Chairman, we have always supported the Budget Vote for Land Affairs, because we truly believe that land must be more evenly distributed. This year, however, we have decided not to support the Budget Vote, because of three specific reasons. I gave various examples of each in the budget debate. They are, firstly, expropriated funds not spent; secondly, ineffective administration, and thirdly, irresponsible statements made by senior officials of the department.
An opposition party can only express its dissatisfaction with the performance of a department and its Minister by voting against the Budget Vote. They cannot intervene and rectify, but the Minister can.
In our view, the outgoing Minister could have done much more about the above-stated problems. She must have known about the underspending, the irresponsible statements, and the poor administrative process euphemistically spelt out by her Deputy, and I quote, ``We have many problems on the administrative level''. Yet she did nothing, as far as we know.
We will monitor the new Minister, and see if she will attend to these problems. I don't see her here; I hope she is working. We cannot support the Budget Vote on Land Affairs. Thank you.