Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I want to clarify to the hon Paul Mnguni of COPE about what he said concerning the Mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Mr Gwabeni. He said that Mr Gwabeni's party has taken a decision about him - it has the right to do so, and I think we all know that.
In January this year, there was a strike that lasted for three months in that district. I went there to intervene. I negotiated with the unions to resolve the strike. After the negotiations, the provincial government appointed an acting municipal manager because the municipal manager was dismissed. There was no leader, the sheep had no shepherd, but the Mayor didn't welcome that intervention.
After three months of the acting manager's stay in office - without being welcomed - he uncovered a lot of misdemeanours, wrongdoing, maladministration, corruption and nepotism.
On 1 July 2009, the provincial government acted in terms of section 139 of the Constitution, by taking away the administrative and financial powers of the municipality. Mr Gwabeni, without following any due process - Chapter 3 of the Constitution, to be precise, which requires that a person must engage with another sphere of government where there is a dispute - went to court. He didn't follow the clause. That means he was in violation of the Constitution. Despite that, he continued to engage in this process, which was problematic in a way. [Time expired.]
Hon Minister, your time is up. I only allowed you a few extra minutes to continue because I was also interested in the conclusion of this story. Maybe you can conclude it outside for the hon member of COPE. [Laughter.]