Hon Speaker, hon President and hon Deputy President, the PAC welcomes the good tidings that President Nelson Mandela is responding well to treatment. Hon President, this must be the best news you have shared with us today. We also wish to say a big thank you to the doctors, nurses and the entire hospital personnel for making Tata comfortable in this hour of need.
Leaders are supposed to lead by example. In a country that is going through a rough economic patch, we expect the Presidency to be thoughtful in its use of public funds. Reports on KwaZulu-Natal's department of sport and recreation secretly spending R4,2 million on football pitches at the President's home in Nkandla do not augur well for this country. It seems that every sphere of government is obliged to contribute towards the Presidency's welfare. Besides this august House, who else is budgeting for the Presidency? All this information must come to light so that we do not overbudget.
Leaders are supposed to practise what they preach. From the summit of power in Mahlambandlovu, the gospel is loud and clear - do more with less. Is the Presidency doing more with less? Or is it doing less with more? [Interjections.] The nation is suffocating under corruption as leaders steal from followers and the rich steal from the poor with impunity. Even top ANC leader Gwede Mantashe aptly observed that corruption has been elevated to an industry of its own. Who are the captains of this evil industry? [Interjections.] The Presidency seems to be helpless and motionless in the face of corruption.
The PAC cannot and will never support the Presidency's budget when state machinery is used to destroy the party of Sobukwe. [Interjections.]