Deputy Speaker, Metrorail has begun training about 11 000 police officers across the country to use new technology to track down vandals who steal cables from Metrorail.
Rail cable theft has resulted not only in losses of millions of rands but also in inconvenience and a loss of earnings for commuters using rail transport. The bigger effect of this is a negative impact on the economy. Furthermore, the innovative technology, which is widely used in the investigation, prosecution and successful conviction of car thieves, will result in faster investigations, quicker prosecutions and higher conviction rates of rail cable thieves. This innovative technology will entail tagging assets with microscopic, unique identification dots, which will make the tracking of assets much easier. These dots are not visible to the naked eye. These identification dots are detectable under ultraviolet rays and are impossible to remove from items that are protected by it.
Metrorail Cape Town has begun using this technology, which, they believe, will not only reduce opportunities to commit such crimes but also reduce the market for stolen goods.
Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: I want to point out that this is the time for statements to which Ministers are supposed to respond, and from where I sit I observe only two Deputy Ministers, maybe three, and not a single Minister. Some are hiding, but there is not a single Minister present. I enquire whether this is correct.
Hon member, I noted that from the Table as well, and I note your concern. We have one Minister and two Deputy Ministers in the House. Indeed, the presence of members of the executive during member statements, even if they are not obliged to give responses, does assist members to get responses on the issues they raise. Members will be aware that the Speaker has previously raised this matter with the Leader of Government Business. I will raise the matter with the Speaker again so that the House is assisted in carrying out its constitutional functions. For now, I rule that member statements proceed as scheduled. We note that. The DA member may continue. Thank you.