Chairperson, I, as a member of the ACDP, was a member of the portfolio committee during the dark years, and we are really pleased to see how the department has turned around, and the progress that has been made. Yes, there are some remaining challenges, but it is a real sign of how a department can be turned around successfully and be a model for other departments that are facing similar turnaround strategies. [Applause.]
I think it is very important to understand the need for the speedy obtaining of identity documents, IDs, and for the obtaining of social grants, since we have approximately 13 million people on social grants. That is a huge contribution that we make to alleviating poverty in our country.
We referred to the Independent Electoral Commission, IEC, earlier in the debate, and we also wish to share the sentiments with regard to the professionalism around the IEC. Possibly one aspect that one needs to look at as we move towards elections - and it was raised in the committee's report - is the possible involvement of presiding officers and staff with political parties, and any impact that it might have on the independence of the IEC. I am sure that the IEC is attending to that.
The Deputy Minister referred, with great passion, to the good work done by the Film and Publication Board. I want to share that sentiment with her, and also welcome her guests, whom she referred to. However, I would like to add one aspect, and that is that I am sure the board must be disappointed about the decision by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, Icasa, to allow a pornography channel on Top.tv.
As the ACDP we, and I'm sure many people who objected to that, believe that pornography contributes to the scourge of sexual violence in our country. Yes, there might be human rights arguments as well, but what about the human rights of the women who are being demeaned by pornographic films? Surely that is also a debate that we need to open in South Africa. It is very obvious that this channel is bankrupt ... [Applause.] ... and is now looking to increase its viewership. This is something that we really need to look into. In our view, pornography is the theory; rape is the practice.
There were also some references made to court cases and the Western Cape court case about the closure of the refugee centres and judgments not being adhered to, and I would like the Minister to respond to that. I know that she was given time in the Western Cape to comply with the order, but it obviously is a concern. I would like her to address that.
As far as the Lindela Repatriation Centre is concerned, there has been improvement, but again there are concerns about abuses that have arisen. Maybe it's time to look again, as the Minister indicated, at external monitoring. I understand that when she visited the centre earlier, she said that this was something that one could look at. We know the SA Human Rights Commission has a mandate to visit it, but clearly we need to look at external monitoring and to allow people ... [Inaudible.] The ACDP will support this Budget Vote. [Time expired.] [Applause.]