Hon speaker, the Bill before us, the Public Administration Management Bill, has been in the making longer than any other Bill in this democratic Parliament, you know that. It was conceptualised in 2002. There was a need to create uniform standards across all spheres of government, and we all know that. The Bill was then placed before Parliament as early as 2007, but was withdrawn in 2008 for the purpose of thorough consultation - which is what has happened - and to ensure that all other areas are aligned.
The department worked in restructuring all areas of the Bill; we, as the committee, were also part of these engagements. It has also been called to Parliament from time to time in 2012 to ensure that all possible complaints as well as any unconstitutional issues were dealt with.
In the past two years, the Ministry consulted widely with no more than 400 interested parties and entities, NGOs, private individuals, civic organisations, organised labour and the state entities, hence the member who is here knows the National Economic Development and Labour Council process - which is very critical. Several workshops, where members were part of this, were conducted. They were held with some of the top legal minds in the country.
We are more than convinced that anybody who stands against this Bill is doing it because they live in luxury where service delivery is not a problem. Anybody who is opposed to this Bill does not know the poverty of the poorest of the poor. The DA is objecting to this Bill, because they have contributed absolutely nothing.
Actually, the DA's reshuffling of members, moving them from one committee to another, was a disservice to them. They moved members in and out of committees and brought in members who didn't even have any background in those committees. They were shooting themselves in the foot. They need to learn that if they randomly change committee members, actually, in the end, those members are not helpful in the committees. Instead these members lack capacity and ultimately are not of any help to us. They are just baggage that is carried along by the ANC.
This is the best Bill to solve problems in this country such as municipal strikes. The ANC says yes to professionalising the Public Service, but the DA says no. Read them for who they are. The ANC says yes to the effective use of resources, but the DA says no, yet they always squabble about it. The ANC says services have to be provided fairly and equitably, but the DA says no - they will vote no even now. The ANC says yes to stopping corruption and corrupt practices in the Public Service, but the DA says no, yet they are always complaining about corruption. When we come up with measures to deal with that directly, they say no. The ANC says yes to good governance, but the DA says no. Let the entire South Africa know that this is the message that the DA is sending, negativity and selfishness. Thank you. [Time expired.]. [Applause.]
Question put: That the Bill be read a second time.
Division demanded.
The House divided.
AYES - 233: Adams, P E; Ainslie, A R; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bapela, K O; Beukman, F; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, F; Bhengu, P; Bhoola, R B; Bikani, F C; Bogopane-Zulu, H I; Bonhomme, T; Booi, M S; Borman, G M; Boshigo, D F; Botha, Y R; Botha, T; Bothman, S G; Burgess, C V; Carrim, Y I; Cebekhulu, R N; Chikunga, L S; Chili, D O; Chiloane, T D; Chohan, F I; Coleman, E M; Cronin, J P; Dambuza, B N; Daniels, P N; Davies, R H; De Lange, J H; Diale, L N; Diemu, B C; Dikgacwi, M M; Dikobo, K J; Dlakude, D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlomo, B J; Dlulane, B N; Dubazana, Z S; Dube, M C; Duma, N M; Dunjwa, M L; Ferguson, B D; Frolick, C T; Fubbs, J L; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gaum, A H; Gcwabaza, N E; Gelderblom, J P; Gigaba, K M N; Gina, N; Gololo, C L; Goqwana, M B; Gumede, D M; Holomisa, S P; Huang, S B; Jeffery, J H; Joemat- Pettersson, T M; Johnson, M; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Kholwane, S E; Khumalo, F E; Khunou, N P; Koornhof, G W; Kotsi, C M P; Kubayi, M T; Kwankwa, N L; Landers, L T; Lekgetho, G; Lesoma, R M M; Lishivha, T E; Luyenge, Z; Maake, J J; Mabasa, X; Mabedla, N R; Mabudafhasi, T R; Mabuza, M C; Madlala, N M; Madlopha, C Q; Magagula, V V; Magubane, E; Magwanishe, G; Makasi, X C; Makhuba, H N; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Makwetla, SP; Malale, M I; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, J M; Manamela, K B; Manana, M C; Mandela, Z M D; Manganye, J; Mangena, M S; Martins, B A D; Maserumule, F T; Mashiane, L M; Mashigo, R M; Mashishi, A C; Masilo, J M; Mathale, C C; Mathebe, D H; Mathibela, N F; Matlanyane, H F; Matshoba, J M; Maunye, M M; Mavunda, D W; Mayatula, S M; Maziya, A M; Mbalula, F A; Mdakane, M R; Mfeketo, N C; Mfulo, A; Mfundisi, I S; Mgabadeli, H C; Mjobo, L N; Mkhize, H B; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlangeni, A; Mmusi, S G; Mnisi, N A; Mocumi, P A; Moepeng, J K; Mohai, S J; Mohale, M C; Mohorosi, M M; Mokoena, A D; Molebatsi, M A; Moloi-Moropa, J C; Moloto, K A; Moss, L N; Motimele, M S; Motsepe, R M; Motshekga, M S; Mpontshane, A M; Msimang, C T; Msweli, H S; Mtshali, E; Mufamadi, T A; Mushwana, F F; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndebele, J S; Ndlazi, A Z; Nelson, W J; Nene, N M; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, B T; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngonyama, L S; Ngubeni-Maluleka, J P; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhanha, M A; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njikelana, S J; Njobe, M A A; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntuli, B M; Nwamitwa-Shilubana, T L P; Nxesi, T W; Nxumalo, M D; Nyalungu, R E; Nyanda, S; Nyekemba, E; Nzimande, B E; Oliphant, M N; Oliphant, G G; Oosthuizen, G C; Pandor, G N M; Petersen Maduna, P; Phaahla, M J; Phaliso, M N; Pilane-Majake, M C C; Pilusa-Mosoane, M E; Pule, D D; Radebe, B A; Radebe, G S; Ramatlakane, L; Ramatlhodi, N A; Ramodibe, D M; Saal, G; Schneemann, G D; Segale-Diswai, M J; Sekgobela, P S; Selau, G J; September, C C; Shabangu, S; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibiya, D; Sindane, G S; Singh, N; Sisulu, M V; Sisulu, L N; Sithole, K P; Sithole, S C N; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Smith, P F; Smith, V G; Sogoni, E M; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Sotyu, M M; Suka, L; Sulliman, E M; Sunduza, T B; Surty, M E; Thibedi, J D; Thobejane, S G; Thomson, B; Tlake, M F; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tshabalala, J; Tshwete, P; Tsotetsi, D R; Twala, N M; van Rooyen, D D ; van Wyk, A; Wayile, Z G; Williams-De Bruyn, S T; Xaba, P P; Xasa, T; Ximbi, D L; Yengeni, L E; Zikalala, C N Z; Zulu, B Z.
NOES - 20: Alberts, A D; Du Toit, N D; Dudley, C; Farrow, S B; Groenewald, P J; Kalyan, S V; Line-Hendriks, H; Lorimer, J R B; Marais, E J; Marais, S J F; Mcintosh, G B D; Mulder, C P; Mulder, P W A; Sayedali-Shah, M R; Shinn, M R; Smuts, M; Swart, S N; Swart, M; Van Schalkwyk, H C; Watson, A.
Question agreed to.
Bill accordingly read a second time.