Mr Speaker, I agree with the previous speaker that it is time to get rid of this government. But I want to say to the hon Minister that when the IFP becomes the government next year, we will keep you as the Minister of Justice. [Laughter.] I also thought that hon Landers and hon Smuts have made excellent contributions. They analysed the Bill and they mentioned many comments about it. I enjoyed listening to both of them, although they don't agree with each other.
My colleague, Dr Ambrosini, attended the meetings of the justice committee in respect of this Bill. I therefore do not have the benefit of all the discussions and will thus only make some basic statements, in particular why we do not support the Bill.
The Bill has been a major source of contention within the legal industry with proponents and detractors. It is common cause that our legal profession requires some review and the committee has tried to find the thin line between what was in the best interests of the public and the profession.
I now want to deal with some of our important objections. Firstly, the independence of lawyers is under attack, and the Minister gets the power to effectively control the judicial system. Secondly, the soon to be established South African Legal Practice Council will, in terms of clause 4, "exercise jurisdiction over all legal practitioners" and candidate legal practitioners. This council therefore effectively centralises control of the judiciary in the hands of the ANC executive.
Thirdly, the creation of provincial councils will have a huge cost effect, not only in respect of money but also administration. And I wonder where the money will come from, because a proper and an in-depth budget has not been prepared. Fourthly, as far as legal costs are concerned, the limitation thereof may assist some clients, but fees are market-related. If you want to brief the Jeremy Gauntletts, you pay them R40 000 a day or they do not accept your brief.
In conclusion, the Bill has good clauses, but the objections I have raised make it impossible for the IFP to support the Bill. The IFP will therefore oppose the Bill. Sorry, Minister. [Laughter.] [Applause.]