Hon Speaker, Cope supports Vote No 24 but is concerned that a number of serious deficiencies in the administration of the department were exposed during the budget process, not least being that key positions were not and will still not in this financial year be filled. Some of these departmental shortcomings reflected in critical financial management deficiencies, also in key, state-owned entities that report to the department, resulting in the squandering of public money.
Deficit budgets were tabled by the SABC and the Society and Network for Technology in Education through Collaboration, Santec; and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, Icasa, announced over the past weekend that they would not meet the deadline for digital migration.
The financial constraints mentioned by these entities will severely inhibit their ability to fulfil their mandate effectively unless the finance Minister bails them out.
Cope believes that the department has unfortunately allowed the ANC in the portfolio committee to dictate to the department how they should execute their legislative obligations. The management in the department and in the state-owned entities have fallen prey to the political infighting in the ruling alliance, which unfortunately had a negative impact on the public broadcaster and Icasa.
The time has come for the Minister to ensure that the serious financial irregularities and deficiencies at the SABC are properly investigated and that those found guilty are appropriately punished. Similarly, the Minister should assist Icasa to restore public trust in the board after their unacceptable political fling with Cosatu in an attempt to derail the Vodacom listing. Cope will insist on the implementation of the PFMA to keep management of the department and of state-owned entities accountable to Parliament. Thank you. [Applause.]
Speaker, the IFP will support this Vote, but would like to raise two issues which are of concern to us. Firstly, we want to raise our concern with regard to the relationship that this department has had with the SABC, and especially with the dissolved board. It emerged during the inquiry which the portfolio committee held into the affairs of the SABC board that the relationship between the board and the corporation was somewhat strained and less than normal.
The board complained that it received less than full support from the department, which is the sole shareholder of the SABC. On the other hand, the department complained that the previous board failed to conform to their directives. We urge the department to correct this situation so that the interim board and the new permanent board will be able to operate with the maximum support possible from the department.
The second issue relates to what appears to have been the urban bias and focus of the department in the past. Our major gripe has to do with the failure to actively see to it that information and communication technology services are extended equitably to reach all citizens of this country, especially those who live in rural areas of our land. The people of the rural areas also deserve first-class ICT services.
It is for this reason that we welcomed the Minister's undertaking during the Budget Vote to steer the department towards correcting this situation and we want to say to the hon Minister that he has our full support in the endeavour to make the rural citizens of this country also first-class citizens. I thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Speaker, the ACDP believes that the regulatory debacle of the listing of Vodacom was stupid, to say the least. Whilst we accept the apologies of Chairman Mashile, Icasa conducted itself in an appalling manner totally unbecoming of an independent regulator. Apologies and contrition are clearly not enough.
Had the urgent application to stop the R88 billion listing succeeded, it would have done incalculable damage to South Africa as a destination for investors. The repatriation of the R20,6 billion invested would also have had dire consequences for our volatile currency.
The ACDP encourages the portfolio committee to continue its investigation into who succumbed to political pressure at Icasa. Those responsible must be held accountable at the very least for the estimated R5 million fruitless and wasteful expenditures on legal costs. The ACDP will, however, support this Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Speaker, the ANC's commitment to freedom is well known and entrenched. Our commitment to freedom of expression in society, including the media, is located within the context of the Constitution of the Republic. These rights need to be weighed against other constitutional rights, such as the right to human dignity and privacy.
We believe that communication plays a major role in deepening our democracy, promoting a culture of human rights and as a key pillar in the transformation of our country, the public broadcaster included.
Progress has been made in transforming the media and challenging the legacy of apartheid in the media discourse. But a lot still has to be done. However, we must continue to emphasise that in this industry transformation is still lacking.
We acknowledge and support the efforts between the Department of Communications and the National Treasury on the ongoing discussion to recapitalise the SABC and also to fund Santec with regard to digital migration. We further support the continuous engagement to make sure that the broadband wireless network, which is supposed to be rolled out in the countryside of the country, is being supported.
However, I thought that in the spirit of communication and so on, maybe Cope would share with us why their second deputy president has resigned. But we, however, believe that this budget will go a long way in motivating for these noble inputs. Thank you. [Applause.]
Division demanded.
The House divided.
