Chairperson, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform's responsibility is to redistribute land. Our concern as the DA is the allocation of funds to the Land Restitution Programme. The programme has a huge backlog, coming from the claims done in the previous claims lodged. There are hundreds of claims which are not yet settled. The reopening of lodgement of claims before settling the old claims lodged 12 years ago, before December 1998, will cause a serious confusion and clash between old and new claimants. Land given back to the claimants is not used because of lack of support from the department. The farms which were claimed are not utilised or improved because previous owners cannot invest money on the claimed land.
According to reports, 208 land claims are still to be finalised, based on concerns from claimants and farmers who are waiting to be paid and those who are waiting for the land to be given back to them. Because of this failure to honour the agreement they have signed with the department, the DA will not support Budget Vote No 33. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Chairperson, this department is tasked with achieving Outcome 7: Vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities. With 43% of the country's people living in rural areas, many of them are generally worse affected by unemployment, poverty, malnutrition, poor education and the lack of clean drinking water. Refuse removal and modern methods of sewerage disposal are seriously lacking. All these factors contribute to the poor health status of people living in these rural areas. Many households in rural areas are headed by women. Sadly, these households are experiencing a severe inadequacy of access to food.
In rural areas more households consist of part-time workers, headed by the elderly and women. They are confronted with severe input constraints and access to subsidies. These problems are also crying out for our attention.
Women in particular are facing increasing food insecurity. This is compounded by a comparative lack of assets as well as access to arable land. This lack of the right to own the very land they till must certainly be addressed. Laws and programmes aimed at protecting tenure rights of farm workers and labour tenants are not being vigorously and supportively implemented. Land restitution is still a lingering problem. Court cases are continuing and delays in settling claims have not been overcome. The restitution programme appears to have run out of steam. Cope is not in support of this Budget Vote.
Voorsitter, die VF Plus is ook teen hierdie begrotingspos, maar om ander redes as die DA en Cope. Die rede is dat die DA en Cope meer geld vra om grondhervorming aan te moedig, want hulle stem saam met die grondhervormingsbeleid van die ANC.
Die VF Plus s u het geld, maar die agb Minister erken dat 90% van die projekte mislukkings is. Ons standpunt is dat u eers moet regmaak wat u het, maar u wil meer h. Dan wil ek s dat die agb Minister met sy begrotingspos ges het dat dit vir hom 'n eer is om vergelyk te word met Robert Mugabe. Nou, agb Voorsitter, ek wil vir die agb Minister s ... [Tussenwerpsels.] Dis wat hy ges het. Mugabe is die muishond van die wreld wanneer dit kom by grondhervorming. Ek wil net vir die agb Minister s: As u 'n muishond vir 'n vriend het, en hy maak stink, gaan die stank aan u ook sit. Die VF Plus sal nie hierdie begrotingspos ondersteun nie. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.) [Mr P J GROENEWALD: Chairperson, the FF Plus is also opposing this Budget Vote, but for different reasons than those of the DA and Cope. The reason is that the DA and Cope is asking for more money to encourage land reform, because they agree with the land reform policy of the ANC.
The FF Plus is saying that you have money, but the hon Minister has admitted that 90% of the projects have failed. Our point of view is that you first have to fix what you have, but you want more. I also want to say that the hon Minister mentioned during his Budget Vote that it was an honour for him to be compared to Robert Mugabe. Chairperson, I want to say to the hon Minister ... [Interjections.] That is what he said. Mugabe is the "skunk of the world" with regard to land reform. I just want to caution the hon Minister: If you want to have a skunk as a friend, and he smells bad, the stench will linger around you as well. The FF Plus will not support this Budget Vote. Thank you.]
Chairperson, the ANC supports the Budget Vote for Rural Development and Land Reform, because this Budget Vote has to deal with the objective reality of land redistribution that is driven by a reconciliatory approach to nation-building and social cohesion.
In many cases, this has resulted in speculation over high land prices which has dragged negotiations and land transactions on for too long, to the detriment of the beneficiaries and the state. The willingness to sell marginal land exists alongside clinging to large chunks of land which could radically reduce unemployment and poverty and ultimately alter the production relations and the agrarian structure of our society.
We are encouraged by the process of the department which, in its short history, has done a land audit and is opening up the land to all South Africans. It is also about to introduce institutions that will regulate land use, evaluation and management. We are also encouraged by the improvement of the organisational capacity to manage the resources and systems and the budget of the department.
We support the Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance, Congress of the People, Independent Democrats and Freedom Front Plus dissenting).
Vote No 34 - Science and Technology - put and agreed to.
Vote No 35 - Tourism - put and agreed to.
