Speaker, I want speak on the same topic.
Wat 'n doodgewone staking oor salarisse behoort te wees, is besig om in 'n skande vir alle Suid-Afrikaners te ontwikkel. Geen salarisdispuut regverdig die dood van mense en vernietiging van jong matrikulante se loopbane nie. Die dood van weerlose siekes en onskuldige babas as gevolg van die Staatsdiens-staking is die ergste vorm van selfsugtigheid. Dit getuig van uiters onprofessionele gedrag van die Suid-Afrikaanse gesondheidswerkers.
Die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing wat hierdie tipe voorvalle duld, is 'n samelewing in krisis met baie ernstige morele en dissiplinre probleme. Uit die radikale uitsprake van Cosatu-leiers wil dit meer voorkom asof daar 'n verskuilde agenda agter die staking is. Cosatu-leiers het reeds hul frustrasie teenoor President Zuma uitgespreek omdat hy nie hul beleidsrigtings volg nie. Onskuldige staatsdienswerkers word nou ingespan om die magstryd tussen Cosatu en die ANC-leiers op hierdie wyse te probeer besleg. Dit is tragies dat die slagoffers van hierdie stryd tans onskuldige babas, weerlose siekes en jeugdige skoolleerlinge is.
Die VF Plus eis dat die verskuilde agendas opsygeskuif word en dat 'n werkbare oplossing so vinnig moontlik gevind word, in belang van almal in Suid-Afrika. Waar stakings gepaard gaan met intimidasie, ontwrigting en saakbeskadiging, is dit geheel en al onaanvaarbaar. Dis ook ons taak om toe te sien dat skole waar onderrig voortgaan, nie ontwrig word nie. Diegene wat hulle aan hierdie onwettige optredes skuldig maak, moet summier vervolg word. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[What should have been an ordinary strike about salaries is turning into a disgrace to all South Africans. No salary dispute justifies the death of people and destroying the careers of young matriculants. The death of vulnerable sick people and innocent babies as a result of the Public Service strike is the worst form of selfishness. This attests to extreme unprofessional behaviour by South African health workers.
The South African society which tolerates these kinds of incidents, is a society in crisis with very serious moral and disciplinary problems. From the radical statements made by Cosatu leaders, it appears as if there is a hidden agenda behind the strike. Cosatu leaders have already voiced their frustrations to President Zuma because he is not adhering to their policies.
Innocent public servants are now being used as a means to solve the power struggle between the leaders of Cosatu and the ANC. It is tragic that the victims of this struggle are currently innocent babies, vulnerable sick people and school learners.
The FF Plus demands that the hidden agendas are pushed aside and that a workable solution be found in the interests of all South Africans as soon as possible. Strikes accompanied by intimidation, disruption and damage to property are totally unacceptable. It is also our duty to ensure that schools where teaching is still taking place are not disrupted. Those who are guilty of such unlawful behaviour should be summarily prosecuted. Thank you.]