Deputy Speaker, let me thank the members who participated in this debate. Once more let me thank the members of the ad hoc committee for work well done. We are very grateful for that. Let me also thank the members of the public who ensured that we get the right balance between secrecy and openness in our democratic society.
Most of the members have said we are more than 99,9% agreeing on this Bill and in any standard that is called sufficient consensus [Interjections.]. In times like these where unsubstantiated allegations are thrown to the public or used to sow confusion we draw inspiration from giants of our struggle such as Amilcar Cabral whom I quote, "do not hide the truth from the people. Tell no lies and claim no easy victories". [Applause.]
It is unfortunate, hon Maynier, that you come up with this absurd idea that Madiba, the icon of our struggle, may disown his own organisation and policies which he fought for for so long and dedicated his life to. No amount of distortion, for instance you are claiming that the Protected Disclosures Act and the Protection of Access to Information Act, PAIA, are not incorporated in this Act, but you know very well because you are an active member. You strengthened the alignment of those provisions, so claim no easy victory, and tell no lies.
Ms Dene Smuts, I respect you very much, but this absurd idea that an ANC government at some stage during this democracy took a decision to spy on political parties through an instruction, tell no lies ... give that instruction because it is incorrect that President Mbeki gave instructions for our people to spy on political parties.
More importantly, for the Freedom Front, I understand that the member was not part of the processes, hence he sings this scratched song "the Bill in its current form" - the Bill has been changed so many times, hon members. He is listening to those who are protesting outside who say, "The Bill in its current form", the Bill has been changed long time ago.
To come here and say that the ANC is a nondemocratic organisation; let me advise you, most undemocratic organisations change and change until they die. The ANC will be 100 years in a few months' time. It is your testimony to this. [Applause.]
Hon Swart, let me say there might be other legitimate concerns. There is still a process in the NCOP for those who have legitimacy and we will consider them in the NCOP. Hon Swart, we have noted your threat of using section 80 of the Constitution for a referral to the Constitutional Court but let me advise you, you need one-third. We are saying as the ANC we won't participate in that process because we believe the committee has done a sterling work and we believe the Bill in this current form is constitutional.
For hon Ambrosini, I want to appeal once more to withdraw this amendment you have put in our Order Paper because all these things you are putting have been debated in the committee. If you don't, I will be tempted to agree with hon Dene Smuts who issued a statement to say, and I quote, "during the long deliberations on this Bill you are undergoing a process of philabastering which you have long pronounced that you will delay this Bill through this process. This is not Washington, hon Ambrosini, this is not Rome, this is South Africa.
I honestly appeal to the member to withdraw because the members have done sterling work. This is abuse of the parliamentary process. I urge the members to vote for this Bill. I thank you very much. [Applause.]