Deputy Speaker, we in the ACDP looked at the report in the light of the economic challenges we are facing in our country. And we believe that because of our poor economic climate, the host agreements signed with the African Union in 2004, in which South Africa was to provide headquarters accommodation for the Pan African Parliament has to be revisited.
Our current debt level as a country will negate the possibility of such an undertaking for many years to come. The same hold the African Renaissance Fund. The fact that South Africa is the only financial contributor to the African Renaissance Fund, ARF, makes this fund unsustainable.
While the ACDP notes the importance of assisting other countries in distress, we have to be realistic and face the fact that South Africa does not have limitless resources and that our current economic climate requires expenditure cuts.
The millions given in support of democracy and good governance in other countries, good as it is, the
presidential elections in Madagascar as an example, the post conflict reconstruction and development, that money should rather be used to reduce our financial deficit so that our country can also avoid the junk status that is threatening us.
Spending on the compensation of the employees in the country's 125 diplomatic missions across 108 countries is costing South Africa billions of rands every year. And it is set to increase to R3,3 billion in the 2021- 22 financial year. That is why the ACDP is calling for the review of these expenses. Thank you.