Chairperson, once again a piece of legislation aimed at bettering the lives of our people is being tabled in this Chamber. It is now up to us to rise above our petty differences and face this challenge. Let us do it, because we can. Successful people do what failures do not like to do: Do it, because you can.
What is this Meat Safety Bill? There are some people who are unaware that they are buying the meat of stolen animals. [Laughter.] [Interjections.] Animals are slaughtered in unauthorised places. It is a fact. In some provinces there are many bush abattoirs, unauthorised abattoirs. [Laughter.]
People sell unhygienic meat at our pension paypoints. When opening those containers of meat, one is met by a swarm or massed choir of flies, competing or fighting to have their share. [Laughter.] Hence this legislation. Let us, as hon members of this House, please join the Minister and the department. Let us do it, because we can.
After this exercise of debating the Bill that we are engaged in, it will be illegal for people to slaughter animals in any place other than an abattoir. Facilities in those abattoirs should meet the required standards. The abattoirs will be categorised accordingly.
Abattoirs or slaughter facilities have to be registered. This is necessary to monitor activities in all abattoirs or slaughter facilities. The idea is noble. Hon members, let us do it, because we can.
The Meat Safety Bill enables the Minister to designate an officer of the department who, as we all know, is supposed to be a veterinarian. The NEO, or national executive officer, can also delegate the same powers to any officer in the department. These are the people who are going to handle registration applications for abattoirs. Of course the export and import of meat will now be closely monitored.
The inspection of slaughter facilities will be done unannounced. Officers can search premises at any time. Licenses, as we have heard, or the registration certificates of those who contravene any section of the Bill, will be withdrawn. These are not punitive measures, but corrective ones to create opportunities to better the lives of our people.
As hon members are all aware, opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. [Laughter.] Hon members, let us do it, because we can. While it is laudable enough to leave footprints on the sands of time, it is important to ensure that they all point in a commendable direction.
Let me deal with some concerns. Will this legislation not make the rich richer and the poor poorer? Are we not indirectly enriching abattoir owners? How many of our people from the disadvantaged communities own well- equipped abattoirs? It is not yet clear who will be monitoring the NEO. What will the relationship between the NEO and the DG be? Who reports to whom? I think here we will need the support of our Minister. There is a saying that people who live in glass houses should make sure that they are fully dressed. [Laughter.]
When one looks at clause 7(2), under exemptions, we have got every reason to celebrate. It allows people to slaughter animals anywhere if it is for their own consumption or for cultural purposes. I can relate a similar unfortunate incident like the one described by Malefane. An artist from the Northern Province, commonly known as Penny Penny, bought a house in Kempton Park and invited his family and friends to come and celebrate.
He slaughtered a cow and wanted to perform some rituals. Unfortunately this did not go down well with some of the neighbours in that suburb. Within a few minutes his yard was full of police and members of the SPCA. He was instructed to tell everybody to leave and to stop partying. He was told that the laws of this country did not allow people to slaughter animals in the suburbs. When he protested, he and his mother were badly beaten up.
He was taken to the nearest police station, where he spent the whole night. [Interjections.] Let us dilute this blood to make sure that it is not that much thicker than water, because this kind of behaviour makes us sick. [Interjections.] To some people slaughtering for cultural purposes and performing of rituals are seen as barbaric. What nonsense!
Having said that, as mature politicians let us not look back in anger, nor look forward with fear. But, let us look around us with anticipation. With this legislation we are singing hallelujahs and we are thanking God.
There is no speed limit in the pursuit of excellence. Ride on! [Laughter.] In the confrontation between the river and the rock, the river always wins, not through strength, but by perseverance.
The ANC in my province mandated me to say that we support this Bill. I think hon members can also do it, because we can. [Applause.]