Madam Speaker, this is Asgisa and economic development. The Deputy President does not recognise crime as a barrier to economic development. So, the hon Deputy President, therefore, does not agree that crime is a barrier to Asgisa, despite the fact that South Africa's murder rate is eight times higher that the world's average.
Does this mean that the government accepts that 18 000 murders per annum is reasonable, despite the fact that many of those murdered were highly skilled people contributing to our economy? Is the hon Deputy President not in agreement that the unacceptably high crime rate plays a role in the brain drain, taking into account the shortage of skill in South Africa, and that crime also limits foreign investments and foreign capital that contribute to South Africa's economic development?