Chairperson, hon Members of Parliament, the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport Amendment Bill comes at a very important time, a time when there is a global fight against doping in sport, a fight aimed at promoting the values of fair play and honesty in sport.
About four months ago, this House passed a resolution for our country to ratify the International Convention Against Doping in Sport. This Unesco- driven initiative is based on the World Anti-Doping Code which was drafted by the World Anti-Doping Agency, whose acronym is Wada.
One of the principal functions of the Bill before the House is to align the existing Act with the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code and its international standards. Let me point out that noncompliance would result in South Africa being refused participation in international sport, including the Olympics and the Paralympic Games. I, as I stand here, know of no South African who would like this to happen, yet we read and hear on a regular basis how some of the top sportspeople in the world, some of the world record holders test positive for using performance-enhancing substances.
Only yesterday, we heard of two top cricketers in Pakistan, Mr Akhtar and Mr Asif, who tested positive. Let me say that this is sad news, because doping undermines the spirit of fair play and it undermines discipline in sport. Our own country hasn't escaped the scourge of doping. We read of our own heroes like Hezekiel Sepeng who has fallen foul of doping offences.
A few weeks ago the leading article on the front page of the Rapport read "Skolesportskande", referring to doping amongst schoolboy rugby players. The article described how parents bought banned substances for their children so that they could be selected for the provincial schools teams, with the hope eventually of getting a contract with one of the senior provincial unions.
Carte Blanche did an expos on their programme on 24 September 2006, where young people, many of them still at school, admitted to using steroids and revealed that the practice was widespread in some of our schools. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to determine the reason why top sportspeople resort to doping, because doping is nothing else but cheating to achieve success and the driving force here is money.
What is shocking is that this greed for money leads people to totally disregard the long-term consequences of such behaviour. We all have a responsibility to ensure that the true values and virtues of sport are protected and preserved. I am sure that I do not have to stand here today to expound on the good of sport. Unfortunately there is also the ugly side of sport. This Bill aims to reinforce our commitment to clean up sport and ensure fair play.
Clause 5 of the Bill, which seeks to amend section 10 of the principal Act, compels the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport to establish a doping control programme in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code to ensure that national federations adopt and implement the antidoping policies and rules, which conform with the Code's, the policies and rules; ensure the ongoing presence and maintenance of a Wada-accredited laboratory in South Africa - and in our case, it is in the only "free state" in this country, in Bloemfontein; ensure that while the institute might co-operate with Sport and Recreation SA and Sascoc as needed, it shall operate independently as required by the World Anti-Doping Code.
The SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport, Saids, a public entity associated with Sport and Recreation SA, will have to be sufficiently funded to redouble its efforts aimed at counteracting this unwelcome tendency of doping. The testing programme of Saids, their antidoping advocacy and education campaign will have to be intensified to achieve the required successes.
Order! Hon Deputy Minister, just give me a minute. Order! Hon members, the noise levels are far too high.
It is our opinion that doping in sport is not dissimilar to recreational substance abuse. Our campaigns in sport to fight the scourge of doping can also serve to address drug abuse in our society. In these campaigns we should use our sports heroes as role models. They must not only be vocal on the topic of antidoping and drug abuse, they should be the heroes and the heroines and the champions who set the example. I know that, as we speak, we can rely on them to assist us in this drive against doping.
If and when we identify the real culprits of doping in sport, we must act decisively against them. It is here that we call on the federations to comply with the Act because failure to comply by the federations will result in punitive measures by Sport and Recreation SA.
Clause 17(a) of the Bill makes provision for investigating and dealing with national sports federations that do not comply with the Act. The section is in fact very clear: action by the Department of Sport and Recreation may include withdrawal of government funding, banning such federations from administrating sport or a recommendation to Sascoc to withhold the awarding of national colours to the members of such federations.
While the Act provides for this, I am absolutely convinced that it will never be necessary to use it because our federations have always supported measures aimed at promoting the values of fair play. We thank the federations in advance for their unqualified support and co-operation in this regard.
South Africa continues to play a central role in the fight against doping in sport internationally and on the African continent. We represent Africa on both the executive and foundation boards of the World Anti-Doping Agency and our Minister of Sport and Recreation, uMfundisi [Rev] Makhenkesi Stofile is a member of that body. We also host the African regional office of the World Anti-Doping Agency here in Cape Town and that is something that we as South Africans are extremely proud of. While it is important to be vigilant about doping practices in sport, it is equally important that we, on the other hand, increase our support to athletes to enable them to perform to the best of their ability without using drugs. Many of our athletes are currently in the national academy programme. This programme is funded by government and co-ordinated by Sascoc.
