Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker and thanks to hon De Lille. Yes, hon De Lille, I think we will all accept that the issue of Thibedi is a very sad story. It is very unfortunate indeed because he is now taking flak, probably for something which could have been avoided.
But I want to respond by saying that of course there is a manifestation of the problems in the department. We have acknowledged those problems - not only have we acknowledged them but we are also doing something about them. I think hon members are aware that there is an intervention support task team, which is currently working in the department, looking not only at issues of human resources, but also at systems within the Department of Home Affairs. By the way, these are chronic problems. We have now taken responsibility for some of the things which ought to have happened ages ago and unfortunately did not happen and we are doing something about them. And I think our strength is our ability to accept and acknowledge that there is a problem and that we can move forward by resolving those problems.
It's unfortunate that Thibedi finds himself in a situation where he has been given a prison sentence of five years. However, it does also send a message to all of us and to the public that we do not resort to those kinds of acts in order to resolve problems. I really want to reiterate that I'm very sad about what has happened to the young man. It is unfortunate that none of us was approached in mitigation of circumstances in his case. Thank you very much.