AYES - 258: Abram, S; Adams, P E; Adams, L H; Ainslie, A R; Balindlela, Z B; Baloyi, M R; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bapela, K O; Bhengu, P; Bhoola, R B; Bikani, F C; Blaai, B C; Bogopane-Zulu, H I; Bonhomme, T J; Booi, M S; Borman, G M; Boshigo, D F; Botha, T; Botha, Y R; Burgess, C V; Carrim, Y I; Cebekhulu, R N; Chikunga, L S; Chiloane, T D; Chohan, F I; Coleman, E M; Cronin, J P; Cwele, S C; Dambuza, B N; Dandala, H M; Davies, R H; Dexter, P D; Dhlamini, B W; Diale, L N; Dikgacwi, M M; Dlamini-Zuma, N C; Dlulane, B N; Dubazana, Z S; Dube, M C; Dudley, C; Dunjwa, M L; Ebrahim, E I; Farisani, T S; Fihla, N B; Fransman, M L; Frolick, C T; Fubbs, J L; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gcume, N P; Gcwabaza, N E; Gelderblom, J P; Gigaba, K M N; Gina, N; Godongwana, E; Gololo, C L; Gona, M F; Goqwana, M B; Greyling, L W; Gumede, D M; Gungubele, M; Gxowa, N B; Hajaig, F; Hogan, B A; Jeffery, J H; Joemat-Pettersson, T M; Johnson, M; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Kholwane, S E; Khunou, N P; Kilian, J D; Komphela, B M; Koornhof, N J J v R; Kota-Fredericks, Z A; Kotsi, C M P; Kubayi, M T; Landers, L T; Lekgetho, G; Line, H; Lishivha, T E; Luthuli, A N; Luyenge, Z; Maake, J J; Mabasa, X; Mabedla, N R; Mabuza, M C; Mac Kenzie, G P D; Madasa, Z L; Madikizela-Mandela, N W; Madlala, N M; Mafolo, M V; Magagula, V V; Magama, H T; Magau, K R; Magazi, M N; Magwanishe, G; Mahlangu-Nkabinde, G L; Makasi, X C; Makhuba, H N; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Malale, M I; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, J M; Manamela, K B; Manana, M C; Mandela, Z M D; Manganye, J; Mangena, M S; Manuel, T A; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Martins, B A D; Masango, F T-T; Mashatile, P; Mashiane, L M; Mashigo, R J; Mashishi, A C; Masutha, T M; Mataboge, D K; Mathebe, D H; Mathebe, P M; Mathibela, N F; Matladi, M N; Matlanyane, H F; Matshoba, J M; Maunye, M M; Mavunda, D W; Mbili, M E; Mc Gluwa, J J; Mda, A; Mdaka, N M; Mdakane, M R; Mdladlana, M M S; Mentor, M P; Mjobo, L N; Mkhize, H B; Mkhize, L N; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlambo, E M; Mlangeni, A; Mmusi, S G; Mnguni, P B; Mnisi, N A; Mocumi, P A; Molao, S K; Molebatsi, M A; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Morutoa, M R; Moss, L N; Motimele, M S; Motlanthe, K P; Motshekga, M A; Mpontshane, A M; Msimang, C T; Msweli, H S; Mthethwa, E M; Mthethwa, E N; Mtshali, E; Mufamadi, T A; Mushwana, F F; Muthambi, A F; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndabandaba, L B G; Ndabeni, S T; Ndlovu, V B; Ndude, H N; Nel, A C; Nelson, W J; Nene, N M; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngele, N J; Ngonyama, L S; Ngwenya, W; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhanha, M A; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njikelana, S J; Njobe, M A A; Nkwinti, G E; Nonkonyana, M; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntuli, B M; Ntuli, Z C; Nxesi, T W; Nyalungu, R E; Nyama, M M A; Nyanda, S; Nyekemba, E; Oliphant, M N; Oosthuizen, G C; Peters, E D; Petersen-Maduna, P; Phaahla, M J; Phaliso, M N; Pilusa-Mosoane, M E; Pule, D D; Radebe, B A; Radebe, G S; Radebe, J T; Ramatlhodi, N A; Ramodibe, D M; Rantsolase, M A; Rasool, E; Saal, G; Schneemann, G D; Segale-Diswai, M J; Selau, G J; Sexwale, T M G; Shabangu, S; Shiceka, S; Shilowa, M S; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibhida, N N ; Singh, N; Sisulu, L N; Sithole, S C N; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Skosana, M B; Smith, P F; Smith, V G; Snell, G T; Sogoni, E M; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Stofile, M A; Suka, L; Sulliman, E M; Sunduza, T B; Surty, M E; Swart, S N; Thabethe, E ; Thobejane, S G; Tinto, B; Tlake, M F; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tsenoli, S L; Tshivhase, T J; Tshwete, P; Tsotetsi, D R; Twala, N M; Vadi, I; Van der Merwe, J H; Van der Merwe, S C; Van Schalkwyk, M C J; Vukuza-Linda, N Y; Williams, A J; Xaba, P P; Xasa, T; Yengeni, L E; Zikalala, C N Z; Zondi, K M.
NOES - 65: Boinamo, G G; Bosman, L L; Carter, D; Coetzee, T W; Davidson, I O; De Freitas, M S F; Doman, W P; Dreyer, A M; Du Toit, N D; Duncan, P C; Farrow, S B; Figlan, A M; Fritz, A T; George, D T; James, W G; Kalyan, S V; Kganare, D A; Kloppers-Lourens, J C; Kohler-Barnard, D; Kopane, S P; Krumbock, G R; Lamoela, H; Lee, T D; Lotriet, A; Louw, A; Lovemore, A T; Madisha, W M; Marais, S J F; Masango, S J; Maynier, D J; Michael, N W A; Mnqasela, M; Mokgalapa, S; More, E; Morgan, G R; Motau, S C; Mubu, K S; Ntshiqela, P; Poho, P D; Pretorius, P J C; Rabie, P J; Rabotapi, M W; Schafer, D A; Schmidt, H C; Schmidt, J; Selfe, J; Shinn, M R; Smiles, D C; Smuts, M; Spies, W D; Steele, M H; Steyn, A; Steyn, A C; Swart, M; Swathe, M M; Terblanche, J F; Trollip, R A P; Van Dalen, P; Van Den Berg, N J; Van der Linde, J J; Van der Westhuizen, A P; Van Dyk, S M; Van Schalkwyk, H C; Waters, M; Wenger, M.
