Order! Hon members, it is not usual for me to intervene in a voting process. However, I do believe that I am constrained to do so if an occasion occurs where a mandate transmitted to the NCOP is not adhered to. The KwaZulu-Natal legislature has indicated that the delegation should abstain from voting on the amendments to the Rules, that is, on this item that we are voting on. I have a letter before me from the province to that effect. However, the delegate indicated that KwaZulu-Natal was in favour.
I wonder if Ms Thomson could guide us in that regard before we declare the vote.
Madam Chairperson, my apologies. I really thought we were on something else, but the correct mandate is that we should abstain. Can I correct that?
We will allow the mandate of the province to be expressed as indicated by Ms Thomson. We therefore have eight provinces voting in favour of the report and KwaZulu-Natal abstaining.
Report adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution (KwaZulu- Natal abstained).