Hon Speaker, hon Minister, I am surprised that you are speaking on this issue this morning, because according to the Act, the Minister of Defence determines which are going to be national key points or not. That is actually an illustration - and you cannot deny it, hon Minister - that there was massive misuse of this Act to protect Nkandla. [Interjections.]
Wat is die belangrike strategiese waarde van Nkandla vir die land? Watter bedreiging is daar vir Suid-Afrika as daar 'n aanval is op Nkandla? Wie gaan in elk geval 'n aanval wil loods op Nkandla? [Tussenwerpsels.] Dit is die werklikheid. Die VF Plus stem saam: Daar moet 'n Wet op Nasionale Sleutelpunte wees. Terrorisme is lewendig in die wreld en, ja, daar moet so 'n wet wees; maar, agb Minister, dit moet duidelik wees.
As die wysigingswetsontwerp ter tafel gel word in die Parlement, dan moet daar duidelike kriteria wees van wanneer 'n bepaalde plek of instelling 'n nasionale sleutelpunt kan wees. Soos wat dit tans is, is die definisie, soos ons altyd in Afrikaans s, so wyd soos die Here se genade. Jy kan met drie ossewaens binne daardie definisie gaan draai. Dt is wanneer daar misbruik gemaak word deur 'n ANC-regering wat korrupsie wil toesmeer. Dt kan Suid-Afrika glad nie bekostig nie. Natuurlik is daar mos militre instellings, maar jy het ook nie noodwendig 'n Wet op Nasionale Sleutelpunte nodig om dit te beskerm nie. Die Wet op Verdediging gee dan ook daardie magtiging dat militre instellings in elk geval beperkte gebied is. Dit is presies die geval wat, byvoorbeeld, die Waterkloof-lugmagbasis betref, want toe was daar ook verwarring ... (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Of what strategic value is Nkandla to the country? What threat would there be to South Africa if an attack on Nkandla were to take place? Who would launch an attack on Nkandla anyway? [Interjections.] This is the reality. The FF Plus is in agreement: There has to be a National Key Points Act . Terrorism is alive in the world and, yes, there should be such an Act; but, hon Minister, it should be clear.
When the amending Bill is tabled in Parliament, there should be clear criteria as to when a specific place or installation can be regarded as a national key point. The way it is right now this definition, as we would say in Afrikaans, is as wide as the Lord's mercy. Within that definition you can whirl around with three ox wagons. That's when abuse will occur, by an ANC government that wants to cover up corruption. South Africa can ill afford that. Of course there are military installations, but you don't necessarily need a National Key Points Act to protect them. Anyway, the Defence Act already provides that military installations are restricted areas anyhow. That is precisely the case as far as the Waterkloof Air Force Base is concerned, because then there was also confusion ...]
... because, hon Minister, you said just now that all the former Presidents' homes were national key points. How do we know? I have to take your word for it. [Interjections.] I will take your word. I accept that, hon Minister, but I do not have proof of it. I do not know, because tomorrow there may be a new Minister of Police, who I do not trust ... [Interjections.] ... and then I must just accept that it is a national key point because he says so. [Interjections.]
It is unacceptable that if a Minister says it is a national key point, then it is a national key point. We have to change the Act, and yes, we will support it if it gives a very clear definition and criteria as to when an installation is a national key point. I thank you. [Applause.]