ABSTAIN - 1: Buthelezi, M G.
Vote accordingly agreed to.
Vote No 25 - Environmental Affairs and Tourism - put and agreed to.
Vote No 26 - Human Settlements, formerly Housing - put.
Declarations of vote:
Due to rapid urbanisation and migration from rural areas, housing poses a great challenge, and while the ACDP recognises the significant number of subsidised houses that have been provided, government's initial drive to build a million houses in five years has tragically resulted in substandard workmanship and poor planning.
Waiting lists for people still to be housed are also a major concern and the ACDP is concerned that this budget does not appear to make provision for reviewing and establishing a comprehensive and transparent database, without which those who have waited many years are at risk of being overlooked.
The ACDP has championed rural development to redress the problems of migration to the cities, so we are interested in the recapitalisation of the rural housing loan fund. Communication with prospective residents will be vital for settlement success. From the Joe Slovo challenges of the Western Cape to agrivillages for farm workers, only through interaction can planners hope to accommodate the actual needs and concerns of people affected.
We applaud work taking place to improve living standards and conditions for impoverished suburban and rural communities. Hon Minister, has an allocation been made for the upgrading and restoration also of the inner city buildings? I'm thinking of examples such as the old warehouse that was turned into makeshift housing on Saratoga Avenue in a key 2010 focus area. Many buildings like this one are homes to hundreds of families. Like their suburban counterparts, they are also faced with erratic services that can lead to health and safety hazards.
The ACDP hopes that the new focus on human settlements will facilitate better responses to the many challenges. We will support this Budget Vote. Thank you.
UKhongolose uyaluxhasa uHlahlo-Lwabiwo mali ngezandla ezingenamkhinkqi. [The ANC supports the budget unreservedly.]
We strongly believe that the budget promotes comprehensive and sustainable human settlements as per the Breaking New Ground strategy requirements that have been adopted by this House, as well as the ANC's manifesto and the conference resolutions.
There is no doubt that the budget is expansionary. A significant increase has been observed and the increase continues to support the ANC's objectives and priorities in an effort to improve the lives of the people of this country.
The ANC is committed to the acceleration of the housing delivery strategy, and that includes the restoration of the human dignity of our people on which a strong emphasis has been illustrated in the MTEF. [Interjections.]
We are convinced that the resources allocated to Vote No 26 will enable the delivery of houses as expected in line with the Constitution and the Freedom Charter. Issues of quality and corruption have been with us extensively in the committee. We are proud to indicate that progress has been made and the effort to root out corruption in housing is commendable.
However, the committee expresses its commitment to playing its vital role and monitoring adherence to the policy and legislation. We are very confident about the issue of hostels, because the Minister has committed himself to look at the Community Residential Units, CRU, programme and if need be it will be reviewed. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
I am standing to thank the Minister for his response and his passion in dealing with one of the legacies of apartheid, the creation of single-sex hostels, which were created by one of the ugliest laws - influx control. I want to thank you, Minister, for your intervention and the department officials have been in touch with us, and we are very happy that you have taken this matter seriously. Thank you.
Vote agreed to.
Vote No 27 - Rural Development and Land Reform, formerly Land Affairs - put.
Declarations of vote:
Thank you very much, Speaker. The DA does not support the small and insufficient budget allocated to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. The DA views this department as a crucial vehicle to bring development to the rural areas. Millions of people in the rural areas have been neglected for many years. They do not have the infrastructure to provide basic services such as running water, electricity, roads or sanitation.
In Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape, rural communities were attacked by the waterborne cholera disease because of drinking dirty water from rivers and streams. The President put rural development and land reform on a high-priority list of development.
Millions of poor people from rural areas expect parliamentarians and public representatives to change the bad situation to better their lives. They believe their lives will be improved as promised by the President in his state of the nation address. Incapacity, shortage of staff and lack of financial support will hinder rural development and land reform.
About 4 891 rural claims under land restitution are still outstanding. To achieve the target of 30% by 2014, 20,5 million hectares of land still need to be redistributed. A lack of post-settlement support poses a serious threat to land reform programmes.
We cannot raise high expectations in rural communities and fail to implement development programmes due to inadequate funding. This budget will reduce this Ministry to a spectator, while poor and unemployed people suffer. The DA therefore opposes Budget Vote No 27 due to an insufficient budget. Thank you. [Applause.]
Thank you, Mr Speaker. The IFP supports this Budget Vote, in particular its prioritisation of rural development. However, the following concern is recorded: The IFP completely rejects individual land ownership in rural areas. It demands clarity on the modus operandi of this process. If freehold titles are granted freely, then even the poor will be accommodated, but there will be more applicants than there are sites to go around and the land scramble will degenerate into chaos.
On the other hand, if properties are sold, the poor will remain landless while land titles go to the rich. I am told that even here in Cape Town the prime land is owned by overseas investors. Even the argument that freehold titles would enable black entrepreneurs to raise business loans, pales in significance when we consider that failure to repay those loans will result in further land dispossession, leaving blacks without any recourse since all land will then be owned by the banks.
Usually, when people's properties are repossessed in urban areas, they return to the communally owned land where they are given sites by amakhosi. This is why amakhosi and their subjects fought bitter and sanguinary wars against the colonies. They were trying to prevent what is being planned by the government. They were trying to preserve some land for posterity. Thank you.
