I now call the hon chairperson of the committee.
Mr Speaker, colleagues, guests in the gallery - there are three of them - thank you for giving me this time. Once again, our ANC-led activist Parliament undertook an oversight visit to a fishing community of the West Coast. The fishing communities, like farmworkers, work on a seasonal basis. At most, they work for four months, without any benefits like the UIF - Unemployment Insurance Fund - leave, pension or medical aid.
Besides this, these communities are prone to abuse of all sorts, such as alcohol, unwanted pregnancies, drugs, amongst other things. In addition to exploitative worker-owner relations - with the big industry players being Sea Harvest and Oceana, which we visited - these fisherfolks are subjected to co-option into companies that bid for applications of fishing rights, only to establish that they become fronts in the equation of such ownerships.
A case in point is a company called Kalahari Fisheries that has four white and six black owners, but only on paper. In practice, only the four white owners run and benefit from the fishing rights that this company has received from our own government. Recently, all the owners, including those that do not benefit, received correspondence from the SA Revenue Service indicating a collective debt of R600 000 to the receiver. Also, the company in question has been submitting tax clearance certificates to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the validity of which Sars is questioning.
We look forward to engaging with these communities on an ongoing basis. Among other critical areas of importance ...
Mr Speaker, on a point of order: I gather from my members that we did not oppose this report. But what the hon member is doing is something quite outside the report and has nothing to do with the report whatsoever. It is a speech filled with political rhetoric, which has nothing to do with the report, and, certainly, the sentiments of which we do not support. [Interjections.]
In fact, what he is doing is misusing the report to come up with a political speech which has nothing to do with the report at hand. [Interjections.]
Hon member, please just stick to the report. [Interjections.] Order, hon members!
Mr Speaker, the context talks more to one of the companies that we visited and, also, the interaction that we had with the communities. Among other things, we were confronted with fronting; that is what we are talking about.
A process has ensued in relation to fronting which, specifically, relates to this one particular company that continues to benefit out of those that have not benefited and continue not to benefit. The conclusion I am making is that the diversification of these local economic activities of the West Coast can only happen through partnerships with government, the private sector, labour and communities; all in the belief that, once again, together we indeed can do more.
Mr Speaker, on a point of order: The individuals he is referring to are level 3 BEEs. This has nothing to do with fronting whatsoever. He is misinterpreting the report completely ... [Interjections.] ... and I have to object.
I table the oversight report as published in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports, ATC, of 1 February. Thank you, Mr Speaker. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Hon Speaker, I move:
That the Report be adopted.
Are there any objections?
Yes, Mr Speaker. We do raise our objection. We did approve the report at the committee stage. However, I must be honest, as a result of that interpretation, we have to raise our objection because that which was said is not what is in the report. And, if that is his interpretation - the hon member's interpretation - we cannot accept this report.
I now put the question. Those in favour will say "Aye".
HON MEMBERS: Aye.
And those against will say "No".
HON MEMBERS: No.
I think the "Ayes" have it. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker, would you note our objection, Sir.
Indeed, your objection will be noted.
Mr Speaker, on a point of order, if I may say so: following on my Chief Whip's point of view. Mr Speaker, what we have had here today is a grave injustice to the parliamentary process. As a political party we have to say to you, sir, that if we get biased reports like that in the future, we are going to have to insist that a whole new process of considering reports and accepting reports is opened in this House. And I would urge, sir, that the ANC accepts that this should not happen again. Thank you.
We have noted your objection and I'm sure the Chief Whip of the Majority Party has been listening and has heard you.
Motion agreed to (Democratic Alliance dissenting).
Report accordingly adopted.