House Chairperson, our rejection of this budget is based on the government's failure to grow the mining industry for the benefit of all South Africans. There is a forest of legislation that fails to be simple, clear and predictable. It has suppressed investment and production. It's becoming increasingly clear that the whole edifice of our regulation is aimed at advancing the interest of cronies and insiders, rather than empowering the disadvantaged.
To prevent the truth of this from coming out, the department is secretive and evasive rather than being transparent. The door is left open for corruption. Few insiders get rich while the country misses an opportunity. It's time for the empowerment of workers and communities rather than the serial empowerment of the same group of oligarchs. Until mining policy does this, we will not support this budget. [Applause.]
Our member is not here today. Thank you.
House Chairperson, it is acknowledged that the Budget Vote has been welcomed in a number of quarters within the mining and mineral sector, including by the mining executives. It outlines the progress made by the Department of Mineral Resources and challenges faced in the past financial year. The Mining Charter, designed to effect meaningful transformation from within the mining industry, is now under review as a precursor to the 2014 transformational milestone.
We note progress with the Mineral and Petroleum Resource Development Act that has increased the gross capital formation significantly. This has been affirmed by the Constitutional Court and is a transitional arrangement to alleviate potential hardship and prevent expropriation. It is not what the opposition claims it to be - a less regulatory certainty, less compliance, less investment, and in fact more job losses. All of these have no scientific basis to speak of.
Change or transformation cannot be a reality in the mining industry without the relevant budget. The Budget Vote speaks to the socioeconomic challenges that face the mining sector. Therefore, the ANC supports Budget Vote 32 of Mineral Resources. [Applause.]
Division demanded.
The House divided:
AYES - 224: Abram, S; Adams, P E; Baloyi, M R; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, F; Bhengu, P; 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; Hajaig, F; Hlengwa, M; Huang, S - B; Jacobus, L; Jeffery, J H; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; 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 A; Motshekga, M S; Mpontshane, A M; Msimang, C T; Msweli, H S; Mthethwa, E M; Mthethwa, E N; 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, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngele, N J; Ngubeni-Maluleka, J P; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njikelana, S J; Nkoana- Mashabane, M E; Nkomo, S J; Nkwinti, G E; 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, J T; Radebe, B A; 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, K P; Sithole, S C N; Sizani, P S; 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, L L; Van der Merwe, S C; 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; Zikalala, C N Z.
NOES - 74: 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; Harris, T; Hill-Lewis, G G; Hoosen, M H; James, W G; Kalyan, S V; 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; Madisha, W M; Marais, S J F; Max, L H; 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; Steyn, A C; 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.