Speaker, I just want to agree with hon Cronin that, in fact, Premier Zille has abused millions of rands of public and taxpayers' funds on her personal campaign to boost her image and that of the DA. I also want ...
Mr Speaker, on a point of order: There have been occasions in the past when the DA has, for example, used statement time as an opportunity to have more than one statement on the same subject, and we have been ruled out of order.
Now, we are having the ANC's Minister standing up and repeating virtually what has been said already. We have already had this input on this particular statement. [Interjections.] I call upon you, sir, to indicate that it is not proper.
Order, hon members! Order! Hon Minister Xingwana, you cannot reflect on the integrity of a Premier in this House, so I would like you to withdraw that comment. You cannot reflect on their integrity. Order, hon members!
Speaker, I don't know if it was about the integrity, but I just wanted to highlight the fact that funds were not used properly. [Interjections.]
Mr Speaker ...
Hon members, order! Hon Minister, please withdraw.
I withdraw, Speaker, but taxpayers' funds were not used properly. I also want ... [Interjections.]
Mr Speaker, on a point of order ...
Take your seat, hon Minister.
Mr Speaker, I have drawn your attention to the fact that this matter has been responded to by the Minister already today. Is it proper that another Minister stands up and talks about the same point? We, as a political party, cannot do that, sir. Why should the Ministers be able to have two opportunities on the same matter?
Mr Speaker, on a point of order: When you've made a ruling in the House that a member should withdraw his or her statement, is it acceptable to withdraw the statement and then qualify the withdrawal?
The comments were withdrawn, hon member. Hon members, order! You may continue, hon Minister. We cannot prescribe the response of the Minister, except when it is out of order.
Thank you, Speaker. The president of the Youth League must be commended for actually highlighting the predicament of the learners in that school to the extent that he was able to expose their situation, and they were able to get sponsorships for those poor learners. I think we should commend him for doing that. [Applause.] Lastly, I want to say to the deputy president of the Congress of South African Students, Cosas - of Cope, sorry. [Laughter.] Well, I get confused. I no longer know who is president or deputy president! [Interjections.] I don't know who the court has voted for. [Interjections.] I wanted to say to the president or deputy president that ...
Mr Speaker, on a point of order ...
Hon Minister, take your seat. There is a point of order.
Mr Speaker, I would like you to rule on the following: I am referring to Rule 105, and thereafter to responses by Ministers. The Rule states that -
At the conclusion of statements by members, a Minister present may be given an opportunity to respond, for not more than two minutes, to any statement directed to that Minister or made in respect of that Minister's portfolio.
With respect, Speaker, I do not see any reference to Cosas in the portfolio of the Minister of Arts and Culture. Thank you. [Applause.]
Speaker, I would draw the member's attention ... [Interjections.]
Order!
... draw the member's attention again to Rule 105 and indicate that there is no qualification. A member may make a statement on any matter. There aren't statements directed at particular portfolios, so there is a misalignment. Perhaps the hon member should lead a process of changing the Rules. The Minister can respond to any of the statements. [Applause.]
Speaker, just in response to that, I beg to differ.
Hon member, I don't want a debate on this point.
I would like to have your ruling on it, sir.
I do not want a debate on this point. I would like the hon Minister to continue and conclude. [Interjections.] Order, hon members!
Speaker, I just wanted to commend the Minister of Basic Education for standing firmly on this issue.
Hon member, there is another point of order.
Speaker, may I just suggest that you consider the point raised by hon Kilian and indicate on another day what your ruling is.
Hon member, please take your seat. I will look at the Hansard and come back to that point.
I would just like to advise the deputy president of Cope that Cosas are juniors and therefore I don't see why the Minister of Basic Education should not get juniors to deal with them, because I don't understand why the Minister should send seniors, as he was saying, to meet with Cosas. Thank you, Speaker. [Applause.]