Hon Chairman, on behalf of Cope, I would like to congratulate the Minister of Finance on his commitment and strong determination to fight and overcome corruption.
On 25 October 2009, the Sunday Times disclosed that a total of R100 million of Agricultural Black Economic Empowerment Fund money meant for poor farmers had been used to bankroll the lavish lifestyles of some individuals to buy homes and luxury cars.
This deplorable and despicable action, which has been confirmed by the CEO of the Land Bank, must rank as one of the most heartless, shameless and perfidious acts ever perpetrated against the poor. It is not to be countenanced or tolerated.
There is clearly a challenge for all of us in South Africa to live prudently. A culture is growing fast in terms of which more people are aspiring to having things beyond their means. And to make up for the shortfall which arises from such extravagance, they dip into public funds. This is unacceptable.
The government must act decisively and subject all such people to the full rigour of the law. Otherwise, the blemish on the government will grow daily. Specifically, this honourable House must be told what investigations are in place to determine the veracity of these claims by the Sunday Times.