Speaker and hon member, I will give an answer, without explaining it. [Laughter.] I think it is true that there have been incidents of xenophobia, which we acted upon immediately. Indeed, we stopped it instantly and interacted with the people.
In fact, we went to a number of areas to talk to people to resolve that question. We went to the area of Gauteng in Johannesburg, East Rand and Tshwane. Indeed, it cooled down and it disappeared. I think it has been showing itself in various areas - not only amongst ordinary people, but also in business. In Soweto, for example, business people raised their voices about the fact that foreigners were taking their businesses. Action has been taken, and I think we should continue to do so.
As long as we have poverty and the large number of foreigners, it certainly is a recipe for this problem to keep on returning. That is why it needs all of us to deal with it. We must conscientise our citizens that it is not correct to have a wrong attitude towards a foreigner, because they are our brothers and citizens of this continent and of this globe.
Of course, others come from beyond Africa, but we should be able to handle the matter. I think so far, given the number of the foreigners in South Africa, we have handled this question fairly. Thank you, hon Speaker. [Applause.]
Policy on fruitless and wasteful expenditure by national government departments
17. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) asked the President of the Republic:
What (a) policy will he lay down in response to the Auditor-General's report that fruitless and wasteful expenditure by national government departments has increased by 200% in the 2010-11 financial year (details furnished) and (b) steps are being taken (i) to recover the money and (ii) against the persons who are found to have used state funds improperly?