Speaker, I am sure the Deputy Minister is familiar with the expression that justice should not merely be done, but be seen to be done. In the same way, we have an independent Municipal Demarcation Board. We call it "independent" - it should not merely act independently, but be seen to be doing so.
I put to the Deputy Minister the fact that its behaviour over several years has given rise to a growing perception that it is not the independent body that it purports to be. He may or may not agree with the factual case being made. Certainly, the perceptions out there are growing that the board does not act as it should.
The board is due for renewal. The government's behaviour itself has sometimes been questionable. Would the Deputy Minister commit himself and his department to ensuring that whenever this board is changed, as is due soon, it is staffed with people who are fully committed to fearlessly maintaining the integrity and independence of the board, and not succumbing to behaviour which results in perceptions of their being partisan?