Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon colleagues, let me start by thanking the Minister for making herself available for this debate about the report. Illegal mining has taken a lot out of our country in terms of finance. Research has shown that R10 million leaves the country per year.
Thank you, Minister, for your consideration. It shows that government, the ANC-led government and the ANC Ministers are really passionate about delivering on the instructions that they got from the President and from the ruling party.
It is quite strange because this illegal mining activity happens on privately-owned mines. The Minister could have just folded her arms and said, "It's privately-owned property, they must deal with it!" But because - and I want the DA to listen, especially hon Faber and hon Watson - we have a caring government that does not only care about money, but cares about the people of South Africa as well, the Minister took those steps.
Hon Watson, if you listened, you would have heard what steps Minister has taken. Hon Watson and hon Faber, the Minister took proactive steps!
The DA is criticising, but doesn't come up with solutions to the problems. The ANC and the Minister took steps to curb this. As I said, it is privately-owned property! We need to give the DA a lesson on the distinction between state- and privately-owned property.
Without any waste of time, I want to put the recommendations of the committee. The committee has sat and felt that a debate is necessary because this is of national interest. The committee has come up with certain recommendations. I would like to thank the members of the committee who have been proactive, who went to Welkom and engaged with various people there.
The committee has recommended that the Department of Mining and the Department of Police should report back to Parliament. Thank you, Minister, for doing that. Thank you for the willingness you have shown on a regular basis regarding the progress made in respect of remedial steps taken by the state, mining houses and mine owners to combat and prevent illegal mining, and improve the security and safety at mines.
Parliament needs to tighten the laws pertaining to the Justice cluster, and the Minister has alluded to that. Thank you, once again, Minister.
Hon Sinclair, be assured, I am not an imbongi for the Minister, but we need to give praise where it is due. You could see that she is a hands-on Minister. She is not a Minister who serves the "congress of the people of Europe," as one of your colleagues has spelt it out. She is a Minister for the people of South Africa.
THE HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Mr R J Tau): Order! Is that a point of order?