Thank you, Speaker. The ACDP supports government's determination to continue to prioritise poverty alleviation, and in view of the high levels of poverty which persist in rural areas, we applaud the new focus on rural development. These efforts, we hope, will help rural inhabitants and communities to prosper and help stem the flow of people to cities in search of work.
A lack of access to land, however, is still cited as a major contributor to rural poverty, making the remaining outstanding land claims a definite concern. In order to meet its 30% target, the department needs to redistribute at least 3,2 million hectares of white-owned agricultural land every year between now and 2014. This is clearly not possible on the budget before us.
The ACDP notes the additional budget for staff capacity and expects the department to proactively utilise this, not only to seek out suitably qualified personnel, but for departmental training to develop and achieve the required levels of skills. With funds allocated to land acquisition being persistently scaled back, questions are being raised as to government's intentions regarding purchasing of land.
Both land claimants and the agricultural community require a speedy conclusion to claims to restore confidence and regain peak production for food security. Regrettably, the ACDP sees this budget as inadequate to meet capacity requirements, to achieve targets in redistributing land and for making restitution. The ACDP will not support Budget Vote No 27 as it stands. Thank you.
Speaker, die doelwit wat die ANC-regering vir homself gestel het is om teen 2014 30% van landbougrond in swart boere se hande te h. Die VF Plus s dit is 'n onrealistiese teiken. Dit is onrealisties in die eerste plek omdat die departement nie die mannekrag het om die proses behoorlik te bestuur nie, en daar is ook nie geld om daardie doelwit te bereik nie. Dit is tog baie duidelik uitgespel in die Departement van Grondsake se strategiese plan vir 2008-11. Hulle s dit self.
Tweedens, as ons na grondhervorming in Suid-Afrika gaan kyk en jy s jy stel vir jouself 'n doelwit, dan behoort jy minstens te weet hoeveel landbougrond daar in Suid-Afrika is, hoeveel wit boere daar is, hoeveel swart boere daar is, hoeveel kleurling of Indir boere daar is. Daar is nie so 'n oudit nie, so hoe kan die ANC-regering 'n doelwit stel as hy nie weet watter syfers daar is nie? Alvorens daar nie 'n behoorlike grond-oudit gedoen is nie, sal die VF Plus nie hierdie Begrotingspos steun nie. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans declaration of vote follows.}
[Mr P J GROENEWALD: Speaker, the ANC has set itself the target of handing 30% of agricultural land to black farmers by 2014. The FF Plus is saying that this is an unrealistic target. Firstly, it is unrealistic because the department does not have the manpower to manage the process properly and there are also no funds to reach that target. The Department of Land Affairs made this clear in its strategic plan for 2008-11. In fact, they themselves are acknowledging this.
Secondly, when one looks at land reform in South Africa and sets a goal then one has to at least know how much agricultural land is available in South Africa and what the number of white, black, coloured or Indian farmers is. Such an audit does not exist, so how is it possible for the ANC government to set a target if these figures are unknown to them? The FF Plus will not support this Budget Vote unless a proper land audit is done. Thank you.]
Speaker, the ANC will always adhere to the dictates of the Freedom Charter by distributing land to the people of our country. In that vein, the ANC has tasked the Ministry of Rural Development and Land Reform to use the available resources within the institutional capacity of the commission to drive restitution, tenure reform and land distribution - our heritage - from unwilling land holders to the landless masses of our patient and poor people, before they turn this country into a bigger Zimbabwe.
We, the deployees of the ANC in the Rural Development and Land Reform portfolio committee, are aware that this task will not be easy, but we refuse to tell lies and claim easy victories. We commit to work with farmer unions, worker unions, the landless people, labour tenants and traditional leaders to democratise ownership, access and use of land within the available law and resources, as there will be no democracy in our beloved South Africa while the vast majority of our citizens and their children stand aside and look on while the rich, and usually absent, landlords are enjoying the privilege of holding land when the rest of the population wallow in poverty and squalor.
That's what Mugabe said!
We share the concern of the hon Msimang of the IFP. The budget of the department is inadequate and he knows the reason why the budget is inadequate. We also share the concern of the hon Groenewald of the FF Plus. He knows and understands the concerns. However, he does not share the willingness and commitment of the ANC to work with farmer unions who refuse to sell and part with their land so that the poor people can have access to land. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance, African Christian Democratic Party and Freedom Front Plus dissenting).
VOTE No 28 - Minerals and Energy - put.
Declarations of vote:
Hon Speaker, the unprecedented levels of load shedding due to government's failed energy policy have caused a drop of more than 25% in mining's contribution to GDP, which has contributed to the negative effect on the country's economic growth rate.
Nersa's recent approval of a 3,3% increase on top of the 27,5% levied last year has caused many people, particularly in the townships, to be deeply in debt as they struggle to pay their electricity bills.
We, unbelievably, also await a further application for another increase by Eskom of up to 54% later this year. The review of the Mining Charter is currently being undertaken, and the perception that the goalpost was unilaterally shifted shortly after the elections by the department will have negative financial consequences. Talks of nationalising the mining industry and the revival of a state mining company are of extreme concern.
In addition, the suggestion of setting up a resources bank funded by royalties payable by the mines is just as damning, as the funding of such a bank with competitors' money remains questionable.