Vote No 36 - Trade and Industry - put.
Declarations of vote:
House Chair, let me tell the House why the DA supports the Department of Trade and Industry's Budget, the DTI.
On the downside the DTI spends far too little on commercial diplomacy. Too much effort goes to fostering trade with the Brics countries and too little in pushing our exports into Africa and our traditional trading partners. Small business is overregulated but still the DTI is making a significant contribution to the green economy, to mining and engineering, especially oil and gas and to agro processing and there is more. The DTI's balance sheet therefore is one where there are more assets than deficits.
The hon Davies is not a problem for Parliament. Our problem is a President who is incapable of providing urgent transversal leadership to co-ordinate time-sensitive responses to market failures in the critical areas of skills, labour clearance and infrastructure.
On balance, therefore, colleagues, the DA supports the DTI's budget. [Applause.]
Chairperson, while we understand that this department is the engine room of South Africa's economy and that the Industrial Policy Action Plan, the Ipap, is doing a great deal towards trying to stimulate growth, our economy is still not getting appropriate traction. One problem is that the focus in attacking poverty is skewed on a race basis instead of a socioeconomic basis. While this department is willing to protect the fruits of culture that emerge from communities in the form of traditional knowledge, it still isolates communities based on race where economic empowerment is concerned. A truly inclusive economy is one that is truly inclusive, not by way of double speak but by way of truly including everyone.
The 2010 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, report on poverty in South Africa has already indicated that the socioeconomic divisions in South Africa have become intraracial, meaning that all peoples are becoming either poorer or richer. This problem can only be addressed by appropriate policy responses that are based on socioeconomic needs and not racial divisions.
We also find it disconcerting that overregulation of all businesses are introduced by the ill-conceived Licensing of Businesses Bill that, to the credit of the Minister, now has been withdrawn for redrafting. The introduction of such an anti-economic Bill in the first place however, is very disconcerting. As such we cannot support this Budget Vote. Thank you.
Mr Chairperson, let me say one thing. In this House it's interesting that President Zuma is now blamed for the economy. But online the DA went and criticised Minister Davies, that he shouldn't have spent R120 000 when in fact that money was to bring in the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, SMME, entrepreneurs and the Cape Town local service providers. [Interjections.] Of course you are now embarrassed, so you want to shut up because you are in your own constituency. [Interjections.]
Now, let me just say that we can congratulate the DTI on the manner in which it supported women recently at the Global Summit of Women, where the Technology for Women in Business and Techno Girl programme was given by the Ministerial Roundtable the Best Practices Award for Innovative Entrepreneurship. [Applause.] So there we are, that is small business, hon James.
Now on top of this, let me just say, in terms of broadening participation, that it is most unfortunate that we have not yet persuaded you, that is, the FF Plus, to actually analyse the legislation and realise this can only benefit you. It can only benefit you because you are going to provide the services to those in business - the skills, the training, etc.
The ANC supports this Budget Vote. [Applause.]
Vote agreed to (Freedom Front Plus dissenting).
Vote No 37 - Transport - put.
Declarations of vote:
Yes, I see you, hon Manuel. Just hold on.
Historically, this government has wasted approximately R14 billion of fuel levy money, on average per annum, on other wasteful projects for years instead of fixing South Africa's roads. The voters want to know what you have done with the money. Was it spent on Nkandla? Was it spent on bailing out SA Airways?
Now this government wants Gauteng and the Western Cape motorists to pay again. That makes e-tolling a form of double taxation. The question remains: Why were the national and provisional roads allowed to collapse when the fuel levy money was available for the past two decades to pay for their maintenance?
The motorists and taxpayers of Gauteng have expressed their views on the e- toll, as the Minister of Transport said in this very House. They are saying no to e-tolls! Instead, they would prefer to pay a fuel levy. However, this government insists on forcing e-tolls on everyone.
There is also far too little in this budget to maintain provincial roads, such as the alternative route to the N2 at Bloukrans, which has been closed for the past year because the roads department in the Eastern Cape is unable to maintain the alternative route. This forces motorists to use the toll road whether they want to or not, and they have to pay. That's a great way to line the coffers of a wasteful government which has lost touch with ordinary South Africans.
Under these circumstances, the DA cannot support this Transport Budget Vote and will vote no.
Chairperson, first of all, the IFP supports the Budget, but this department and government continue to support projects at the direct expense of the poor and the most vulnerable. E-tolling in Gauteng proceeds at the expense of consumers because of the ineptitude, greed and corruption of a few. It is wholly unnecessary. People living in Gauteng and soon the rest of South Africa will be following forms of indirect tax. Looking forward, through the paying of tolls, increasing travelling costs, increasing prices of goods, food and services, e-tolls will impact the greatest on the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable.
