Chairperson, I am not speaking because the Minister used my name, I was going to speak anyway. In fact, I thought that he read my mind.
The ANC agrees with this amendment - I do as a member of the ANC. I would, however, still raise two issues that I would like the Minister to go and address, even if he has already forfeited his right to reply here, and I would also ask the committee to consider these two aspects.
The one issue is the promotion of human rights, as well as human dignity for prisoners, which I do not squabble with - my organisation and our government also support it. In fact, our struggle was based on the quest for human rights principally.
However, there is a perception in the South African citizenry that the human rights of inmates are better than the human rights of those whom they have offended in breaking the law. I think that is an issue that we have to address. For instance, if a rapist has been found guilty of rape, the rape act itself is dehumanising and it is degrading and it affects one's human dignity. But in terms of international law and protocol you have to secure the human rights of a prisoner who has diminished and violated the human rights of a woman in raping and dehumanising her. So, I think these are the issues that we will have to go and look into.
The second issue is that of an inspecting judge not having the right to deal with issues of corruption and maladministration, in that this responsibility will be given to the investigating unit, which will be appointed by the national commissioner. Now, what happens if it is the national commissioner that is corrupt? Will the investigation unit that he or she appoints be impartial when it has to investigate and report on maladministration or corruption on the part of the person that appointed them?
These are the two critical issues that I would request be looked at. If the Minister had not forfeited his right to reply, I would sit here and wait for his response. But, because he has already forfeited his right to reply, I would hope that he would reply to me in writing at least, and that the committee would consider these two issues. I thank you.
Debate concluded.