Madam Chairperson, this debate remains a very important aspect in a country that seeks to maintain a working democracy that still listens to the people and takes cognisance of their word. Obviously, service delivery is through state departments and therefore it is of the utmost importance that we pay attention to how the National Revenue Fund is distributed.
We have made various inputs as we debated Budget Votes for the departments. Hopefully, the issues raised will be taken seriously by the executive decision-makers because I would like to believe that this whole process is not a tick-off exercise just so that we are seen as democratic and having good governance. I would like to believe that it is a genuine process wherein the interest of the decision-makers is to listen, take responsibility and correct errors and mishaps pointed out so that at the end of the day we are all proud of the end product and receive a value-for- money service. Economic and social development depends so much on this process and a fair, reasonable distribution of funds is central.
I must point out that it is still a concern that many state departments continue to receive qualified audit reports. This is inexcusable, especially when you consider that many of such qualified reports are due to noncompliance to existing legislation that this Parliament works very hard in ensuring that it is properly consulted upon. Legislation is meant to shield individuals from making or taking personally influenced decisions, but that they align their decisions to existing procedure in legislation. Hence, I submit that nonadherence is inexcusable and it is time that we seriously look at punitive measures against such practices. We must display loyalty to principles rather than alliance to individuals.
We are concerned that the mismanagement of funds and the abuse of procurement processes more often implicate senior officials and therefore this suggests that we must look seriously at how positions are being filled. Clearly, cadre deployment is costing citizens so much in real and tangible terms. We must all know that we are having finite supply of resources and cannot continue to make such gross mistakes.
Whenever the Auditor-General reports on mismanagement of funds and irregular and wasteful expenditure, we are told that such matters are being investigated but are hardly ever told of the outcomes of such investigations. More often than not political heads are cushioned or appear to be immune from responsibility.
State-owned enterprises have been the worst performers and the individuals assigned to running them have been released with pats on the back and hefty packages, only to be redeployed somewhere else. This is a disappointing state of affairs and if we continue with this trend, the prophecies of doomsayers shall come to pass.
After many years of oppressive rule, here is a chance to prove that those who fought against it, a noble act indeed, did not only want a replacement of the skin colour of the rulers but emancipation of all people. Let such emancipation mean economic freedom for all of us. Let the decision-makers therefore not disappoint our people. With this, the UCDP supports the Appropriation Bill. [Applause.]