Thank you, Deputy Speaker, despite many successes of the late Minister, particularly around the Expanded Public Works Programme, the ID is unable to support the Budget Vote. We feel that the Department has done insufficient work with regard to making public and government buildings accessible for people with disabilities. This fact was recently highlighted by the damning judgement handed down in the equality court in Port Elizabeth for not making a newly- built police station accessible. The ID believes that the Department of Public Works should be making a more concerted effort in making government buildings accessible to all, including people with disabilities, who represent approximately 7 million South Africans.
The ID will unfortunately not be able to support this budget.