I will repeat my point. In 2011-12, they decided to go deeper because no one was holding them accountable. Now that we have a disclaimer, the question is: What will happen? Are we still going to get the same inefficient service from the same inefficient staff, but expect different results? The answer is no.
We, as Cope, disagree with the situation. Hon Minister, a word of caution: Administration is key to your department's ability to provide the quality service that is required by your client departments and South African citizens at large. The performance of the department is a reflection of the performance of the Minister, and a disclaimer of the department is a disclaimer of the Minister.
We, as Cope, would like to see your turnaround strategy being successfully implemented. But in order for that to happen, we challenge your department to be tough on corruption and maladministration by firing all corrupt and inefficient staff, recruiting the requisite skilled staff and retaining only hard-working staff who are willing to provide quality services that all your client departments deserve.
In conclusion, hon Minister, if this department was a private business, it would have been liquidated with its first qualified audit report, because that is when it showed signs of being unprofitable. The South African taxpayers and its citizens deserve better service from this department, and Cope challenges the hon Minister to provide that service. I thank you. [Applause.]