Our athletes are attending camps in preparation for the All Africa Games in 2007 and the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. At these camps, the athletes and coaches receive the necessary scientific and medical support that will help them to achieve their optimal potential.
Our ultimate goal and objective is to place our athletes and teams in the residential long-term athletes' development programme in cycles of four years. To this end, we hope and trust that it will be within our means as government to shortly announce an athletes' assistance programme where our top athletes as well as those with the best potential will be financially supported on a monthly basis.
The intention of government in introducing this Bill is clear. We want our athletes to excel in a dope-free environment. We therefore ask the support of this hon House and all political parties in achieving this objective for all our athletes. I thank you.
Chairperson, Deputy Minister, Ministers and other Deputy Ministers that are around, hon members, the ANC stands up and supports your request for the amendment of the Bill. The Bill before us today is an amendment that seeks to address the issue of drugs in sport.
I would also like to inform Members of Parliament that, regarding the institute that we are talking about today, there are only 30 of these types of institutes in the world, and in Africa there are only two. South Africa and Tunisia are the only two countries in Africa that have these institutes.
This is very special and it is a tribute to South Africans to be among the nations of the world who are in possession of this very important institute that deals with the critical matter of doping in sport, so that we encourage fair play.
This institute has been in existence for more than three decades. What the Bill is seeking to address concerning this institute, is that this institute must begin to say, "for more than three decades, the institute has been a lily-white type of institute". Today, this Bill says that issues of redress, as required by the Bill of Rights, should be what this institute engages in.
All South Africans who have the necessary competency, knowledge and expertise must be part of this institute and must be able to help us to form part of this army that is fighting drugs in sport. Deputy Minister, we therefore request that this amendment and the manner in which we are going to transform this institute should make it one that belongs to all South Africans and not to a certain group of people that are privileged.
Deputy Minister, last year the portfolio committee was invited to KwaZulu- Natal to witness the MTN under-17 soccer tournament - the final tournament. Regarding the participants in that competition, who were called the under- 17 children, I am sad to tell you, Deputy Minister, today that 80% of them were adults. There was an outcry that cheating is rife in the under-17 teams at school level. Therefore that defeats what we are talking about when we say we must encourage fair play and not encourage competition regarding young children who are still at school level.
This institute must begin to look into issues of age, that is cheating, and also look at not being able to encourage fair play for those young children who are under 17 to be able to participate fairly and equitably in that area.
This Bill seeks to amend the principal Act, that is the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport Act. Furthermore, the amending Bill focuses on considering, deleting and inserting certain definitions and omissions in the principal Act, and on amplifying crucial sections in order to avoid any possibility of ambiguity and uncertainty.
The amending Bill is being considered at the time in South Africa when drug- free sport is absolutely necessary, in line with acceptable international standards and best practice in respect of fair play.
The Bill makes legislative provision for the appointment of the staff in the institute, in line with the Public Finance Management Act. Formerly, there was no recognition of this Public Finance Management Act but there was what is known as the Exchequer Act. The exchequer is no longer in existence. We therefore agree wholeheartedly that we must change this to the Public Finance Management Act, make it relevant and realign it with all policies of government.
The Bill particularly focuses on putting in place correct methods and procedures of adopting international best practice, in line with the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Wada. The international best standards considered in the Bill and in the amendment were adopted by the foundation board of Wada on 5 March 2003 at Copenhagen in Denmark. Procedures for testing athletes for doping and for enforcing compliance by sports federations are introduced in this Bill.
The amending Bill directly entrusts the Minister with the authority to appoint members of the institute, including the chief executive officer. But, what we have inserted in this original Bill is that the chief executive officer must not have voting powers like any other member of the board. Therefore we have removed the voting powers of the CEO. Only those that are nominated should have voting powers. The chief executive officer must remain an operational officer and be a non-participant in this respect.
Clause 3 of the amending Bill specifies that chairpersons and at least nine members are going to be appointed to the institute by the Minister. They should possess special knowledge and expertise relevant to doping. Therefore only those who have that expertise on doping are going to be the people eligible for being members.
The Minister will invite interested parties through the media, by placing a notice in the Gazette. The Minister will receive recommendations 30 days after the publication of the notice. Sascoc will also make an input into these recommendations, but the final decision will rest with the Minister.
