Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank the hon member who spoke about the improvements in the North West province. I would also like to share with the House that the Department of Transport is working very closely with the nine MECs to improve road infrastructure in rural areas and in urban areas. I thank you.
Madam Deputy Speaker, may I address you on a point of order?
Yes, hon Van der Merwe.
I wish to refer to the events earlier today in this House. I am sure that tonight we will hang our heads in shame when we see on television what happened today. Parliament cannot be seen to be doing nothing about this. Therefore, I propose that the matter be referred to the Chief Whips' Forum to urgently address this so that never again do we have such events in this House.
Do you have a point of order, hon Minister?
It is not a point of order, but may I address you on a similar point, Madam Deputy Speaker?
Yes.
I endorse the sentiment expressed by the hon Van der Merwe. I think the decorum of this House is critical and necessary, and the integrity of the Chair has to be respected.
I would urge that the hon Chair looks at Hansard very carefully, because there was a clear imputation of bias and partiality on the part of the Chair. The suggestion that was made by the hon Lekota was that the response or the findings of the hon Chair, in relation to previous concerns that had been raised were deliberately and consciously delayed in order to embarrass the hon Lekota.
Now, that in itself suggests a particular lack of integrity on the part of the Chair. I do submit, with respect, that if indeed Hansard does reveal a particular allegation of bias and an erosion of the integrity of the Chair, an appropriate committee should be established in order to investigate the matter and deal with the matter appropriately, including the issue of an appropriate sanction. Thank you very much, hon Deputy Speaker.
Thank you very much, both hon Van der Merwe and hon ...
Madam Deputy Speaker ... Madam Deputy Speaker ...
Hon Ambrosini, when you stand up and ask to speak, you wait until the Chair acknowledges you and says you can speak. Please! These are some of the things that really disrupt the House. Do you want to speak on a point of order?
Yes, Madam Deputy Speaker.
You stand up or raise your hand and say that, and the Chair allows you to speak. That is the Rule.
That's exactly what I have done.
You can speak now.
That is exactly what I have done. I said, "Madam Deputy Speaker" and I kept silent, waiting for you to acknowledge me. Thank you for acknowledging me. I am rising on a point of order. I want to point out that what the Deputy Minister did, requires a substantive motion. It was totally out of order to infringe on the credibility and the conduct of a member who is not even in this House.
Thank you, hon member. I take it, hon Van der Merwe, that these issues are supposed to be discussed at the Chief Whips' Forum. You are right. I hope they will be discussed. At times I wonder what the Chief Whips' Forum is discussing, other than making sure that the decorum of this House is maintained and that the House runs smoothly. I think we have a serious challenge if, at times, the people who are disrupting this House are the Chief Whips themselves. I appreciate your input. I think it must be discussed there. Thank you very much. [Interjections.]
And end the never-ending comments. This is by no means an attempt to stifle debate, but I think, hon members, we are really overdoing it. I don't know if all of us sitting here don't see on television the circus that we are in, in this House. I hope all those issues will be addressed.