The people of this country do not want e-toll, yet the government which is meant to represent them does not listen to their outcry.
What do the members of the ANC, the SA Communist Party, SACP, Cosatu and the SA National Civic Organisation, Sanco, who are living in Gauteng, say to their constituency members, the people who elected them into power and those who are no longer represented by them?
In South Africa, approximately 40 people die every day due to road accidents. This adds up to approximately 14 000 people dying annually. It has been said that South Africa's mortality rate of 28% per 100 citizens dying as a result of road fatalities is regrettably amongst the highest in the world. What are we doing to prevent this? Among the most prevalent human causes of vehicle accidents are alcohol abuse, pedestrian jay- walking, passengers and drivers not using safety belts, excessive speed, dangerous overtaking and poor driving. Compliance with the law remains a huge challenge ... [Time expired.]
Voorsitter, hierdie departement is in gebreke om 'n holistiese, nasionaal gentegreerde vervoerbeleid te skep waarvolgens die nodige infrastruktuur vir ekonomiese groei geskep kan word. In plaas hiervan word begroot vir enorme projekte wat eerder deel is van 'n laslapbeleid soos die Transnet Nasionale Infrastruktuur Plan.
Die Gauteng e-tolstelsel is deel van hierdie probleem. Hierdie stelsel is niks anders nie as 'n belastingkanker wat die ekonomie van Gauteng en gevolglik die res van die land gaan doodwurg. Dis 'n elitistiese stelsel wat die armes gaan dwing om op te gee om te werk of werk te soek vanwe vervoerbeperkings. Dit gaan die pryse van kos opstoot. Dit gaan veroorsaak dat firmas werksgeleenthede beperk. In kort: Dit gaan 'n enorme gemors veroorsaak. Daarom moet die Minister asseblief luister na diegene wat wel alternatiewe oplossings bied tot hierdie saak.
Daarby is die onveiligheid op Suid-Afrika se paaie toe te skryf aan uiters gebrekkige polisiring. Talle verkeersbeamptes is swak opgelei, en in Gauteng gebruik die verkeersdepartement Aarto, die Wet op Administratiewe Beregting van Verkeersoortredings, Wet 46 van 1998, bloot om geld te maak uit 'n publiek wat geboelie word om onwettige boetes te betaal. Aarto het in alle opsigte gefaal en moet opgeskort word totdat die vermo bestaan om dit wel behoorlik te implementeer. Daarom kan die VF Plus nie hierdie begrotingspos steun nie. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Adv A D ALBERTS: Chairperson, this department is in default of developing a holistic, nationally integrated transport policy according to which the infrastructure needed for economic growth can be created. Instead they are budgeting for enormous projects which more likely form part of a patchwork policy such as the Transnet National Infrastructure Plan.
The Gauteng e-tolling system is part of this problem. This system is nothing but a taxation cancer that is going to throttle the economy of Gauteng, and as a result the rest of the country, to death. It is an elitist system that will force the poor to give up work or looking for work because of restrictions on transportation. It will push up food price. This will cause companies to restrict job opportunities. In short: It will cause a big mess. That is why the Minister should please listen to those who are offering alternative solutions to this issue.
In addition, the lack of safety on South Africa's roads can be attributed to extremely poor policing. Many traffic officials are poorly trained, and in Gauteng the traffic department is using Aarto, the Administrative Adjudication of Traffic Offences Act, Act 46 of 1998, simply to make money from a public that is being bullied into paying illegal fines. Aarto has failed in all respects and should be suspended until the capacity to implement it properly is in place. That is why the FF Plus cannot support this Vote. Thank you.]
House Chairperson, I rise to inform this House about the ID's objection to this Budget Vote.
I also rise to announce that the ID takes note of the support by the ANC and its sister parties: Sanco, SACP and Cosatu, who are in the gallery tonight, and the Minority Front who supports this Budget Vote, taking into consideration the different views on the e-toll saga.
Tonight I want to warn the ANC. Mr Gwede Mantashe is here; the big brother is here, and is watching you. Therefore, when you vote, think about the e- tolls, the poor and the sister parties and then vote against this Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mphathisihlalo, lapha eNingizimu Afrika, uhulumeni we-ANC unoMnyango wezokuThutha, awunawo umnyango we-e-tolling! Siyi-ANC siyaziqhenya ngokuseka iSabelomali soMnyango wezokuThutha. Yinde- ke indlela esesiyihambile silungisa inyakanyaka eyashiywa yilabo ababebusa ngokubandlulula. Lesi Sabelomali sizolungisa ukungalingani kwezokuthutha; lapho izindawo ezisemakhaya zazingathuthukiswa kepha kuthuthukiswa izindawo ezisemadolobheni.
