Chairperson, the subject matter about the Gautrain cable thefts seems quite simplistic, but it hides a complexity that deserves proper attention. It is a little loose thread in our society - one of many - that, if pulled, reveals flaws in our society and the lack of policy response thereto by government.
We can start by asking why, in the first place, people steal Gautrain cables or anything else for that matter. This could lead us to the inference that people steal mostly, but not always, because they do not have jobs and find it difficult to make a decent living. We can then ask why they do not have jobs.
It is our view that the current economic system in South Africa contains certain internal inconsistencies that allow the system to work against itself, like affirmative action and black economic empowerment that carve minority expertise, experience and mentorship out of the system. External factors that undermine the economic system, like corruption and flawed procurement based on patronage, have now almost become endogenous to government.
If we can start fixing the economy from a systemic perspective, we will be surprised at the growth in quality jobs and the concomitant reduction in cable theft in general, but also with regard to the Gautrain itself.
Ons kan ook vra waarom daar iets soos die Gautrain in die eerste plek is. Sekerlik nie sodat kabels gesteel kan word nie. Die trein moet tog bydra tot ons vervoeruitdagings, maar indien ons verder kyk, kom die besef dat die projek nooit ingepas het in enige ... [Tussenwerpsels.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[We can also ask why there has to be something like the Gautrain in the first place. Surely this is not so that cables can be stolen. This train should be contributing in respect of our transport challenges, but if one looks closely, one realises that the project never did fit into any ... [Interjections.]]