Agb Voorsitter, die ANC ondersteun hierdie begrotingspos. U weet, Korrektiewe Dienste moet met 'n fyn balans hanteer word. In die oue dae was dit tronke en ons is as bandiete beskou. Die groot verandering het al plaasgevind en dit is nou korrektiewe regstelling. Ons probeer die mense beter maak.
Gister het die portefeuljekomitee van die NA Pollsmoor gaan besoek en die regering het definitief gaan kyk wat die situasie is met die kinders in tronke, en hierdie regering het 'n menslike begrip vir hierdie probleem. Die Minister het in sy begrotingsdebat in hierdie Raadsaal verwys na 'n moeder op die galery wat vrygelaat is, op grond van mensliewendheid. Met die bou van tronke het die departement ons deeglik ingelig oor alles wat beplan word en ons het duidelik verstaan dat hierdie tronke in fases gebou gaan word.
Ons moenie so kortsigtig wees en dan vergeet ons van die verlede nie. In die verlede was die hele beleid - en die DA was deel van daardie ou regering - een van vang hulle en hang hulle! Daar is glad nie meer daardie beleid nie. Ons het 'n heel menslike beleid. Ons wil hierdie regering en die departement baie bedank en ons ondersteun heelhartig die mensliewendheid en die kundigheid wat in die departement bestaan. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans declaration of vote follows.)
[Mr N J MACK: Hon Chairperson, the ANC supports this Budget Vote. You know, a fine balance must be maintained in Correctional Services. In the old days there were prisons, and we were regarded as convicts. The big change has already taken place and now we have corrective measures. We are trying to reform people.
The portfolio committee of the NA visited Pollsmoor yesterday and the government definitely went to see what the situation is with regard to children in prisons, and this government has empathy for this problem. In his budget debate in this Council, the Minister referred to a mother on the gallery who had been released on humane grounds. Regarding the construction of prisons, the department has informed us thoroughly about everything that is being planned and we clearly understood that these prisons would be built in phases. We should not be so short-sighted and then forget about the past. The whole policy in the past - and the DA was part of that old government - was a matter of: Catch them and hang them! That policy no longer exists. We have a quite humane policy. We want to thank this government and the department very much and we fully support the humanity and expertise that there is in the department. [Applause.]]
Division demanded.
The Council divided:
AYES - 42: Adams, F; Botha, D J; Dlulane, B N; Gamede, D D; Goeieman, M C; Hendrickse, N D; Hollander, P; Kolweni, Z S; Mabe, E S; Mack, N J; Madlala-Magubane, N M; Manyosi, A T; Masilo, J M; Matlanyane, H F; Mazibuko, N F; Mchunu, A N T; Mkhaliphi, B J; Mkono, D G; Moatshe, P; Mokoena, M L; Moseki, A L J; Mzizi, M A; Ntuli, Z C; Ntwanambi, N B; Nyanda, F; Oliphant, M N; Qikani, A N D; Ralane, T S; Robertson, M O; Setona, T S; Shiceka, S; Sibiya, J; Sogoni, E M; Sulliman, M A; Tau, R J; Themba, M P; Tolo, B J; Van Rooyen, C J; Vilakazi, J N.
Special delegates: Moerane-Mamase, N; Phenduka, N C; Radebe, M.
NOES - 9: Chen, S S; Lamoela, H; Le Roux, J W; Robinson, D; Terblanche, J F; Thetjeng, O M; Van Heerden, F J; Watson, A; Worth, D A.
ABSTAIN - 1: Matlhoahela, B L.
Vote accordingly agreed to.
Vote No 21 - Defence - put and agreed to (Democratic Alliance and Freedom Front Plus dissenting). Vote No 22- Independent Complaints Directorate - put and agreed to (Democratic Alliance dissenting).
Vote No 23- Justice and Constitutional Development - put.
Declarations of vote: