are however aware that the Speakers Forum has started
engagements with the Ministry of Finance as well as the
Minister in the Presidency with regard to setting up a
separate budget process of Parliament and provincial
legislatures. As parliament we should actively support a
speedy finalisation of this matter once and for all.
The joint committee on the oversight of Parliament observes
that in 2015-16, the final budget allocated to Parliament was
R628 million short of what Parliament requested. In 2016-17,
the shortfall was R958 million, in 2017-18 the shortfall was
R1 billion and in the 2018-19 the short fall is R476 million.
Essential support such as committee research and budget office
support cannot be enhanced due these to budgetary constraints.
Between the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, the Programming
Whip and the programming committee, the collective are ceased
with the responsibility to ensure that the program of the
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House is finalised after the due consultation between all the
political parties. Part of their responsibilities includes
arranging the business on the Order Paper in concurrence with
the Leader of Government Business where necessary. It also
includes chairing the Chief Whlp’s Forum and considering
requests for committees to sit beyond the seat of Parliament
or during sittings of the Assembly. Currently, this central
responsibility to ensure the smooth functioning of the
National Assembly is funded by the political parties from
their own party allocations. It is my considered view that
pPrliament should be responsible for these costs.
The inherent risk of an underfunded Parliament is that the
very engine of parliament, being the committees, is unable to
perform optimally. the time is now to address this matter
head-on in the interest of safe-guarding our hard won
democracy and for the sustainability of Parliament being the
centre where the voices of the voiceless will be heard and
respected.
As our democracy deepens, Parliament must recommit and better
capacitate itself in order to do more to tackle the still
pervasive poverty, unemployment and inequality challenges that
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continue to affect so many of our people. Addressing these
ills decisively needs unity of purpose and co-operation from
all of us as different political parties.
The country has moved into an era where the application of
austerity or cost reduction measures has become necessary so
as to better utilise the scarce financial resources at the
country’s disposal. The provision of the basic needs of all
South Africans must never be sacrificed on the altar of
corruption or the lack of skills and ability.
The apartheid arrangement that arises from having the
executive capital 1 000 kilometres away from the legislative
capital has huge cost implications for the national revenue
fund as well as the loss of productivity implications of
having departmental officials and members of the executive
commuting between the two capitals at huge financial costs,
sometimes for engagements that last for less than four hours.
This status quo can no longer be justified. In light of this
reality, I believe that our contribution as this Parliament
towards directly savings costs in the long-term must include
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advice to the next Parliament to embark upon the program of
relocating this institution. [Applause.]
At this point allow me to deal with two or three matters that
have been raised by our colleagues. Hon Waters raised the fact
that performance indicators are nonexistence in certain
instances. He raised the fact that Parliament does not have
treasury office to advise the Speaker and that the Women’s
Parliament continues to cost us as prices go up. We all agree
with that, hon Waters. However, these matters are being
addressed by the committee that is charged with the oversight
of Parliament. As such it is our responsibility to make sure
that these are fixed up before the Speaker gets involved. As
the oversight committee member I can assure you we are engaged
to that matter.
I agree with you, hon Waters, when you say the budget of
Parliament needs to be relooked at, and I eluded to that. I
agree 100% with you. Thank you very much, hon Steenhuisen.
I want to speak to South Africans rather than to speak to the
EFF. Let’s make it clear. On 27 February, when this House
resolved for the review of section 25 of the Constitution it
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did not resolve that the Constitution will be changed so that
the state will be the sole custodian. That was not in the
resolution. The resolution said that we must review. From
where I come from the word review means a formal assessment of
something with the intention of instituting change if
necessary. [Applause.] To create an impression of this House
concluding or resolving to change the Constitution is really
not accurate.
Hon members, we must also agree with hon Shivambu and applaud
the EFF for the list of its intended Bills that it wants to
bring to Parliament. But we must also say that that is the
role of Parliament and the Members of Parliament, MPs. So we
should not applaud it. It is like applauding a fish for
swimming. It’s our job. [Laughter.] Talk to the general about
the fish.
Hon Steenhuisen, with all respect, sir, we fought as those
that were oppressed. We fought for the rights of all South
Africans to be able to speak freely. That was our sacrifice.
The #Shutup can never be something that revolutionaries will
ever advocate for. It does not settle with those of us who
were in the trenches. Rest assured, hon, Steenhuisen, it will
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never come from us – it won’t come from us. [Interjections.]
Yes! Yes, if you keep quiet you learn.
Hon Steenhuisen, let me talk about your argument. I agree with
you that this Parliament must begin to debate about the
future. What is that future? That future is the resolution
around land reform. Let’s have that debate and not suppress it
as you guys want to. Let’s debate about the ownership of land.
Let us debate about the issue of white privileges and black
poverty. [Applause.] Let us debate it. That is what I agree
with you - let us do that.
Finally, hon Steenhuisen, I agree with you that this House’s
responsibility is to pass legislation. But I do think that it
should not be the quantity of legislations that we should be
worried about, but it should be the quality and the impact of
the legislations. [Applause.] I would rather have legislation
sit and not being implemented if it’s not going to improve the
quality of lives. That should be the measure of what we are
doing.
Parliament as the legislative arm of our democratic state has
a special role to play in achieving the South Africa for which
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Mama Sisula, Madiba and so many others have sacrificed for. I
thank you.
The SPEAKER: Hey, today you are really being led by hon
Steenhuisen. He just said something and you didn’t hear him
...
IsiZulu:
Wathinta abafazi
English:
Hon members, thank you very much for what I believe was a
constructive engagement on matters pertaining to Parliament.
Allow me to first respond to a few matters that were raised.
On the matter of legal drafting, I agree that this is a scarce
skill that must be cultivated. We actually have been
discussing this over a long time. I remember we did even in
the third Parliament. Clearly, there is an appetite on the
part of hon members and that’s why I reported in my main
address that 12 Private Member Bills were submitted by hon
members from different parties and not necessarily passed
already.
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On transitional arrangements, hon Dlakude, be assured that the
administration has commenced with the legacy report under the
leadership of the acting secretary to Parliament. This will
include the area of transitional arrangements for the sixth
Parliament.
Hon Kilian, I agree that training for members should be
ongoing, not only an activity confined to the point of the
induction training at the start of a new Parliament.
The costs of subsistence allowances and transport for some
staff ... This is a matter that was raised, I think by the hon
Walters and I believe that it has been dealt with by hon Smith
because the money has been allocated to their respective cost
centres instead of the Women’s Parliament. By the time the
report for the third quarter was finalised, this was not yet
corrected which then caused the variance of R40 000 between
the amounts reported during the third and fourth quarter. As
hon Smith has indicated that it is being dealt with by the
Joint Standing Committee.
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Let me remind hon members about the formula for funding of the
political parties, which is something I thought members would
be aware of by now.
IsiZulu:
Uthini uKwankwa.
English:
I thought you would by now be familiar with how the issue of
funding of political parties is dealt with. Political parties
are allocated funds in proportion to their representation in
the House as provided for in the Constitution. I think it is
the hon Chief Whip that has repeated advised hon members that
the thing for them to do is just to make sure that they come
back in larger numbers.
With respect to the variance of money withheld from political
parties, the correct amount withheld was only R199 000 and not
R190 million. There is a great difference between the two
figures. So, hon Walters, you have not quoted the correct
amounts. Well, maybe we should look at the document and
correct it.
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With respect to the quarterly budget allocation, hon members,
in this regard, please note that the responses on the changes
to the budget allocations will be submitted to the Joint
Standing Committee as promised, last week, by the acting
secretary to Parliament.
We note the concern with regard to the Treasury advice office.
I am aware of the separation of powers between the Treasury
office, advice office and the chief finance officer. We
continue to submit the request for this unfunded mandate and
we will do so in this year’s adjustments budget
Hon members, speaking at the first sitting of Parliament, as
the first democratically elected President of a free South
Africa on 24th May 1994, President Nelson Mandela stated:
We place our vision of new constitutional order for South
Africa on the table not as conquerors prescribing to the
conquered. We didn’t do that. We are still not in the
mood. We speak as fellow citizens to heal the wounds of
the past with the intent of constructing a new order
based on justice for all. [Applause.]
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Those words marked the final death nail of an unjust political
system based on race and the birth of a new constitutional
order in South Africa.
One of the key outcomes of the liberation struggle was the
country’s Constitution, which bears the very heavy imprint of
the vision and the values which President Nelson Mandela, Mama
Albertina Sisulu and others of their generation stood for.
Nelson Mandela understood the importance and significance of
Parliament and therefore, had a profound respect for this
Parliament as it has had for him.
This respect is personified in a conversation that former
Speaker, Frene Ginwala, recalls with Madiba. Just after she
was elected as the Speaker, talked about what Madiba said, I
quote:
You must run Parliament in a way that carries on what we
have done in negotiations, where we have tried to bring
all parties on board. We have tried to involve everybody
so that we take the whole of South Africa into this new
arrangement.
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Here we are quoting Frene Ginwala in conversations with the
Mandela Foundation on 14 June 2008.
Both Madiba and Mama Sisulu were concerned with giving life to
the Constitution and achieving its stated aims. They both
understood that Parliament is not only the vanguard of
democracy but it is also primarily responsible for improving
the lives of millions of our people.
It was in this spirit that we embarked on the process of
defining and securing the features of our freedom – which are
strong democratic institutions with the necessary checks and
balances ... You know this cough. Cheers. ... To ensure our
democracy’s endurance and resilience even when faced with
adversity and challenges.
We owe Tata Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu a great
dept. We should strive to emulate their visionary leadership,
humility and above all, their belief of being selfless
servants of our people.
May we and generations to come derive strength from them and
act in the knowledge that there is a possibility and a
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potential of a Mandela and a Sisulu in each of us.
[Interjections.] That potential is there if we commit to never
forget that we exist to serve the people but not to destroy
one another.
Let us in our words and actions be it, in the chambers of
Parliament, the executive and wherever we find ourselves, act
with integrity and honour as Madiba and others, including Mama
Winnie Madikizela Mandela did in service to our people at all
times.
Let us work together to continue the work of Nelson Mandela
and Mama Albertina Sisulu to fulfil the promise that: “The sun
shall never set on so glorious a nation,” to quote from Tata
Madiba. I thank you.
IsiZulu:
Intsha kukhulunyiwe ngayo Hlengwa. Wena aweneliswa nje.
[Ihlombe.]
APPROPRIATION BILL
(Consideration of Reports of Portfolio Committee)
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The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon members, we will now take orders 2-41
together as they appear on the Order Paper. These are reports
of Portfolio Committees on Budgets Votes as has been the
practice over the years.
There will be no declaration of votes on these reports as they
have already been debated during Mini-Plenary sessions, and
parties will have the opportunity to make declarations during
the Consideration of the Votes and Schedule on Friday, 25 May.
However, we will allow parties to indicate their objections to
specific reports should they wish to do so.
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Thanks hon Deputy
Speaker. I move that the reports be adopted. Thank you.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The motion is that the reports be adopted.
Are there any objections? There is an objection, yes?
The DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: (Mr WALTERS): Deputy
Speaker, please note the objections for the following reports
from the DA: Vote 7 – Finance, Vote 19 – Defence and Military
Veterans, Vote 28 – Labour, Vote 11 – Public Works, and
finally Vote 34 – Trade and Industry. Thank you.
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The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you. We will do that.
Mr N M PAULSEN: Thank you Deputy Speaker. Please note the
objection of the EFF to all reports with the exception of Vote
5 – The Office of the Chief Justice and Administration. Thank
you.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you. We will note that. Are there
any other objections? No objections, agreed to. Hon members,
before you leave I thought I should do this on behalf of the
Presiding Officers. I don’t have their mandate.
Former President Nelson Mandela in a meeting somewhere here
told us that when he went to the United States, the big
protector he was allocated to say to him: “Sir, you may not
like my face, but when I say get down you better get down.”
[Laughter.]
So Madiba looks at him and says this fellow; but he says I
couldn’t do any other thing else I just hope nothing happens
that will require me to be told to get down. So when we sit in
this chair and I ask you to please take your seat please do
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so. You may not like our faces. Please go home. Thank you.
[Laughter.] [Applause.]
The House adjourned at 18:39