Hon House Chair, first of all I would like to appreciate the support given by the portfolio committee under the leadership of our very highly skilled Advocate De Lange, who always helps us with legal issues, and the House. All hon members supported the Bill, and we are really grateful.
I would like to assure hon members of one or two things. Indeed, hon member Morgan, the House at large and South Africans as a whole, we are going to deal with this issue of pseudo hunters. We will not let it go. Let's not increase cases on the Public Protector's roll. We'll definitely deal with it, you must know that.
We are also going to look at the marine living resources. We assure you that the amendments that we are intending to make will actually be considered at the appropriate time, because they have to do with the issues that concern marine living resources, and not with where certain aspects of the Bills or the Acts are. We will wait patiently, but at the right time we'll deal with that, as the chairperson has said.
We are dealing with the issues raised about pseudo hunters in relation to the weaknesses in the system, especially in the North West and Limpopo provinces. All members of the portfolio committee know that we will make a real follow-up on those issues, and this is the reason why we are making these amendments here today. Hon member from Cope, I think that before one of you could also walk out and follow the DA, let's not make a hype of these things, of holding the executive responsible, and so on. Yes, we want to be held responsible and accountable, but not where it is not necessary. We are always really acting on all these things, and you know that very well.
I just want to appreciate hon Zikalala's comments. Unfortunately, we'll also be listening to the issues about environmental impact assessments, EIAs, and so on, as we deal with the remaining aspects of the Bill next year.
Hon Holomisa, the issues about bioprospecting are real. Let me assure you that when we went to Komaggas, in the Northern Cape, we had already left the people - the ordinary community members - with R5 million upfront for bioprospecting permits. Therefore, this is actually the intention, and that's why we are dealing so with this issue.
Overall, we appreciate all the support, even if we didn't touch on the other issues raised by other members. The member from the ANC, Mr Skosana, thanks also for helping in responding and touching on some of the issues. I therefore appreciate it and would also like to move that the Bill be supported by the House. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Bill read a second time.