Thank you, Chair. Hon Minister, why is it wonderful that these many women and youth as you described to us benefited from procurement in your department and that you intend to increase participation for these groups? Your department is struggling to solve procurement irregularities at the moment. One of the most recent investigations was launched by the Public Service Commission appointing a high profile investigating team to look into allegations of tender fraud and factional wars in their department. What steps are your department taking to eliminate procurement irregularities and can you guarantee this House that the opportunities created for women and youth are not, in fact, hampered by corruption?
The MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Thank you very
much, hon member. In fact, when we presented our audit outcomes before the portfolio committee in the National Assembly I have made
an undertaken that all irregular expenditure will be investigated by Independent Forensic Auditors, and I have already issued instructions to all of the branches and also to all of our entities that need to take place. There can be absolutely no space in our department for those who would want to prevent anyone but in particular people from historically disadvantaged communities from not benefitting from the opportunities that are available. Corruption is not a victimless crime; corruption is a crime that affects those who live under conditions of poverty the most.