... senior prosecutor for the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, was suspended in a bid to stop her from prosecuting former crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli, in the case involving Sishen and Imperial Crown Trading, ICT.
We know about the CARgate, hon Minister, the Zuptagate and the Nkandlagate. But I am sure that if we investigate, I have no doubt that we will uncover the "Miningate". [Interjections.]
The NDP refers to the shrinkage as an opportunity lost in the mining industry. The NDP further lists the following constraints: an uncertain regulatory framework, uncertainty around property rights, electricity shortages and prices, infrastructure weaknesses, and I will add one more point: heavy political interference.
Who is to blame for the uncertainty in the regulatory framework? Who is to blame for the uncertainty around property rights? Who is to blame for the electricity shortages and prices in this country and for the infrastructure weaknesses? [Interjections.] Who is to blame for the environmental damage and acid-water drainage? The answer is short: the ANC-led government!
Could the answer lie in the severe labour unrest in this country? Cosatu itself has acknowledged that the National Union of Mineworkers, was losing ground and that they have become fat cats, corrupted by greed, money and political favours at the expense of the poor guys, the grassroots workers they are supposed to represent.
It is said that at the Lonmin Mine car park you cannot differentiate between the cars driven by mine executives and those driven by Num shop stewards. South Africa is the only country in the world where shop stewards are earning R1,5 million per year, whilst mineworkers live in rudimentary shacks made of plastic, metal and wood, with no electricity. There are no sewerage systems, and the tracks between the shacks serve as roads.
Shockingly, 9 000 of Lonmin's 33 000 employees are engaged through labour brokers. Rumours accuse the ANC's deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, of being the Dr Evil behind labour brokerage and the Marikana Massacre.
It is alleged that Ramaphosa's labour brokerage takes as much as 50% of a poor worker's money. The most serious indictment against the governance of this country by the ANC and the state of mining in this country was the most unfortunate and damning event post liberation: the Marikana Massacre.
We need to ask why such a violent and forceful response was taken by the SA Police Service. We need to ask why 34 workers were killed by their very own government. These workers were not even destroying property, whereas the recent truck drivers' strike saw trucks being destroyed. None of these workers was dealt with in the same way as the miners were dealt with. This begs the question, hon Minister: In whose interest was government acting? [Interjections.]
The involvement of government officials in mining companies is undermining democracy, causing tension and conflict. Hon Minister, do you not see the dangers of deploying prominent politicians to the boards of mining companies and positions?
Hon Minister, this failing government is failing our people. The time has come to have accountable, reliable and incorruptible leaders. Thank you. [Applause.]