Thank you, Chair. In the Makhaza open toilet scandal, the DA once more was taught a lesson in human rights by the SA Human Rights Commission itself, that found residents' constitutional dignity was impeded upon. The City of Cape Town's very own forensic report was damning of the so-called toilet with a view. The only view anybody had was of a person in a minute of vulnerability.
Hon Zille fired 13 officials of the Social Transformation Programme and the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, CCMA, found it unlawful and unconstitutional. Does this only happen in Cape Town? No, it is a trend where the DA rules.
Lastly, we also saw this in Midvaal, the municipality which is the so- called flagship of DA rule. There is an investigation, because that council and some individuals stole people's houses from under them, and many more things happened there. A can of worms has been opened, and these DA worms are crawling in all directions to run away from other DA scandals.
Chair, it is common knowledge that the DA is bad news for poor people in areas ruled by that power-hungry and trigger-crazy party. Where the DA rules, people's water is cut. In some cases, not a drop reaches people's homes to ensure the basic free allocation and the constitutional right of access to water, hon Watson. Chair, people receive threatening pink letters, and it does not end there. In fact, people are evicted at an alarming rate from Hangberg to Schaapkraal. The uncaring DA wants to throw people off land. It renders people homeless without proper alternatives that see other established human rights infringed upon.
Chairperson, it is a well-known fact that homeless people also have difficulty in accessing basic services. The right to a healthy environment and health care, the right to schooling, and the right to decent living and dignity as well as the right to adequate housing all come under pressure. Children's rights also come under severe attack, but it does not end there either.
We saw how the DA in Cape Town treats poor people trying to find even casual work. Under its nuisance bylaw, it uses silly reasons to persecute those who serve the rich in leafy suburbs. Recently, the city was urged by a DA councillor to clear up the Brackenfell area of job seekers on a Saturday that looked too untidy for her liking. They were put in vans, taken away, profiled and fined. Instead of earning a meal for their families, they had to pay R100 each as an admission of guilt. The DA city acts against those earning an honest living without providing space where casual workers may find someone who needs assistance. No, they see them as a distraction to traffic, no rights and no alternatives. The DA city just clamps down without any regard for human rights or any rights.
This is the true DA, this is the DA unmasked, and this is the DA that preaches to others but indulges in the opposite, hon Hartnick. Through you, Chair, when the DA speaks about constitutionality, human rights and the coming holiday, we have to measure it by what it actually does to human beings and the bloody tracks behind where their dignity and rights are trampled on.
That is why, Chairperson, none of us can keep quiet when actions of indignity or indecency are practised towards those in society that are not able to defend themselves. The Constitution, the Freedom Charter and other documents are clear - South Africa belongs to all who live in it. The wealth of the country will be shared among all people. There will be measures in place to see that every child receives the best education. There will be shelter, sanitation, water and adequate housing and not only for the DA. That is the cornerstone on which the ANC builds its vision for generations to come. I thank you. [Applause.]