The amendment of section 8 removes the Exchequer Act because it is not in use any more, and we are realigning that with the Public Finance Management Act. The second amendment - section 10 - is a consequential amendment. It brings things into line with the World Anti-Doping Agency code and enhances the principal Act. The amending Bill will create measures to ensure that national sports federations and other sports bodies implement the anti-doping policies and rules, in line with the stipulated Wada code. The institute will operate independently from Sascoc and the sport and recreation department will, from time to time, be required to co-operate, if need be.
We also dealt with section 11 of the Act. This amending Bill also deals with a number of issues. It introduces the concept of establishing and maintaining a register for athletes who test positive and top athletes who shall be subjected to testing during competition and outside competition. Because, at times, these people go and do testing when the player is in the field of play or when he is at home, the Bill thus provides for testing outside and inside the field of play, and they use very sophisticated methods nowadays.
A few days before a game or competition, they use those substances. After two days the substance is no longer in the body but has dissolved in a way that gives more power to that athlete. Therefore, if the anti-doping people have a shadow of doubt, they would visit that person and test him or her. The Bill provides for that.
Minister of Safety and Security, I would like you to take into consideration that the safety and security aspect will have to be looked into, because there are provisions that we have to take care of when this kind of thing happens. Hon Deputy Minister, we have also inserted sections 11A to 11C. These sections concern the register that has to be kept regarding the athletes who violate the rules; and these sections also outline the procedures for informing the sports bodies on how this whole new dispensation is going to be handled. But that will also be in compliance with the provisions of the Promotion of Access to Information Act. Therefore, if any other relevant body, even the police, need this kind of information in terms of that Act, they will be eligible to get it. The Minister must make provision for that.
Finally, section 17 of the Act has been amended. An independent anti-doping board has to be established and shall consist of 9 members who possess what we call "the knowledge and skills which are relevant to doping". But, also, the Minister will have to appoint at least three members who will, on the recommendation of the Minister, constitute the appeal tribunal. The committee deliberated on this extensively.
The requirement in the original Act that any person who is a lawyer, practising lawyer or an advocate who is supposed to be nominated in accordance with this Bill must have seven years of experience, is tantamount to making access too difficult. This requirement should read "when a person is accredited as a practising lawyer or advocate and has at least three years of experience", because the committee felt very strongly that seven years perpetuated the status quo. Seven years makes it difficult for those who must have access in relation to capacity and knowledge to build up this institution and the knowledge that this institution requires. It tends to marginalise those people. Therefore, the committee changed that and said it should be three years.
Finally, Deputy Minister, we have agreed with the institute that an intensive national education programme on anti-doping should commence at schools and amateur-level clubs. It should start with immediate effect, because if we can't start now doping will escalate. We have seen how it has critically ravaged highly placed athletes in this country because they have used these drugs, at times not knowing that they are banned substances. Therefore the ANC supports the Bill.
Ministers and hon members, the core purpose of this Bill is both simple and important as it seeks to ensure that athletes compete fairly, without using substances that boost their performance. Having said that, the Bill has changed fairly dramatically from its original form. Although there were a number of amendments made to the Bill, I intend to mention only two of them.
Firstly, the Bill was amended to comply with the international standards as well as policies and requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code. South Africa is not an island, that's why we hosted the Rugby World Cup and that's why we will be hosting the Soccer World Cup in 2010. It is thus only natural that we have a duty to reflect the standards that apply to the rest of the world.
Ukwenza kuhle umsebenzi wethu njengamaSewula Afrika, kufanele siphalisane neenarha zoke ephasini mazombe. [To perform our tasks effectively as South Africans, we must compete against all countries of the world.]
The Bill was amended to allow the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport to search for and seize illegal substances - along with the SA Police Service. As the situation stands, only the SAPS can formally search a person or property and seize illegal substances. Obviously, the SA Institute for Drug- Free Sport should have a similar authority if it is to effectively fulfil its mandate.
The SAPS is overstretched as it is, and fighting drug abuse in sport is certainly low on their list of priorities. That doesn't mean that this is an insignificant problem and that the institute must fill the gap that the SAPS is currently unable to deal with.
Further, the current pressure on the SAPS does not only relate to manpower but also to its resources. Our forensic laboratories are hamstrung by massive backlogs. Allowing the institute to assist will also create a greater capacity to test any substances seized, and determine their nature.
Besides this Bill, there are a number of other challenges facing the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport. The first one is that its role should not only be limited to enforcing and testing, but should also aim to educate athletes about prohibited substances and their effects. It should not only educate professional athletes, but also people who are aspiring to become professional athletes in the future. As the chairperson said, it must start at the lower level.
