Chair, I rise on behalf of the DA. We support the budget. However, we have some concerns that I would like to raise.
It was interesting to hear the hon Minister of Finance talking about consultants earlier. These very consultants cost us more when we actually get less; this very system is open to the murky and grey areas that we read about continuously.
But let me not speak. Let me let the Auditor-General, AG, speak on his audit report for the Department of Environmental Affairs. He says that consultants are appointed where permanent capacity should have been created. They are appointed due to the lack of internal capacity. Skills transfers are ineffective. Competitive procurement processes are not being followed. Contracts are extended due to the lack of project management and monitoring. The list goes on and on.
Let me finally move on to the sad and emotive issue of the mass slaughtering of our treasured rhino. Currently, 408 rhinos have been killed in the last six months. The time for talking is over. We need to be decisive and clinical in dealing with the scourge.
The international negotiations with Mozambique need to be fast tracked in order to reintroduce the transfrontier park fence, not memorandums of understanding, MOU. Memorandums of understanding need to be concluded and enforced with Thailand, China and Kenya. Effective bilateral agreements need to be concluded and enforced with both Zimbabwe and Mozambique. I thank you. [Applause.]