Hon Deputy Speaker, the Central Drug Authority, CDA, is a statutory body established in terms of the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act, Act No 20 of 1992, as amended.
Its functions are to give effect to the National Drug Master Plan, NDMP, in accordance with the guidelines set out therein; advise the Minister on any matter affecting the abuse of drugs referred to the CDA by the Minister for advice; advise the Minister on any matter the CDA considers necessary; and to plan, co-ordinate, and promote measures relating to the prevention and combating of drug abuse and the treatment of persons dependent on drugs in accordance with the NDMP.
In terms of section 2(3) of the Act, the parliamentary committees for social development in the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces were tasked to short-list and interview candidates, and submit recommendations to the Minister of Social Development for the purpose of appointing suitable candidates to serve on the CDA.
I now wish to refer to the members of the subcommittee panel. A subcommittee was formed, and it was constituted of eight members - four representative members each of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development and the Select Committee on Social Services. We interviewed 23 candidates - we had shortlisted 24 candidates, but one candidate withdrew.
As a committee, we are unanimously recommending the following candidates: Mr C P Ucko, Prof D Stein, Ms A M Salter, Mr M M Gama, Dr R Eberlein, Mr D Bayever, Dr L Silva, Mr C Mpyane, Dr M Manyedi, Mr J Kruger, Mrs C Du Toit and Mrs S Ndlovu. [Interjections.]
The portfolio committee recommends that the House, in accordance with the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act, agrees that these names should be sent to the Minister for approval. Thank you.
Declaration of vote:
Deputy Speaker, the DA supports the nomination of the new Central Drug Authority Board, and wishes them all the best in the forthcoming term. I would also like to thank all members on the committee for their co-operation. We have certainly put political differences aside for the betterment of the country.
The board play an important role in the fight against substance abuse. Apart from advising the Minister on substance abuse matters, they must also ensure that the NDMP is implemented.
One of the frustrations experienced by the previous board was that many departments that are obliged to submit their own mini-drug master plans, such as the Department of Basic Education, failed to do so on time or failed to do so completely. The board was found to be powerless and toothless in this regard. If departments fail to meet basic deadlines, then the fight against substance abuse is undermined from the very start.
In addition, the board has consistently submitted their annual reports to Parliament late, resulting in limited oversight. An example is that the board still has not appeared before the portfolio committee to account for last year's annual report.
The DA has high expectations of the new board and we believe that the mix of academics and activists that have been appointed will take the board and its influence to new heights. Departments that have in the past simply ignored the board will be in for a great wake-up call. We expect the board to be the voice of the voiceless in combating substance abuse, for in failing to do so we will be failing the youth of our country. I thank you very much. [Applause.]
Question agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.