Hon Speaker, it is now almost two years since the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises and the National Assembly adopted a decision that Transnet and Treasury should rectify the underfunding of two Transnet pension funds and address the continued impoverishment of the Transnet pensioners who are members of those funds.
What we have seen unfolding since then is one of the worse atrocities committed by this government since its denial of proper Aids treatment to HIV-positive people during the Mbeki regime. Neither Transnet nor Treasury has bothered to implement the decisions of Parliament. There is no change in the lives of the Transnet pensioners and one can only shake one's head in disbelief in the face of the disrespect shown towards Parliament.
This dereliction of duty is nothing but a slow, drawn-out genocide of the elderly pensioners who are frail and cannot afford proper housing, food or medical care - for even Transmed is offering increasingly inferior benefits. The best part is that after all the pensioners have passed on Transnet will inherit what is left of the funds. This is clearly a win-win situation for Transnet and Treasury. Not only will their failure to act hasten the demise of the pensioners, but they will be rewarded for their heartlessness.
Daarom gaan die VF Plus voort met die hofaksie teen Transnet en die fondse en sal ons ons bes doen om geregtigheid te laat sevier. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Consequently the FF Plus will proceed with court action against Transnet and the pension funds and we will do our utmost to see justice prevail.]