Mnr die Voorsitter, ek sal my verklaring in Afrikaans maak, vir die belangstelling van die Adjunkpresident.
Twee dae gelede bring die vakbond Solidariteit 30 000 briewe in kruiwaens Parlement toe. Die briefskrywers is slagoffers van misdaad wie se geliefdes gemartel, verkrag of vermoor is.
Die Presidensie belowe om hierdie briewe te ontvang. By die Parlement aangekom, moet hulle die briewe eers by die besoekerssentrum aflewer. Na 'n lang wag en talle oproepe, hoor hulle die briewe moet liewer Tuynhuys toe gaan. Na nog 'n ruk, stuur personeel die Solidariteitslede met hul 30 000 briewe weer terug, letterlik van bakboord na stuurboord.
Na een en 'n half uur was dit duidelik: die Presidensie weier om die briewe te ontvang.
Hierdie skandelike ongevoeligheid vir kiesers gebeur minder as 'n week nadat die President Suid-Afrikaners beloof het hy en sy regering gee om vir hulle.
Dit is hoekom Suid-Afrikaners nie meer een van die President se beloftes glo nie. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans member's statement follows.)
[Ms A M DREYER (DA): Mr Chairperson, I will be delivering my statement in Afrikaans, for the attention of the Deputy President.
Two days ago, the trade union Solidarity brought 30 000 letters in wheelbarrows to Parliament. The letter writers are all victims of crime whose loved ones were tortured, raped or murdered.
The Presidency officials had promised that they would take delivery of these letters. When they first arrived at Parliament they had to present the letters at the visitors' centre. After a long wait and countless phone calls, they were informed that the letters should rather be taken to Tuynhuys. Subsequently, Solidarity members and their 30 000 letters were sent back, literally from pillar to post.
After an additional waiting period of one and a half hours, it became clear: the Presidency was refusing to accept of the letters.
This appalling insensitivity toward voters happened less than a week after the President had promised South Africans that he and his government care about them.
That is why South Africans no longer believe any of the promises made by the President. [Applause.]]