The DA has been the subject of criticism from the ANC, and I must say that some members are, in fact, sitting here in this Parliament. Hon Marius Fransman and the former Premier of the Western Cape, hon Ebrahim Rasool, have been accusing the DA of firing members of the Western Cape government unjustly. The DA would like to strongly refute these claims. It is untrue, and it is complete nonsense. [Interjections.]
The terminations of employment were based on the provincial government of the Western Cape receiving the final outcome of an investigation by Herold Gie attorneys, regarding the role played by the provincial government officials in the unlawful establishment of the Erasmus Commission of Inquiry by former Premier Ebrahim Rasool against the City of Cape Town. This is what we are trying to do here. We have provided well-documented proof to that effect.
The institution of this investigation was the result of a consultation with legal services between the Premier of the Western Cape and the office that provided that information. Now, I want to say that, based on the findings of the recommendations on the investigation, the provincial administration has reached a settlement with some officials, and one of them is Shanaaz Majiet, who has voluntarlly left government without being pushed by the government. Thank you very much. [Interjections.] [Time expired.]
Speaker, on a point of order: The statement that the hon member has just made reflects on two members of this House, and the Rules state that this requires a substantive motion. I ask you to rule on the matter, please.
The point of order is correct.
Speaker, I don't believe that it reflects on the members of this House as they are. It reflects on what they were before they came to this House. [Interjections.] The other important point is that the statement itself refers to matters as they stand at the present time and not to things that are about to happen in the future. I really do believe, sir, that Mr Frolick is not correct in his assumption.
Speaker, there is no such report in front of the House that the hon member is referring to, and in the statement of the hon member no distinction was drawn or reference was made to the previous lives of those members before they came to Parliament.
The point of order is sustained.
Speaker, let me just rephrase this. [Interjections.] What I said is that the former Premier of the Western Cape ...
Hon member, withdraw the remarks.
I withdraw. Thank you.