Chairperson, the misuse of statistics can produce subtle but serious errors in description and interpretation - subtle in the sense that experienced professionals make such serious errors; and serious in the sense that such errors can lead to devastating decisions.
Social policy, medical practice and the reliability of structures like bridges all rely on the proper use of statistics. Even when statistics are applied, the results can be difficult to interpret for those who lack the expertise.
It goes without saying, therefore, that statistics is a complex subject for those who study it extensively, but more so for a lay person. Having said that, we cannot continue to pardon our ignorance concerning statistics. Statistics form a key, basic tool in business and manufacturing. They are Fused to understand measurement system variability, and control processes and the summarising of data, and to make data-driven decisions. In these roles, statistics are a key tool and, perhaps, the only reliable tool.
It is our view, as the UCDP, that studies in statistics need to be introduced as early as possible to our learners so that it does not continue to be a scarce skill and so that we can alleviate the general ignorance on statistics.
At an applied level, we need to develop a system whereby Statistics SA does not rely upon available data which is usually made available by other entities or departments, to formulate statistics. Perhaps it should rather have a co-ordinated data collection system where Statistics SA would be able to collect data from the original source.
It is always embarrassing to find that after certain statistics have been issued, for instance crime statistics, allegations that stats have been tampered with, emerge. We particularly cannot continue to have a case like the one referred to by hon Singh: the incident in 2009 in Pietermaritzburg, in which Constable Craig Josiah was suspended because of exposing the fraudulent activities in the capturing of crime statistics.
These are statistics that individuals rely upon to make real, serious life decisions, like where to buy their homes. We must ensure that these should not be tampered with. Apart from anything else, we can only tackle the problems when we know about them and their intensity. Therefore, if we continue to tamper with the statistics, we might fail to know the seriousness of the matter and therefore make flawed decisions.
I will be ending my speech by congratulating the hon Minister on having led this department so well. It is one of the few departments that is running their financial management very, very well. The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa, tried by all means to call it out, but we couldn't, because they have done a very good job. Congratulations, hon Minister. [Applause.]
The UCDP accepts and supports the Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]