If, as has recently been reported, a debate on the future of the South African mining industries is indeed to take place, it should rather discuss ways of stimulating the mining industry in order to maintain and indeed grow the industry as well as job opportunities.
The debate should not be on whether to nationalise mines, which in turn will cause the flight of capital and ever-increasing job losses, as recently evidenced by the withdrawal last Friday of Mitsubishi, a Canadian- registered mining company, from South African mining projects it wanted to invest in. The DA, therefore, opposes this budget. I thank you. [Applause.]
Speaker, for the last three years I have been rising to object to the Minerals and Energy Budget Vote, largely because of its lack of support for renewable energy technologies.
However, today I am happy to say that the ID will support the Vote, primarily because of the fact that Nersa has finally promulgated realistic feed-in tariffs for renewable energy producers.
The ID hopes that this is the first step towards truly mainstreaming renewable energy in South Africa. However, having given our support, we must caution the department against any stalling tactics by Eskom, which for instance has held up an independent power producer in Newcastle for two years by failing to finalise a power purchase agreement.
Eskom simply cannot be allowed to hold the progressive objectives of the feed-in tariff to ransom by employing such stalling actions. We hope that the Minister will give this issue her urgent attention. I thank you.
Hon Speaker, Cope is supporting this Budget Vote. However, we are concerned about the situation in terms of the supply and generation of electricity.
The Eskom debacle which continues to rumble on means that the limited resources put into this state-owned enterprise are being squandered.
The result for households and enterprises is an unacceptable situation - a continually interrupted supply of electricity, and now soon-to-be-imposed astronomical price hikes. There is no way we can improve the lives of our people with the current crisis being left unattended to. The government is failing to take adequate measures that will change this situation.
We are also concerned about the issue of illegal mining which continues to bedevil the industry. Cope wants to see stronger measures to curb this scourge which has negative effects, both socially as well as for the industry. Thank you.
Chairperson, the IFP supports this debate. However, we are very seriously concerned about the illegal mining. And we hope that the department does all in its power to find out who these people are who have a ready market for the illegal products coming out of the country, because unless you seek out those who are buying the products, you will not be able to stop the illegal mining.
The other issue is health and safety. We think much more must be done, and we must have more training of inspectors, then we will have a better situation in our mines.
Thank you, Speaker, the ANC supports the Budget Vote. We believe that this Budget Vote will enable us to create an environment for the rational exploration of our minerals and safe mining and that it will provide for the creation of jobs through the beneficiation strategy.
Also, we believe that this Budget Vote will enable us to provide access to electricity to all South Africans. As a result, I just want to quote for those who are confused about the debate that is emerging in the public arena around the issue of the nationalisation of mines.
I want to quote that in 1955, the people of this country, in Kliptown, converged at the real Congress of the People and proclaimed that: ''The people shall share in the country's wealth!''.
The question that we must be asking ourselves is: In what best way possible could the people of this country share in the country's wealth if we do not begin debates that enable us to make sure that people will benefit from the natural resources that are God-given in this country? Again, the people in this Kliptown congress proclaimed that: ''The mineral wealth beneath the soil shall be transferred to the ownership of the people as a whole''. [Applause.]
Today, we know that we have the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, transferring the mineral rights to the state. Therefore, those who are calling for nationalisation are perfectly correct to raise that debate, because it was the wish of the people of this country. [Time expired.][Applause.]
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance dissenting).
Vote No 29 - Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, formerly Provincial and Local Government - put.
Declarations of vote:
Hon Speaker, Cope supports the budget of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, but wishes to draw the attention of the Minister to the following. Cope is extremely concerned about the growing number of demonstrations throughout the country which, we believe, are fuelled by the promises made to these people of rapid delivery of services without properly planned-for delivery mechanisms. The poor staffing of and weak institutions at local government level further exacerbate the situation.
We further wish to caution the Minister on the proposed amendments to Schedule 4(b) and Schedule 5(b) of the Constitution. Hon Minister, we believe that if this is not approached with caution, it could lead to interference at local government level. In fact, it could erode the powers and functions of local authorities. We, however, support your budget.
Speaker, the IFP will support this Budget Vote, but let me just say that if we were dealing today with the previous leadership of this department we would not be supporting it. I say this simply because, in fact, its performance has been very poor over the past few years.
Let me give you some examples. There has been a lot of strategic planning, but very little hands-on interventions that make a difference on the ground. There has been very little support for municipalities from this department here and especially in the provinces. There has been little interaction with the provinces themselves and with the problems that provinces have.
Also, the department sometimes allows crises to happen in a manner that is completely unacceptable. I refer you, for example, to the Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act which is actually a very critical problem. It is quite inconceivable how this state of affairs could have come to be. I must say, in this connection, that even our current Minister cannot be absolved completely from this, because although he inherited the problem, it is only now that the interventions are being made.
What is different? Well, we have a new leadership of the department, which is committed, which seems capable. We certainly want to give them the benefit of the doubt. They have made promises to us. They have made promises that they are going to be practical. They have made promises that they are going to be hands-on, and they have made promises that they are going to deliver.
So, on that basis, we certainly intend to engage with them and give them our support. I must say that as the IFP it is not our function to harp on about failures; it is our function to become partners in solving problems. On that basis, we will support the Vote. Thank you.