Lokhu kuzokufundisa abagijimi abasakhasako bonyana bazwisise ukuqakatheka kwe-SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport, nokobana ihlangano le ayisilo inaba labo, kodwana kuyihlangano evikela bona nemidlalo yenarha mazombe. (Translation of isiNdebele paragraph follows.)
[This will teach the up-and-coming athletes to understand the importance of the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, and that this organisation is not their enemy, but is an organisation that protects them and sport in the whole country.]
Secondly, the penalty for using prohibited substances by an athlete should be the same in all spheres of sport. The institute has very specific consequences for a person found to have used any prohibited substances. Those consequences should be replicated across all South African sports federations. It should not matter which sport you play: cricket, rugby or athletics. The consequence for breaking the law should be uniform. If the substance used is the same, the penalty must be the same.
The earlier a person learns about prohibited substances, the better. Athletes should have no excuse. They should know what constitutes a prohibited substance and which substances are listed as prohibited and forbidden, and they should be able to respond accordingly.
I want to register the DA's concerns. The first of the DA's two concerns with regard to this Bill is the inclusion of the clause through which the Minister of Sport is allowed to intervene, in the case of a national federation's refusal to co-operate. We know for a fact that international federations do not approve of or indeed legislate for the involvement of government in sport. This seems to be yet another example of the ANC administration's attempts to centralise power in the Minister's office.
The second matter of concern is that not all federations are members of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee or Sascoc. It seems that there is nothing that compels them to be members of Sascoc. All disputes are referred to Sascoc, but if some federations do not belong to them, how is Sascoc going to resolve that dispute?
The committee on sport is presently deliberating on the Sport and Recreation Amendment Bill. The two concerns are already captured or registered in this Bill. I hope that with this present amendment to the Bill, the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport will now be free to perform its function. I thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson and hon members, sportsmen and sportswomen are always trying hard to improve their performances by training harder or using new technology. There are unfortunately some athletes who have stooped to the lower levels of using illegal performance-enhancing substances to get an unfair advantage over their fellow competitors.
Drug use in sport is a worldwide problem that affects all sporting codes. The number of high profile cases involving drug use in sport serves to highlight the severity of this problem. Internationally, Justin Ducklin, the Olympic gold medallist in the men's 100m sprint, recently tested positive for the use of an illegal substance and so did Marion Jones, the much-decorated American athlete.
These problems are by no means restricted to international athletes. Here in South Africa, apart from our own medallist Hezekiel Sepeng, Isaiah Mkuna - as the Deputy Minister has said - was also banned for the use of an illegal substance. What is even more worrying is the use of performance- enhancing drugs by schoolchildren who are under enormous pressure to perform in school sports. These are just a few of the many cases that involve drug use in sport. This is clearly a problem that is threatening to undermine the spirit under which sport is supposed to be played.
We, in South Africa, are part of the international sporting community and are also affected by this growing problem. It is, therefore, imperative that we do everything in our power to assist the relevant authorities to stamp out this illegal practice.
The aim of the principal Act, the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport Act of 1997, is to promote participation in sport, free from the use of prohibited substances or methods that intend to artificially enhance performance, and thereby render impermissible doping practices which are contrary to the practices of fair play and medical ethics.
This amending Bill before us today introduces provisions that will strengthen the principal Act. A United Nations' code designed to diminish doping cases, has been ratified by this Parliament and this Bill intends to bring South Africa in line with the international anti-doping code.
Sports and sporting personalities play an important role in our society and have a great influence on the lives of many people. The euphoria experienced when we won the Rugby World Cup in 1995 and the Football African Cup of Nations in 1996 was evident for all to see. These remarkable achievements made the whole nation proud of the many players from the respective teams, and they became role models and heroes to many of us.
When sportsmen and sportswomen use illegal substances to enhance their performance, they are not only cheating their fellow competitors they are also disappointing their many adoring fans. It is, therefore, necessary that we provide the relevant framework and legislation that is needed by the authorities to eradicate the use of illegal substances in sport. The IFP supports the Bill. Thank you. [Applause.]
Chairperson, in South Africa there has been a string of athletes falling foul of the authorities regarding performance-boosting drugs. The competitive nature of sport, coupled with the large sums of money often involved, makes professional athletes particularly vulnerable. This, however, is unacceptable, especially in view of the influence that they exert as role models.