Sizokwakha imizila yezitimela ezoxhuma izindawo zabantu abahlala ezindaweni ezithuthukile kanye nezingakathuthuki. Kuzothengwa kuphinde kwakhiwe izitimela ezintsha ezihamba ngejubane eliphezulu, lokhu kuzosiza ukwehlisa izinga lezingozi, isikhathi sokuhamba kanye nezindleko zakhona.
Akekho umuntu ohlala eNingizimu Afrika ongaboni ukuthi mkhulu kangakanani umsebenzi owenziwe uMnyango wezokuThutha ngaphansi kukahulumeni we-ANC. UMnyango wezokuThutha usulungise ubugoxogoxo bezitimela ezashiywa yilabo ababebusa ngesikhathi sobandlululo. Lo mnyango usuwakhe izikhungo zezindiza nemigwaqo. Lo mnyango uphinde wavulela bonke abantu amathuba okugibela kanye nokusebenzisa yonke imikhakha yezokuthutha.
Ngikhuluma nje sekunabashayeli bezindiza abakwaze ukuthi benze lo msebenzi ngoba sekuphethe i-ANC. [Ihlombe.] Abanamehlo bayabona, abangaboni kumnyama ezingqondweni zabo!
Nokho kusenezinkinga esizozixazulula ngokusebenzisa izinqubomgomo ze-ANC. Kulezi zinkinga singabala ukungabibikho kwamakhono, ukusetshenziswa kakhulu kwabeluleki [consultants], kanye nokuxhumanisa imikhakha yezokuthutha.
Siyasiseka lesi Sabelomali. Ngiyabonga. [Kuphele isikhathi.] [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu speech follows.)
[Ms N R BHENGU: Chairperson, here in South Africa the ANC government has the Department of Transport, not the department of e-tolling!
We, the ANC, are proud to support the Budget Vote for the Department of Transport. We have come a long way righting the wrongs of the past apartheid government. This Budget will eradicate the inequalities in our transport system in which rural areas were neglected in favour of urban areas.
We are going to construct railway lines that will connect the well developed and the less developed areas. High speed trains will be purchased and made in order to curb accidents and to shorten travelling times while at the same time decreasing travelling costs.
Not even one South African can claim to be ignorant of the good and extensive work performed by the Department of Transport under the ANC government. The Department of Transport has repaired trains in serious conditions of disrepair that were used during apartheid. This department has also constructed airports and roads. It has further opened up opportunities for all citizens to have access to all forms of transport.
As we speak, we have airline pilots that were only able to have access to such job opportunities when the ANC came into power. [Applause.] Those who have eyes can see and those who cannot are deliberately ignoring it!
We still have some challenges that we need to face though by using policies of the ANC. Among them we can mention the lack of skills, use of consultants and integration of our transport system.
We support this Budget Vote. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]]
Division demanded.
The House divided.
AYES - 228: Abram, S; Adams, P E; Baloyi, M R; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, P; Bhengu, F; Bikani, F C; Bonhomme, T; Booi, M S; Borman, G M; Boshigo, D F; Botha, Y R; Bothman, S G; Burgess, C V; Buthelezi, M G; Cebekhulu, R S; Cele, M A; Chiloane, T D; Chohan, F I; Coleman, E M; Cwele, S C; Dambuza, B N; Daniels, P N; Davies, R H; De Lange, J H; Diale, L N; Dikgacwi, M M; Ditshetelo, I C; Dlakude, D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlodlo, A; Dlomo, B J; Dubazana, Z S; Dube, M C; Duma, N M; Ebrahim, E I; Fransman, M L; Fubbs, J L; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gaum, A H; Gcwabaza, N E; Gelderblom, J P; Gigaba, K M N; Gina, N; Gololo, C L; Goqwana, M B; Gumede, D M; Hajaig, F; Hlengwa, M; Huang, S - B; Jacobus, L; Jeffery, J H; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Kholwane, S E; Khumalo, F E; Khunou, N P; Koornhof, G W; Kubayi, M T; Landers, L T; Lekgetho, G; Lesoma, R M