House Chair, one of the main aims of the department is to deliver broadband connectivity to provide secure and affordable access for all citizens to education, health and other government services, and to ensure that this in itself stimulate economic development.
So in this regard, cyber security remains a challenge. The ACDP appreciate the operations of the cyber security hub and the virtue cyber security hub that are falling under this department. Cyber security breaches pose a significant threat to South Africans. We will urge the department to take more steps to protect cyber security.
We also regret the resignation of Mr Andrew Barnes, former Chief Operating Officer of the Post office; he cited differences in relation to the location of the proposed Post Bank as the reason for his resignation. That wasn't amicable separation. It's regrettable that highly experienced chief operation officers are leaving state-owned companies. This include, SAA Mr Vuyani Jarana. It's clear that political meddling in these state-owned companies continues with chief operating officers unable to do what is required to turn around these SOEs. That hasn't been said.
The Post Office must be commended, however, for taking over the social grant payments during the current financial year. This follows the SA Social Security Agency, Sassa, de barco and the taking over of almost
R7,7 million grantees. This is to be commended, not withstanding the fact that there are only two members of the board that remain on the SA Post Office.
To conclude, the report sets are deep concerns relating to many entities reporting to the Minister. Once the two departments are merged, oversight will be even more difficult but more necessary. There will be additional work and the committee needs to ensure that its recommendations as set out in this report are complied with, and maybe necessary to set up subcommittees dealing with Telecommunications and Communications to ensure that this oversight function is properly done in terms of the Constitution. I thank you.