Hon Speaker, last week the country watched with anticipation the so-called economic freedom march. Cope is happy that the march was peaceful and acknowledges that the issues raised by the marchers are legitimate and need to be addressed as a challenge to the country.
The only problem is that some of the organisers of the march are disingenuous and dishonest. Some of the issues that lead to a lack of service delivery can be directly linked to their tenderpreneurship activities. They are awarded tenders irregularly, they deliver shabby construction work, and government is then forced to appoint other service providers to fix the mess made by these peacetime freedom fighters. This doubles the cost of service and projects.
Cope is not surprised by these corrupt activities, since this is merely the implementation of one of the Polokwane resolutions written with invisible ink. [Interjections.] For those members who have forgotten, the resolution is called "institutionalising corruption".
Since the Zuma administration took over governance, institutionalised corruption has become the norm. This is not mere politicking. [Interjections.] Evidence of corruption in all spheres of government has been well documented by different institutions in the country.
It is a well-known fact that in the Free State, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, corruption is the number one Batho Pele principle. In these provinces, the more corrupt you are, the higher you rise in both the ruling party and administration.
In the Northern Cape, the pioneers of corruption are proving to be incorrigible. Despite some arrests, they continue with their corrupt activities as if they are competing for an award with their neighbouring province, the Free State.
Cope calls upon the President and the ANC to put their money where their mouth is. [Time expired.] [Applause.]