Chairperson, proceedings at the public hearings of the Portfolio Committee on Mining this morning illustrate exactly why the DA cannot support the budget. The ANC Youth League, represented by Julius Malema, pleaded for the nationalisation of the mining sector.
He furthermore, on behalf of the ANC Youth League - and, by the way, the ANC as well - indicated that this issue had been discussed at the level of the National Executive Committee of the ANC and that a workshop had been held to facilitate the implementation of this process of nationalisation.
Maybe the ANC should indicate to us what's coming. The causes of these extreme and displaced arguments are clear. They emanate from a failure by government to ensure that the Department of Mineral Resources effectively monitors and ensures compliance with the various laws and policies adopted by Parliament.
The failure by the department to ensure implementation of the BEE requirements, affirmative action, the social labour plans required by the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, and compliance with the Mine Health and Safety Act, has led to a failure of government policy. This, apparently, is also the view of the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources which seems to have upheld it; hence the so-called need for supporting the state-owned mining company and the nationalisation of the mines.
It is therefore imperative that the department implements these decisions contained in the Mining Charter, as agreed to by the mining industry, the unions and government. As such, we cannot support the Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.]