Speaker, I have never in my entire life seen the ANC as embarrassed as it is today. [Applause.] Look at the hon members on this side. [Applause.]
The Minister of Home Affairs, Naledi Pandor, said much on this issue, but she knew that 207 wedding guests would be landing at Waterkloof Air Force Base in a matter of hours. Her voice should have been the first to be heard here in Parliament.
And, hon Minister, correct me if I am wrong: South Africa has an advanced passenger information system that tells you which plane is coming when, who is sitting where and what is going on. The Minister must inform this Parliament, through the advanced passenger information system, who boarded that flight and what their purpose was in coming here. Advanced passenger processing is an additional layer of security that enables us to perform preclearance of travellers. This system is operational in several countries, including India. All international airlines are required to provide information about passengers and crew within 15 minutes of take-off of all flights.
Let me list the departments that use this system. They are Home Affairs, the State Security Agency, the SA Revenue Service and the SA Police Service. It is therefore hard to believe that the Minister was not aware of what was about to happen. Home Affairs personnel were ready and waiting at Waterkloof to process all the guests. Didn't anyone from the department raise a warning flag then?
Our Home Affairs website states that the Waterkloof Air Force Base is not an official port of entry. The Immigration Act further states that no one may enter at the said location, unless a letter by the director-general is issued and an individual has a certificate from the Minister of Home Affairs, who has the power to exempt such an individual.
Minister Radebe, you indicated on 3 May that the Department of Home Affairs' immigration officers processed all passengers who landed there. The question remains: Who summoned Home Affairs to Waterkloof? Who cares ... [Interjections.] The Minister herself attended the wedding. [Applause.] Minister Gordhan, what happened to the customs officials? Was there no communication between Home Affairs and Sars on the over 200 people arriving there? Weddings bring with them both guests and gifts. Guests bring luggage, and anything and everything else. Gifts have monetary value. How much money did we lose from this little hiccup in your department?
Minister Cwele, what astonishes me about you is that state security in South Africa has become a laughing stock under your leadership. [Applause.] The judgment given by the learned judge in the case of Sheryl Cwele & another v The State emphasised the need to step up security when it comes to people moving in and out of this country. But what did you do? [Interjections.] It happened under your nose. Which Minister will be taking responsibility for this? All of you! I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]