Speaker, the ACDP welcomes the Minister's frank admission of the department's shortcomings. We agree with the Minister that it is a crying shame that after 15 years of democracy, parts of our country - such as those he pointed out, one of which was the Oliver Tambo District - still reflect the legacy of apartheid and the unacceptable face of underdevelopment, poverty and marginalisation.
It is alarming that the Minister went so far as to say that the extent of the breakdown in trust between communities and government was so grave that it was placing our democratic state at risk. We are grateful for his frankness in making that concession.
We also trust that the shortcomings identified will be addressed by both the department and Parliament in a more robust oversight manner, particularly in view of the shocking state of many of our municipalities. It is no exaggeration to say that many of our municipalities, where service delivery is crucial, are on the verge of collapse.
Lastly, the ACDP is concerned about the sudden resignation of the director- general, reportedly owing to a poor working relationship with the new Minister. If the director-general was paid out, we need to know how much and under what circumstances, as well as whether there is any truth to the allegation that she wanted to lay criminal charges for irregularities in the department.
How government manages the relationship between new Ministers and permanent government officials is key to the success of the new administration. We cannot afford to lose experienced Public Service managers owing to tension or a breakdown in relations, or even to purges. The ACDP will support this Budget Vote. I thank you.
Motsamaisi wa dipuisano, lebitsong la Palamente ya batho, ANC e tshehetsa Seabo sena sa ditjhelete ka botlalo ka ntle ho qeaqeyo. Lebitso la lefapha lena le letjha ke kgoeletso ho tswa mohoong wa rona ha re ne re ya dikgethong, wa hore tshebedisanommoho ke yona e tla tswala katamelo bophelong bo botle.
Jwale, re thabetse ha bana ba bohanyetsi ba hlalefela tshebedisanommoho ebile ba re ba tla re tshehetsa. E mong wa bona ebile mosebetsi ona oo a ntseng a o bala are o a etsahala ka tlasa makgotla a metse, ke mosebetsi wa matsoho a hae. Ha a ne a tshwanetse ho o lokisa o balehile. O ile mane moo a seng a le teng honajwale. [Ditsheho.]
Motsamaisi wa dipuisano, seabo sena sa ditjhelete se bohlokwa haholo hobane kgodumodumo e thefutse maemo a moruo a ditjhelete tseo re ka beng re se re e na le tsona, jwale di se di tla haella. Empa hobane kgomo ha enye bolokwe kaofela, ke tla kgefutsa mona ka hore re e tshehetsa ka botlalo. [Mahofi.] (Translation of Sesotho declaration of vote follows.)
[Mr C D KEKANA: Speaker, the ANC, on behalf of the Parliament of the people, fully supports the budget without any hesitation. The name of the new department is the result of what we were calling for when we were heading towards the elections, and reflects that if we work together we can create a better life for all.
Now we are happy that the opposition parties are being co-operative, saying that they will support us. One of their members, who mentioned the poor work of the local councils, is actually the person who was responsible for it. He ran away when he was supposed to make things right, and went to where he is now. [Laughter.]
Speaker, this budget is very important because the economy has been badly affected by the recession and as a result we are going to have a deficit. I would like to conclude by saying that we fully support it. [Applause.]]
Vote agreed to.
Vote No 30 - Public Enterprises - put.
Declarations of vote:
Speaker, die Demokratiese Alliansie het hom nog altyd daarvoor beywer om te voorkom dat openbare ondernemings in monopolie ontaard wat mededinging en lae pryse voorkom, en daarom is die DA van mening dat, wanneer hierdie openbare ondernemings nie effektief bestuur word nie, die ANC sy beleid moet verander sodat private produsente kan meeding met daardie openbare ondernemings. Daarom verwelkom ons dit ook dat die Nywerheidsontwikkelingskorporasie onlangs aan agt verskillende private ondernemers subsidies beskikbaar gestel het om die elektrisiteitsbedryf te betree. Ons waardeer dit ook dat Transnet nou onlangs in die week aangekondig het dat hy 20 000km spoorlyn beskikbaar gaan stel vir private tender.
Ons kan ongelukkig nie hierdie begroting van openbare ondernemings goedkeur of steun nie, want, ten spyte daarvan dat die agb minister Manuel verlede jaar tydens die aansuiweringsbegroting in die Parlement ges het dat openbare ondernemings 'n risiko vir die belastingbetaler word, het hy in Februarie net so omgeswaai en vir die Korrelbed Modulre Reaktor R1,7 miljard gegee en vir SAL R1,5 miljard.
Die Korrelbed Modulre Reaktor het al reeds 10 jaar lank navorsing gedoen en moet vir nog vyf jaar navorsing doen om uiteindelik teen 'n prys van R18 miljard net 160MW krag te lewer - wat 'n druppel in die emmer is. Duitsland het reeds hierdie eksperiment van die tafel af gevee.
Agb minister Manuel het ook R1,5 miljard vir SAL gegee om sekere afleweringskostes van 15 Airbus vliegtuie te kanselleer wat vroegtydig afgelewer is maar nou nie meer benodig word nie. Dit is maar net weereens 'n teken van hoe die belastingbetaler se geld gemors word deur sekere openbare ondernemings en dat die staat oneffektief is om hierdie ondernemings effektief te bedryf, daarom kan die DA nie hierdie begroting steun nie. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans declaration of vote follows.)
