Hon Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Deputy Minister Malusi Gigaba, MECs, members of the NCOP and guests, I greet you all. Hon Minister and Deputy Minister, did you hear the complaints from the opposition party? These are due to the fact that this department is moving.
NgesiXhosa sithi: Izinja zikhonkotha inqwelo ehambayo, xa imile ... Uyakuzigqibezelela ke lawundini. [In isiXhosa we say: Dogs bark at a moving vehicle only; when it is stationary ... the reader will complete the saying for himself.]
This Budget Vote debate takes place within the overarching role of the department with regard to regulation of movements of the people. This relates to issues of immigration, refugee asylum seekers and active citizenry. The ANC recognises the Department of Home Affairs with its central role in building constitutional democracy with regular multiparty elections. It enhances popular participation of the citizens to shape their own destiny. The campaign that has been launched by this ANC government has proved this democracy.
We regard Home Affairs as a strategic piece of state machinery to contribute to the building of a developmental state. It continues to keep the relationship between the state and its people. This relationship should be mutual, permitting active involvement of our people to advance the cause of democracy. It is against this background that we can assess the extent of the budget allocation. The allocation of the budget reflects a steady decline. This objective reality needs to be assessed against the priorities of the strategic plan of the Department of Home Affairs and the centrality of immigration policies and functions.
The ANC policy on migration, immigration and refugees is very clear. Our point of departure is that if migration is managed properly, it can lead to development, economic and gross domestic product, GDP, growth of the country, with benefits to all. We need to understand that we are talking about different categories of people such as economic migrants and those who believe that certain circumstances militate against their interests in such a manner that one is compelled to seek refuge in a foreign country.
Many countries face a pattern of migration, namely forced migration experienced by people who are victims of war, violence, human trafficking and so on. This is an internationally prevalent challenge. Migration has become more complex due to the globalisation process. Labour migrants have the potential to contribute towards the growth of the economy if their skills are utilised appropriately for development.
My comradely advice to the Minister and Deputy Minister is that managing migration flow needs strengthening of ports of entry and border control mechanisms. It requires the department to be able to read and regulate the movement of people in and out of our borders. With the hosting of the Fifa World Cup, this becomes more urgent. Communities that are situated near the borders seem to point at the lack of control at our borders and ports of entry, ingakumbi kwela cala lam [especially in my area].
However, significant progress has also been made with regard to capacity constraints and improvement of infrastructure. The Department of Home Affairs has consistently treated the fight against corruption as a priority and has given its full support to the anticorruption partnerships. A national anticorruption programme was developed and adopted by the public, business and civil society. Even the opposition parties do agree today that this department is doing away with corruption.
With regard to the flow of skills into the public sector, the customisation of the induction and orientation programme for pilot departments is progressing. However, there are challenges. Basic service delivery, infrastructure development and municipal capacity require specific intervention. Access to services and the quality of services need to be accelerated. Infrastructure development requires specific focus on infrastructure rehabilitation and the capacity to manage infrastructure. The Department of Home Affairs currently has a wide variety of software and hardware.
In order for the Department of Home Affairs to achieve its strategic imperative of service delivery improvement, one of the key projects to embark on is office connectivity which seeks to address connectivity and standardise infrastructure. This will increase the productivity of end users; ease support and maintenance; enhance reliability; improve security control; and reduce cost of ownership. Acceleration of service delivery also needs offices to be accessible to communities.
Ndimvile uMphathiswa xa ebesithi masivule ii-ofisi zethu, eyam sele ivulekile. ISebe leMicimbi yezeKhaya liyayisebenzisa kwingingqi yam yovoto. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[I heard the Minister when she was saying we must open our offices; mine is already open. The Department of Home Affairs is using it in my constituency.]
The department has to accelerate the partnership-based approach. This recognises that the Department of Home Affairs needs co-operation from other government departments, and society at large. There is also a need to strengthen the border posts. While on the one hand it is necessary to speed up satellite infrastructure to ensure connectivity, it is equally important to have the border posts network incorporated into the overall departmental network. This approach could help in integrating these border posts into the Department of Home Affairs' single network.
The transformation of Home Affairs gradually gained momentum. We are witnessing deep and fundamental change. However, it is noticeable that the transformation process within the department will not be an overnight exercise and as a result it requires more budget allocation to ensure the necessary resources.
The new systems and re-engineered processes are crucial. The changes at Home Affairs will be driven and sustained only if there are enough budgetary resources, together with skilled and patriotic people to implement the departmental plan. The ANC refers to the entrenchment of a consciousness that seeks to serve the people with dignity and dedication.
However, it also means that as the transition from the old Department of Home Affairs model to the new one takes place, there is a need to consolidate some gains. The department should ensure that people are able to do the jobs that they are required to do and are placed in positions in terms of their strength, skill level and experience. Much of this hinges on training and equipping people with skills. During the presentation we will show some of the things that have already been done in this regard.
The department offers various services to the citizens of South Africa as well as to foreigners who wish to visit or stay in the country. Most of the time, the successful delivery of these services relies not only on internal efforts, but also on the public taking the responsibility to provide the department with the correct documentation at the correct service delivery points.
Through effective use of the budget there is a need to harness all the support and energy. This includes building a developmental state capacity to mobilise both human and capital resources for a better life for all. In this regard, the key task is to implement plans and service delivery, including the mobilisation of other stakeholders to accelerate service delivery. This relates to the overhaul of the system and practices to create conducive conditions for delivery. Furthermore, this requires consistent training and development of all staff in order for them to champion transformation.
The role of the Department of Home Affairs is ... The ANC supports the Department of Home Affairs' Budget Vote. I thank you, Chairperson. [Time expired.]