Chairperson, I
want to thank members for all the inputs that we have heard from the House.
On the DA, South Africa is a constitutionally unitary democracy. We have fought against balkanisation of our country into fragmented regionalised entities and we can't do it now. The problems we are facing can't be solved by becoming a federal state. We have a critical and a strategic role to play as a department by ensuring that we consolidate the rule of law and deepen constitutional democracy in order to attract foreign direct investment. So, we all have a role as a country and as a department is for us to consolidate that there is a rule of law.
On the questions that we have been asked about the political prisoners or inmates, most of those who were denied by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, TRC, was because they committed crimes such as armed robbery, bank heist and so forth. So, as a result they were denied amnesty by the TRC and it is for that reason that we will not be able to help them with any amnesty even at this stage.
At present, we are currently looking various political prisoners or inmates and we will soon make announce to the country in that
regard, because there are many that do qualify and there are others that don't qualify, but the categorisation is very clear. Those that have committed crimes such as bank robberies and so forth is not going to happen.
Lastly, with regard to the Public Protector, I think that all the institutions or whoever has been found by the Public Protector have decided to take the matters to court. I think as hon Dodovu raised it, we should allow that process to unfold and wait for the courts to make rulings. We should also not be selective in quoting court judgements.
There is a recent court judgement that I don't want to quote, but it has been very clear about the work of the Public Protector and it has went into characters and so forth. So, I think it is important that we allow the courts to pronounce so that even the committees can take into cognisance the various judgements that are coming out of the courts. Premature pronouncements or actions on these judgements may even affect you as human beings and yourselves as members of various political parties here in this House, because this House has also many judgements that it has to deal with that comes from that office. So, you might also be sitting here thinking that you are insulting somebody else where as you might be insulting
yourself. [Applause.] So, I think it is very important that this House pays due consideration to all the judgements in a balanced and a scientific manner.
The President can't take leave of absence. The President has to execute his responsibilities. He has constitutional obligation as elected by the people of this country. [Applause.]
With regard to paroles, I am not sure if time still allows, but we have now ensured that whatever parole that we give to any of our inmates, there has been consultation with the victims. We are also looking at ensuring that when a person is convicted from the process of the trial up until the person is released on parole; there is a programme that deals with the issues of victims. That programme also deals with community interactions, community corrections, but also the rehabilitation of the offenders in our various centres.
The biggest challenge we have is that most of our centres that are overcrowded or would double the number of inmates is the big correctional centres like Sun City in Johannesburg, Pollsmoor, Durban Westville, and Matatshe in Limpopo. So, we are looking at various legislative mandates that we have that deals with custodial and noncustodial putting of our inmates to ease the burden on the
correctional services and during this financial year, we will make proper announcement in that regard. Thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]
Chairperson, well there are few other heads that were not acknowledged there and I can see the Head of Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, Psira, the Hawks, Advocate Dr General Lebeya and is not an honorary doctor. It was won and others.
I spoke to the fighter there that I love his bravery ...
IsiZulu:
Unesibindi
English:
... to come here and defend a person that was taken to small slices by the Constitutional Court and you must remember that won't change. It won't change that your investigation was flawed, you lied under oath, you didn't tell the truth, you are not honest, and you have no integrity. It won't change. It is there for life. It is from the Constitutional Court which is the last court and for you to come and support that here is bravery. Having said that these processes must
be respected and this one will live with it forever and we take it as such. You can't go beyond.
One problem some members don't learn is to come here talk and live with listening. Hon, members, is Ms Visser here? Hon Frick has left. We work very well with him I must say, but what hon Mmusi, the leader of the DA has said, I think is a key in dealing with the crime in this when he said take politics out this one and let's work together and find one solution for the people.
I respect that from the leader of the DA. That doesn't mean that we must disrespect one another going forward. He comes here and talk about the Premier that it was uncalled for. The Premier is the Premier of Western Cape and not of South Africa. That must be very clear. He is a Premier of Western Cape.
I can't imagine myself being the national Minister of Police coming to the Western Cape and address the Cabinet without knowing. He can't be going around addressing police and the soldiers. It is the national competence. If he wants to do it, he must pick up the phone and respect us. He wants to go and address the police when the National Commissioner of the SA Police Service doesn't know. When
the Minister of Defence doesn't know? When the Minister of police doesn't know?
IsiZulu:
Uthwala ikhanda nje,
English:
He run there and doesn't respect. If you don't respect, don't expect anybody to respect you. Respect is mutual. So, for us maybe that is why he knew where to, because next morning or late night he reported me to the President. Is that wrong? Mr President, he is supposed to follow the protocol and respect all of us. That is simple. We would have simple said you go there, but there are people responsible. I will never come here and address the Cabinet without Premier knowing. It is disrespect. Hell of it.
IsiZulu:
Ungicebe kuMengameli.
English: We have opened quite several police stations: Pholile in the Eastern Cape, Laskraal in Limpopo, Colenso in KwaZulu-Natal, Mareetsane in the North Western, Dube in Winterveldt, KaMhlushwa in Mpumalanga.
IsiZulu:
Zonke iziteshi zamaphoyisa ezisezindaweni zasemakhaya
English:
So, it is not very true. There is one in Limpopo that we will be opening soon. It is finished and so, it not very correct that we are concentrating on the urban areas. We know that criminality goes up there.
My last point on this one, when South Africans die, they just die as South Africans. So, this thing of emphasising that there is a group of people that are dying is wrong. It is wrong. Let us defend and work with all South Africans and make them really, really safe. Whether is it is in Sqalo or in the farm, it doesn't matter. It is our responsibility and we take that as our responsibility, but not for the category of South African but all South Africans. Thank you. [Time expired.]
Order! That concludes the business of the day. I would like to thank the Ministers, Deputy Ministers, special delegates representing South African Local Government Association, Salga, for availing themselves for the Debate. Hon members, you are requested to remain standing until the
proceeding procession has left the House. The Council is adjourned. Thank you.
Debate concluded.
The Council adjourned at 19:30. -----------------------