Hon Speaker, Firstly let me clarify that I am not the President of the African Union Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa. The initiative is led by the African Union Commission with the African Development Bank as the implementing agency. Its purpose is to develop a vision and strategic framework for the development of regional and continental infrastructure.
In January 2011 the heads of state of the African Union endorsed key priority projects and their respective champions, as identified by the New Partnership for Africa's Development High-Level Sub-Committee on Infrastructure.
In this regard, Algeria is responsible for the Missing Links of the Trans- Sahara Highway and Optical Fibre projects along the same alignment; the Republic of Congo for the Kinshasa-Brazzaville Road- Rail Bridge project; Egypt for the Water Management, River and Rail Transport Infrastructure project; Nigeria for the Nigeria-Algeria Gas Pipeline project, and Rwanda for the Information and Communications Technology, ICT, Broadband and linking the fibre optic network into neighbouring states.
Senegal is responsible for the Dakar-Ndjamena-Djibouti Road and Rail project. South Africa has been given the task of managing the North-South Corridor Road and Rail project. The Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative, which I therefore lead, covers broadly the following sectors: transport, energy, information and communication technology, water and sanitation, as well as agriculture. As such, the question of maritime safety is not within my mandate. However, I am aware that the African Union has a long-term focus on maritime security as part of its comprehensive 2050 Africa's Integrated Maritime Strategy.
As a member of the AU, we have been actively engaged with this strategy through the Minister for International Relations and Co-operation, as well as the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. The 2050 Africa's Integrated Maritime Strategy remains in draft form and the African Union Commission has embarked on a consultation process with member states on the finalisation of its content.
For our part, the South African Navy and the South African Maritime Authority played an active role in providing the initial input to the document. The Department of International Relations and Co-operation is consulting and co-ordinating with all relevant departments whose portfolios would be affected.
Given that Africa's Integrated Maritime Strategy remains a draft which has yet to undergo further consultation by the AU Commission, no implementation plans have been deemed necessary at this stage. We regard the strategy as a positive development that South Africa should support, given that it also talks to the protection and security of South Africa's own maritime domain. I thank you. [Applause.]
Through you, Speaker: thank you, Mr President, for accommodating my question, even though it is not in the context that I expected that it should be. The African Union's deadline for securing the continent's coastal waters by 2050, of course, seems an incredibly long time. I think I will be 97 by then, I am not sure about you. Knowing that piracy in African waters is rife, I am particularly grateful that you agreed to answer this question.
We know that while piracy remains lucrative, it is going to remain the problem that it is. How much of a priority is this matter to you particularly, and for South Africa, with piracy reported to have reached Namibia, Mauritius, Seychelles and Mozambique? It could be in South African waters anytime soon, if not already.
We have a vast and vulnerable coastline. Sea-blindness is said to be our biggest threat. What are we doing locally, to address this threat? For example, are we able to ensure that a well-trained and equipped Defence Force regularly patrols South African and Mozambican waters? Thank you.
Hon Speaker, I have given the answer with regard to the AU. If I may take the latter part of the question with regard to Southern Africa, certainly, the question of piracy is a major problem that is facing our waters. The Southern African Development Community, SADC, is planning, co-ordinating and making efforts to meet the situation and developing its military capacity. In fact, there is direct co-ordination between us, Mozambique and Tanzania to address this issue. There is a bigger picture of the entire SADC. The matter is under active consideration and planning. Thank you. [Applause.]
Through you, Speaker: thank you, Mr President. Can you please inform the House whether you will ensure that the final integrated maritime strategy will also contribute to supporting government strategies for economic and social development; and that the envisaged strategy will not negatively impact upon trade in the waters of SADC countries and those bordering the Indian Ocean? I thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Speaker, definitely, the efforts that I am talking about take into account the economic activities that happen in our waters. In fact, there is a discussion within our country as to how we utilise this resource - our waters - which we have not exploited sufficiently. That then goes with the question of: If that is the case, what are the plans for security?
I am sure that in due course we will be able to brief the country about what we are trying to do. Given the economic potential, this is an important area that we cannot leave unattended. Precisely because of the economic potential, the question of its security becomes important. Therefore, that kind of debate is going to come. Perhaps even this House will benefit from that discussion. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker and Mr President, as part of Africa's Integrated Maritime Strategy, our understanding is that charity begins at home. Currently in our country we are confronted with a challenge of a marine vessel, Africana, which is supposed to collect scientific data. This vessel has not been sailing for quite some time.
We are also concerned about the state of Ellen Kuzwayo, one of our vessels, which was also supposed to be patrolling our coastal waters, but is not doing so. To me, today, South Africa looks like a country without borders. Our marine waters are vulnerable to poachers because you and your government, within the broader African strategy, are doing nothing about making sure that the Africana and the Ellen Kuzwayo are sailing.
Mr President, you remind me of the former spin-doctor for Saddam Hussein, who said that the country was stable when it was burning and being attacked with bombs. Today South Africa's waters and streets are burning ... [Time expired.]
Hon Speaker, the member said there is fire in the sea. [Laughter.] [Applause.] That is very serious. I haven't seen flames there. [Laughter.] Hon Speaker, it is an exaggeration. Our sea and ships are active. They are, actually, regularly shown on TV. We have even seen the training of young people. I am sure the hon member missed all of this. It is not true that nothing is happening. Charity has begun at home. Thank you. [Applause.]
Speaker, Mr President, I would like to highlight something - illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing is estimated to cost sub- Saharan Africa approximately one billion dollars a year.
As a result of the dangers of sailing through the Gulf of Aden waterway, more and more ships are sailing through South African waters, past the point of Africa, en route to Europe. This makes South Africa extremely susceptible to organised crime and exploitation of our environmental resources. How does the President plan to deal with these matters and threats? Thank you.
Hon Speaker, this is the point I've just made-that the matter is collectively being discussed by SADC, because it cannot be the challenge of one country alone. We are discussing the matter of how to capacitate our own countries, so that we are able to deal with the threat that is coming, particularly piracy which has been threatening the Indian Ocean and is beginning in the Atlantic Ocean. That led to our urgent discussion on that matter, and we need to take action. The matter is being considered by these countries. We believe that it is SADC that must form a collective system to be able to defend the respective countries. The matter is being attended to. Thank you. [Applause.]
Investigation into building on Nkandla home of President by Public Protector
24. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) asked the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether he instructed his Minister of Public Works to cease all building on his Nkandla home pending the outcome of an investigation announced by the Public Protector; if not, why not; if so, when;
(2) whether his instruction was carried out; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?