[Dr S M Van Dyk: Speaker, the Democratic Alliance has always endeavoured to prevent public enterprises from degenerating into monopolies that hinder competition and lower prices, which is why the DA is of the opinion that, when these public enterprises are not being managed effectively, the ANC ought to change its policy to allow private producers to compete with those public enterprises. That is why we also welcome the Industrial Development Corporation having recently made subsidies available to eight different private ventures to enter the electricity industry. We also welcome Transnet's announcement earlier this week that 20 000km of railway line will be made available for private tender.
Unfortunately we cannot agree with or support this budget for Public Enterprises because, despite the fact that during last year's adjustment appropriation in Parliament the hon Minister Manuel said that public enterprises are becoming a risk to the taxpayer, he turned around just like that in February and gave R1,7 billion to the pebble bed modular reactor, PBMR, and R1,5 billion to SAA.
The pebble bed modular reactor has already been conducting research for the past 10 years and will have to do research for another five years before it will eventually be able to deliver a mere 160MW - just a drop in the ocean - for the price of R18 billion. Germany has already abandoned this experiment.
Hon Minister Manuel also gave R1,5 billion to SAA in order to cancel certain delivery charges for 15 Airbus aeroplanes that were delivered early and are now no longer needed. This is just another indication of how certain public enterprises are wasting the taxpayer's money and how inefficient the state is at managing these enterprises effectively, which is why the DA cannot support this budget. Thank you.]
Speaker, the policy of holding unnecessary assets is so imbedded in the department that, in spite of our full confidence in the new Minister, the IFP will oppose the budget.
We urge the department to embark on the privatisation of nonperforming state enterprises, as well as those that serve no compelling public function.
The current global depression is reducing our tax revenues, while at the same time increasing the need for social spending, with an envisaged shortfall of R80 billion. It is envisaged that this shortfall will be made up with taxes forced onto our people with compounded interest in the form of increased public debt. We should make up this shortfall by considering selling some public enterprises.
There is no reason to continue to own, for instance, enterprises such as SAA and SA Express. In combination, they appear ripe to be sold, and should, preferably, not receive the requested R1,6 billion bailout. For 10 years Denel has been a major liability to taxpayers. This year they are approaching the Treasury for an additional R1,7 billion bailout. Domestically and internationally its weapons are not being satisfactorily sold.
In conclusion, we call upon the Department of Public Enterprises to become the incubator of enterprises still ahead of the market, but critical to our industrious future, such as biotechnology and nanotechnology research and to break up Transnet, devolving port infrastructure to the provinces and municipalities concerned, as is done in the rest of the world. I thank you.
Speaker, the ID is forced to once again vote against the Public Enterprises Budget Vote. This is in no way to besmirch the new Minister, but rather a protest vote against the continued squandering of valuable taxpayers' money on certain nonperforming state-owned enterprises, such as the PBMR. In this new era of constrained government spending, the ID would far rather see this money being directed to urgent priorities, such as the extension of the child support grant and our failing public health care system.
The ID also maintains that the new built programme of Eskom must be put up for review, so as to ensure that we achieve maximum social benefit for the R1,3 trillion they intend to spend over the next 25 years. I thank you.
Speaker, we, as the ANC, endorse the budget of the department, because the department continues to achieve everything that is set out for it to do. The performance of this department demonstrates the ability to manage the budget effectively.
The department has received unqualified audits over a period of time, and they have expanded their budget within National Treasury norms. The programmes that this budget will support are aligned with the National Programme of Action. Supporting this budget will ensure that the Department of Public Enterprises is well positioned to deliver on its mandate of enhancing the performance of state-owned enterprises, as well as monitoring their performance in order to improve economic and social outcomes. These outcomes must impact on citizens, particularly, and will also impact on the economy in general.
Lastly, the infrastructure investment programmes, which are, amongst other things, for Transnet, Eskom and Infraco, will ensure that we acquire the necessary competence and capability for further economic growth, and will further ensure that we acquire a broader country skills base. I thank you. [Applause.]
Vote agreed to (Inkatha Freedom Party, Democratic Alliance and Independent Democrats dissenting).
Vote No 31 - Science and Technology - put and agreed to.
Vote No 32 - Trade and Industry - put.
Declaration of vote:
Chairperson, firstly, we want to record the promotion of the small, medium and micro enterprises, SMMEs, in this department; secondly, with regard to the negotiations with small and informal settlements, we are concerned about the high-handedness of the ethekwini Municipality with regard to the informal settlement at ethekwini; and thirdly, this is the department charged to create jobs for the people who are unemployed. Therefore, it has to look at the informal sectors and ensure that the small business is able to grow. That is why we are supporting this Budget. Thank you.
Vote agreed to.
Vote No 33 - Transport - put.
Declarations of vote:
Hon Speaker, the hon Minister of Transport and his deputy have had to inherit from their predecessors an underfunded, underskilled and understaffed department. It has approximately 300 posts with unfunded mandates on its proposed organogram, and on the present organogram, a 9% vacancy rate, including a large number of senior posts where people are in acting capacities.