It is also extremely perturbing to note that many schoolchildren who are under pressure to perform athletically, are reported to be turning to drugs. In this regard, the ACDP supports moves by the SA Institute for Drug- Free Sport to implement an anti-doping education programme aimed at schools throughout the country before conducting testing at sports events. Measures that do not include consequences will however be ineffective. Sport has a tremendous potential and has already played a hugely positive role in nation-building in South Africa, in raising levels of health and fitness and even in building self-esteem.
The ACDP welcomes this Bill that strengthens measures to enforce the national anti-doping strategy. We also support calls for sports federations to be more active in collaborating with the institute to create awareness amongst athletes regarding anti-doping rules.
The ACDP, however, notes the legitimate concerns regarding the need to accommodate drugs such as anti-inflammatory preparations and even asthma inhalers that are widely used in South Africa for good reason. Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson and members of the House, this amending Bill is going to address issues of cheating in sport to prevent individuals and/or organisations from gaining more power and will allow fair competition for any athlete in all sporting codes. This amending Bill inserts new clauses to ensure drug-free sport and to ensure that everyone will comply with the international standards.
Again, the amendment ensures the election of the appeal board members and its functioning, and also determines the voting powers. Furthermore, it looks at the co-ordination of the staff and provides a gender perspective as well as instructions regarding remuneration, allowances or any other employment benefit.
South Africa has only one relevant laboratory for such functions and it is situated in Bloemfontein. It is very important for us to note that in the entire Africa, there are just two laboratories: one is in South Africa and the other is in Tunisia. They constitute part of the 30 laboratories which exist globally.
South Africa has endorsed the International Convention Against Doping in Sport, which is spearheaded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Unesco. That emphasises the point that this does not apply to our sportspeople only, but includes anyone who is entitled to participate in sport within or outside the country. No one can engage in any doping without facing disciplinary measures. Again, this gives any victim room to defend himself or herself in case that particular person has been framed.
This Bill also complies with the Public Finance Management Act. It is very important to devise a strategy to inform all stakeholders about all these changes in order to avoid any disturbance in the process of this amending Bill, and also for our people to exercise democracy. Anyone is free to seek clarity or express himself or herself on any aspect.
Once everything has been finalised, the legislation should also be given to the World Anti-Doping Agency, Wada, so as to align it with the World Anti- Doping Code. We believe that all people who are proudly South African will be even prouder about the introduction of such constructive legislation. The ANC supports the Bill. [Applause.]
Hon Chair, last week I attended two meetings of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation. The issue at hand was not this Bill, but another more contentious Bill on intervention in sport. The SABC's report on the hearings included the part where I criticised the committee for creating the impression that certain views were disregarded. For some reason, the report was confusing to many people. One example of this is a note that I received earlier today from an ANC member of this House. She wrote:
Hon Spies, I was so pleased to hear you on TV hitting so hard at Mr Kriel's comments on sport: that he was talking for a bunch of whites who were not interested in progress. For the first time, I saw you as a person, not a Boer.
The truth is that I was actually supporting Mr Kriel and not hitting out at him. But, be that as it may, I am glad that I am also seen by hon members of this House as a person, albeit for the wrong reasons. I am also glad to announce that this person, the party I represent and the people who support us are in favour of stricter measures to curb drugs in sport. The FF Plus supports the Bill. I thank you.
Acting Speaker, the PAC of Azania welcomes the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport Amendment Bill as tabled in this House. The Minister will be empowered to appoint the members of the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport and to align the functions of the institute with the Public Finance Management Act of 1999.
Regarding the establishment of the anti-doping control programme and the preparation and approval of strategic plans, as well as the budget of the institute, by other sports bodies, the PAC of Azania is fully supportive of the establishment of the institute that consists of the chairperson and nine other members, including the CEO.
However, we are sceptical of the process leading to the final appointment of the incumbent, as it is open for misuse. The Minister, as the final appointer, may, at times, be accused of nepotism, especially when his or her friends, family or comrades are deemed suitable for the position. The PAC of Azania, in protection of valid criticism or random allegations of nepotism, wishes to propose a review of this issue over a period of time, where a panel of experts and knowledgeable persons may be involved in the final process.
The PAC feels further unease at the involvement of the Minister of Sport and Recreation, and the Minister of Finance in the appointment of the chief executive officer by the institute.
Order, hon member, your time has expired.
The PAC supports the Bill.
Chairperson, the use of steroids and other drugs to boost performance in athletics can be associated with the hunger and pressure to run faster, jump higher and be stronger.
