Chairperson, as usual, I avoid getting into confrontations with members who speak on behalf of their parties, even if they are wrong. [Interjections.] However, allow me to acknowledge and thank members for their input, particularly the hon Mr Steyn from the DA and the hon Van der Merwe from the IFP, who will definitely look at the Hansard to have a look at the suggestions we are making so that we can see how we help each other to improve when we need to do so. I would also like to thank the hon Steyn for quoting me. I am really quoted! [Laughter.] [Interjections.]
Allow me also to express my disappointment in the hon Shinn and hon Kilian.
HON MEMBERS: Ah, no!
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY - PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION, AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION: My disappointment is on two aspects. The first is that we are being asked to defend The New Age, and we will never do that, because it is not our job. The New Age will defend themselves. [Applause.] [Interjections.] Unfortunately, they are not here in Parliament, but if you go and contact them, they can defend themselves. [Interjections.]
The second is my disappointment in the hon Shinn, who completely misunderstood what we said in the statement about the SA Democratic Teachers' Union, Sadtu. Let me repeat it so that members may understand and know why we issued the statement. Our point was that we cannot allow strikes that are not legal, strikes that are violent, and behaviour that will undermine our democracy. It was not in defence of the Minister; it was in defence of the principle. Whatever action we take in exercising our rights as citizens, we should not end up with unintended consequences, such that generations to come will think that this is the type of democracy we wanted. It is not. [Applause.] [Interjections.] Alright. They are the same. [Interjections.] Whoever. [Laughter.]
So, it is important for society as a whole, whether you like the ANC or not, it is important for us to understand that the actions we take today should not, in themselves, end up undermining the democracy that we want, in the form of us exercising our rights. We have to continue making that statement. Anybody who acts in a manner that undermines our democracy whether you are from the ANC, the PAC, Cope, the DA, wherever, all of us have to speak in a similar voice to ensure that we build a democracy and a society that our future generations will be proud of. [Interjections.] [Applause.]
The second point I wanted to address is this. In our quest to fight our own battles, we should not undermine the principles of our democracy and shift from what we think we believe in only to expose ourselves to show that we actually do not. Freedom of expression, freedom of movement, freedom of choice and to allow people to trade and to do business wherever they want to ... [Interjections.] If you want to fight another battle, at least be consistent. If you think there is something wrong with any action we take, take us to court or to the Public Protector. We will oblige if we are found wanting. If we are doing something wrong, take us to the committee. We are here. We subject ourselves to the accountability of Parliament. It does not help us to stand up and shout, to the extent that we undermine the very same principles we want to explain to our people so that they may understand them.
I would like to thank the members for the contributions they have made. I think we are going to assist each other to build this society. I confirm that, yes, we run the Government Communication and Information Service, GCIS, in the Western Cape jointly with the government of the Western Cape. We have not experienced any problems with them. We are working together properly, like any other part of the country. [Interjections.]
Let me explain to you the complication with regard to the Thusong Service Centres. They were established initially as information centres. They were then transformed into service centres. What does that mean? It means that before one puts up a Thusong Service Centre in a particular place, one must first budget to put computers and other stuff, as well as all the other departments, there. That is the complication. We are working together with all the departments, municipalities and other stakeholders to try and resolve that issue. The issue is, to what extent, and how, can we extend the services to the community as a whole without expanding and ballooning the budgets and the organisational structures of other departments. Thank you very much.
Debate concluded.