In real terms, a vacancy rate of more than 40% exists if the department realistically wants to effectively implement its progress. The department's budget has grown exponentially over the past five years and has moved from three administration branches to nine. If one breaks down the budget allocations of the department over the last five years, it is apparent that much of their budget is comprised of injections of funding into projects like the Gautrain, R25 billion and still growing; the Road Accident Fund bailout, R6 billion and it will be growing again this year; and the 2010 World Cup initiatives for public transport, road and rail infrastructure, which amounts to over R20 billion.
Once these projects have been implemented post 2010, the department resorts to its routine allocations of which only toll roads, Public Transport Infrastructure and Systems, PTIS, and bus subsidies show any increases to be at the inflation rate.
The department requested a budget of R31 billion for 2008-09 and was only allocated R24,5 billion, yet for the last five years bus subsidy levels have not been sufficient. The Road Accident Fund annually runs out of money to pay its claimants. Road maintenance and construction costs increase in line with fuel prices and a current loan backlog of R126 billion exists nationally and provincially.
Road commuter services are severely undercapitalised, the sum for funding is inadequate, taxi recapitalisation at current funding rates will take over 10 years to finalise, while critical challenges exist in funding such programmes as the revitalisation of the transport ... [Time expired.]
Hon Speaker, Cope supports the budget. We nevertheless wish to underscore the following concerns: that owing to the Auditor-General's report, the Minister should begin to deal firmly with corruption, particularly in road construction and the Road Accident Fund; that the department begins to live up to its own challenge that it has just set for itself as it relates to the taxi recapitalisation annual targets.
It is disconcerting that a lot of money is put into subsidising Metrorail, yet there is no profound improvement of services and safety except for the renovation of coaches. I thank you. [Applause.]
Speaker, this is one of the Budget Votes that was supported by all political parties during the Budget debate. There were challenges in the department and the department has shown a great improvement, especially in the concerns that we had of a high vacancy rate, which has greatly improved.
There is also a significant improvement in all airports in all cities and because of that we are sure that the department will reach its target for 2010. One of the things that we were concerned about - we want to congratulate this department on this - was the successful launch of Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences, AARTO, in Gauteng. Motorists are aware that if they do not comply with road regulations they might lose their licence. The ANC supports the Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance dissenting).
Vote No 34 - Water Affairs and Forestry - put.
Declarations of vote:
Mr Speaker, the DA supports the provision of water and sanitation to more than a million households over the last five years. The work of increasing access to water will no doubt continue as it is dictated by the Constitution. There are, however, serious concerns in the water management sector, all of which are known to the Department of Water Affairs. The problem is that the budget does not recognise the urgency of these problems.
While the water provision sector is made up of several role-players including municipalities, water boards and the national department itself, there is a lack of leadership from the national department in seeking solutions, particularly when it comes to water quality. Of the 145 water services authorities assessed, only 22 achieved Blue Drop status, the highest and most appropriate measurement for clean water.
The Blue Drop report says that with regard to many municipalities urgent attention is required. This is unsurprising when one considers that the vast majority of municipalities only have one or no water engineer in their employ. Research by Dr Heidi Snyman in 2006, revealed that 30% of the country's sewerage treatment plants required urgent attention, while a further 66% of plants need intervention in the short to medium term.
With regard to dams, 160 of those owned by the state do not meet safety standards; regrettably this figure has not changed over the last three years. Furthermore, several water boards are, according to the Auditor- General's recent reports, not going concerns and need intervention from the department.
Lastly, the budget does not address the rapidly growing problem of acid mine drainage that is polluting water sources in Gauteng and the increasing incidence of algae toxins that are polluting bulk water storage dams in the same province. The warning signs are evident, the potential for localised water crises is high. The DA will not support this budget. Thank you.
Mr Speaker, the ACDP will support this Budget Vote. We believe that there will be much turning on of the waterworks today when the final results of today's declarations are given! It is interesting to note that the parties made the following declarations - and of course, this is subject to internal audit in the ACDP: the UDM 2, FF+ 4, ID 2, Cope 10, DA 15, ACDP 16, IFP 18 and the ANC is the winner with 24. When the ACDP asks for extra time, please give it more time.
Chairperson, yes, we do agree that there are challenges faced by the department, but that does not warrant us not supporting Budget Vote No 34. The ANC believes that the realignment of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry to Water and Environmental Affairs will make the oversight responsibility of the portfolio committee and the work of the department easier.
Indeed, working together with the DA, we will try our best to assist those ailing water boards. The President, in his state of the nation address, indicated that the ANC will never rest until every community has access to clean water, including the rural communities.
Indeed, we, the ANC will never rest as long as people in the Eastern Cape and other provinces travel for more than 10km to fetch water. The ANC will never rest as long as women and children in rural areas die from malaria because of no access to clean water; and the ANC will never rest as long as other sectors of society want to monopolise water. The ANC supports this Budget Vote.
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance dissenting).
Vote No 35 - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries - put and agreed to.
Vote No 36 - Basic Education - put and agreed to.
Vote No 37 - Economic Development - put and agreed to.
Vote No 38 - Energy - put and agreed to.
Vote No 39 - Environmental Affairs - put and agreed to.
Vote No 40 - Higher Education and Training - put and agreed to.
Vote No 41 - Mineral Resources - put and agreed to.
Vote No 42 - Tourism - put and agreed to.
Vote No 43 - Water Affairs - put and agreed to.
Vote No 44 - Women, Children and People with Disabilities - put and agreed to.
Schedule, as amended, put and agreed to.