The South African public has a contract with these people. It has invested its faith in their ability to deliver, not in the pretence that they are able to explain their failures, but on the understanding that if they do not meet their obligations, action will be taken to correct those shortcomings.
The Minister of Finance seems to understand this. He stated last week that there must be consequences for failure in the same way that there are rewards for excellent performance. This is the government's ultimate test: whether it can restore accountability's meaning and place it at the centre of best democratic practice.
The DA supports any initiative that has this objective at its heart. Time will tell whether commitment to this principle will be matched with the appropriate behaviour. I thank you. [Applause.]