Madam Deputy Speaker, I think it is absolutely important that when we wish to present statements to the House, we don't in any way impute bad faith to any individual who sits in this House or any statement made by a member of the executive or of this House.
The President stated very clearly in his reply last week that the intention of government is to review decisions that are germane to the executive and its exercise of power in terms of national and other legislation that have been the subjects of rulings by the Constitutional Court. I did not hear him refer to reviewing the powers of the Constitutional Court in his reply. He referred to decisions and an assessment of government in terms of how those decisions have impacted on policy and what lessons we, as the executive, must derive from that review.
This is, absolutely correctly, to be done in order to improve our own functioning as the executive, as well as to understand how to ensure that the policies we are responsible for are absolutely in line with what is mandated in the Constitution. So, I don't know what all this fuss is about. I really think that members are looking for evil where none exists. We are acting well within what the executive should do and I believe that it is a responsible step that is being taken by government.
I do not have any mandate to reply for the Chief Whips. Perhaps when the Chief Whips meet, they could talk to each other about how they read interviews and assess the meaning of particular interviews. Our Constitution is the document of this institution. We are responsible for ensuring that we act with regard to it. We swear oaths to ensure that it is implemented and that we uphold it. And I would think that the Chief Whip, having been so sworn, would recognise that it is indeed his obligation to act in the way he did when he stood before all of us in this House.
Finally, may I say that we have taken action, hon Zikalala, in respect of acid mine drainage. We've had an intergovernmental committee and funds have been set aside. We have also appointed, through the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, persons and companies that will assist us with the spillages and other impacts of acid mine drainage.
I will ask my hon colleague, Mrs Molewa, to approach the appropriate committee and ensure that her report is tabled, but action has been taken. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]