Hon Chairperson and honourable House, firstly, allow me to commend the hon Tau on his comprehensive speech or report. It was impressive. Thank you. The National Council of Provinces represents the provinces in order to ensure that the provincial interests are taken into account in the national government's programme of action.
In order for this mandate to be effective, it is imperative that the NCOP go out to the provinces to gauge how government action is impacting the provinces. The provincial week, therefore, is instrumental in the NCOP and provinces examining problems and establishing collaborative approaches in seeking solutions and devising mechanisms to address the needs of the people of South Africa.
Do we have problems that need solutions? To answer this question, let us consider the fact that South Africa probably has more social protests than anywhere else in the world. On average, there are 16 protests taking place daily. What is that? What does it mean? It says that the problems are mounting. It warns that time is running out. Meanwhile, the price of electricity is climbing, jobs are vanishing, people no longer have patience, and we no longer have time.
We began our provincial week programme by visiting the Molemole Municipality. When we arrived there, we found that only R3,7 million had been spent on the building of 200 units. This shows that the communities were not given the services they deserve.
Cope condemns this. It is unacceptable. Worse still was the deplorable condition of the house we went to. It was the house of a Mr Tau - not the hon Tau that we have here. We found that the house that was built was appalling, and the delegation ordered that the house be taken down and rebuilt. With regard to the Sibaila family's house, we found that the foundation was laid in 2004 but no house was built. The MEC also confirmed this. What a devastating admission. The government is being robbed left, right and centre. All the tenders are there, but then the tenderers just vanish.
In the Eastern Cape on the 8th, it was found that the problem that had been raised during the visit of the NCOP had not been resolved. They were still sitting on it.
In conclusion, Cope wants to ask the government to please step up and start working. Thank you. [Applause.]