Challenges regarding testing do exist, where some flu and headache medication contains substances prohibited by the International Olympic Committee. Even asthma pumps and certain anti-inflammatory cortisone preparations are prohibited.
It is a great concern that approximately 80% of South African sportspersons are ignorant of the substances banned by the IOC at the Commonwealth Games in 1998. However, the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport, the SA Sports Confederation, the Olympics Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency are all working hard to inculcate drug-free sport and awareness.
It is extremely worrying that the abuse of steroids has extended into our schools. Children are often pressured to use these to win. A survey in 1999 showed that 22,7% per 1 000 Grade 12 pupils in Johannesburg and 5,9% per 1 000 Grade 12 pupils in Cape Town, totalling 2 547 collectively in these areas, were very likely to use anabolic and androgenic steroids. That definitely suggests that a greater awareness of anti-doping laws needs to be instituted in all sports federations, and taken to schools.
It's promising that this Bill serves to earnestly address doping in sport in South Africa. The MF supports the amending Bill. [Time expired.]
Modulasetulo, Ditona tse di tlotlegang, Maloko a Palamente, bagaetsho ka kakaretso, Aforika Borwa jaaka nngwe ya dinaga tse di saenneng Kokoano ya Bodit?habat?haba e e Kgatlhanong le Tiriso ya Diritibatsi mo Metshamekong, e itsise Molaotlhomo-tlhabololo wa go se dirise diritibatsi, go netefatsa taolo le go se gobelele magareng ga baatlelete le botlhe ba ba amegang. (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[Ms M W MAKGATE: Chairperson, hon Ministers, Members of Parliament and comrades, South Africa, as one of the countries which signed the International Convention Against Doping in Sport, has introduced an amendment in the Bill which prevents athletes from using drugs to ensure that there is control and fair participation among all athletes.]
Clause 2 provides for the amendment of section 3 of the principal Act, which will give the Minister powers to appoint the chairperson of the institute. The Minister, as per recommendation of the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport, will appoint the other nine members, taking into consideration the requirements of the Public Service and Administration Act, which promotes gender equity, and representivity and redresses the imbalances in sport.
In appointing the chief executive officer, it must be noted that the institute will do so in consultation with the Minister, and subject to the Minister obtaining the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, in this regard. Staff members will be regulated by the institute through the establishment of personnel regulations, in consultation with the Minister for the Public Service and Administration directing human resource matters to comply with all relevant legislation applicable to the appointment of staff.
Clause 11 makes provision for punitive measures that may be implemented against national sports federations by Sport and Recreation South Africa after consultation with the institute.
Tona e tla tsereganya mo mokgapheng o, fa e le gore tatlhegelo e tla be e le ditlamorago tsa kgotlhang, tatofatso ya botsamaisi jo bo sokameng, kgotsa morero mongwe le mongwe o o tla tlontlololang le go diga serodumo sa metshameko le boitapoloso.
Kwa bofelong, go tshwanetswe go elwa tlhoko gore ka Molaotlhomo-tlhabolo o, re ka se salele morago mo go fediseng tiriso ya diritibatsi mo baatleleteng ba rona ba Aforika Borwa. Ke a leboga. ANC e tshegetsa Molatlhomo- tlhabololo o. [Legofi.] (Translation of Setswana paragraphs follows.)
[The Minister will have to intervene in this case if ever the loss will result in conflict, allegations of a corrupt management or any disgraceful intentions of tainting the image of sport and recreation.
Finally it should be noted that through this Bill, we will not be left behind in bringing to an end the use of drugs among South African athletes. Thank you. The ANC supports this Bill. [Applause.]]
Chairperson, I would like to thank all political parties for their support. I didn't hear the hon Masango and I don't know what the DA is going to do, ie whether they support the Bill or not. Some of the members are nodding their heads in support and others are not. However, I think we had very good input from every member, except for two members whom I think got a bit confused. When the hon Masango and the hon Spies made their contributions here today they referred to another Bill which is undergoing the process of public hearings in front of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation.
That's a Bill that, no doubt, we will debate in this House in time to come. But let me just point out to the hon Masango that the SA Institute for Drug- Free Sport operates totally independently as a public entity, as required by the Wada code. So you don't have to worry about the powers of the Minister.
On the other hand, however, we must be clear that the federations that will not give us their co-operation, and come in line with the provisions of the Bill and be active in anti-doping activities will be dealt with as reported in the introductory speech.
I end off by thanking everybody and all the political parties for their support. Thanks to the portfolio committee for a job well done in preparing this Bill. I thank you.
Debate concluded.
Bill read a second time.