Deputy Minister, maybe you should answer the next question in another language so that the interpreters may give a different interpretation so that the DA can understand. I think we need to congratulate the department, firstly, for putting project Operation Clean Audit into place; and secondly, for the internal control systems that they have initiated amongst the commanders and the chiefs in the department.
Mr Chairperson, the Department of Defence informed the Portfolio Committee on Defence of the steps that have been put in place to address the shortcomings identified by the Auditor-General only yesterday. They did not only do that but they also informed the portfolio committee on the steps they have put in place regarding the shortcomings that the audit committee of the department has identified in the annual report. More than that, the Department of Defence will also interact with Scopa regarding the annual report, and more specifically regarding the shortcomings identified by the Auditor-General.
My question is: Do you agree that we should allow the parliamentary process regarding the Auditor-General's qualifications to be completed? If that process is then complete, will Parliament come with recommendations to this House as well as to the Department of Defence on what steps should be taken? That is a parliamentary and a democratic process that should be allowed and it should not be in the manner that the DA is proposing. Thank you.