M; Line-Hendriks, H; Lishivha, T E; Luyenge, Z; Mabasa, X; Mabedla, N R; Mabuza, M C; Madlala, N M; Madlopha, C Q; Mafolo, M V; Magagula, V V; Magama, H T; Magubane, E; Magwanishe, G; Makasi, X C; Makhuba, H N; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Makwetla, S P; Malale, M l; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, J M; Manamela, K B; Manana, N C; Manganye, J; Mangena, M S; Manuel, T A; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Mashatile, S P; Mashigo, R M; Mashishi, A C; Masilo, J M; Masutha, T M; Mathebe, D H; Mathibela, N F; Matlanyane, H F; Matshoba, J M; Mavunda, D W; Mayatula, S M; Maziya, A M; Mdakane, M R; Mfeketo, N C; Mfulo, A; Mgabadeli, H C; Mjobo, L N; Mkhize, H B; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlambo, E M; Mmusi, S G; Mnisi, N A; Mocumi, P A; Mohai, S J; Mohorosi, M; Mokoena, A D; Molebatsi, M A; Molewa, B E E; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Moloto, K A; Moni, C M; Moss, L N; Motlanthe, K P; Motsepe, R M; Motshekga, M S; Motshekga, M A; Mpontshane, A M; Msimang, C T; Msweli, H S; Mthethwa, E N; Mthethwa, E M; Mufamadi, T A; Mushwana, F F; Muthambi, A F; N'wamitwa-Shilubana, T L P; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndabandaba, L B G; Ndabeni, S T; Ndebele, J S; Ndlazi, A Z; Ndlovu, V B; Nel, A C; Nelson, W J; Nene, N M; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngcobo, B T; Ngele, N J; Ngubeni-Maluleka, J P; Ngwenya, W; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njikelana, S J; Nkoana-Mashabane, M E; Nkomo, S J; Nkwinti, G E; Nonkonyana, M; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntuli, Z C; Ntuli, B M; Nxesi, T W; Nxumalo, M D; Nyalungu, R E; Nyanda, S; Nyekemba, E; Oliphant, M N; Oosthuizen, G C; Pandor, G N M; Peters, E D; Petersen- Maduna, P; Phaahla, M J; Phaliso, M N; Pilane-Majake, M C C; Pilusa- Mosoane, M E; Pule, D D; Radebe, G S; Radebe, B A; Radebe, J T; Ramatlhodi, N A; Ramodibe, D M; Schneemann, G D; Segale-Diswai, M J; Selau, G J; September, C C; Sexwale, T M G; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibiya, D; Sindane, G S; Singh, N; Sisulu, M V; Sithole, S C N; Sithole, K P; Sizani, P S; Skosana, M B; Smith, V G; Snell, G T; Sogoni, E M; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Suka, L; Sulliman, E M; Sunduza, T B; Surty, M E; Thabethe, E; Thibedi, J D; Tobias, T V; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tsenoli, S L; Tshabalala, J; Tsotetsi, D R; Turok, B; Twala, N M; Van der Merwe, S C; Van Der Merwe, L L; van Rooyen, D D; van Wyk, A; Wayile, Z G; Williams, A J; Williams-De Bruyn, S T; Xaba, P P; Ximbi, D L; Xingwana, L M; Yengeni, L E.
NOES - 75: Adams, L H; Alberts, A D; Berend, S R; Bhanga, B M; Boinamo, G G; Bosman, L L; Botha, T; Coetzee, T W; Davidson, I O; De Freitas, M S F; Dreyer, A M; Du Toit, N D; Duncan, P C; Eloff, E H; Esau, S; Ferguson, B D; Gcume, N P; Groenewald, P J; Harris, T; Hoosen, M H; James, W G; Kalyan, S V; Kganare, D A; Kilian, J D; Kloppers-Lourens, J C; Kohler-Barnard, D; Koornhof, N J J v R; Kopane, S P; Krumbock, G R; Lamoela, H; Lee, T D; Lekota, M G P; Lorimer, J R B; Lotriet, A; Lovemore, A T; Mackenzie, G P D; Marais, S J F; Max, L H; Maynier, D J; Mazibuko, L D; McGluwa, J J; Michael, N W A; Mileham, K J; Mnqasela, M; More, E; Mosimane, C K K; Motau, S C; Mubu, K S; Mulder, C P; Ndude, H N; Nhanha, M A; Njobe, M A A; Ollis, I M; Rabie, P J; Ramatlakane, L; Rogers, F A; Ross, D C; Schafer, D A; Schmidt, H C; Selfe, J; Shinn, M R; Smiles, D C; Steenhuisen, J H; Steyn, A C; Steyn, A; Stubbe, D J; Swart, M; Swathe, M M; Terblanche, J F; Van den Berg, N J; Van Der Linde, N J; Van Der Westhuizen, A P; Van Schalkwyk, H C; Waters, M; Watson. A.
Vote accordingly agreed to.
Vote No 38 - Water Affairs - put and agreed to.
Schedule as a whole agreed to.