Thank you, Chairperson, for this debate. I would like to thank the chairperson, hon Adams, for leading on this matter of illegal mining, and also the hon members of the committee for the visit. Hon Bloem, apparently you are from Welkom. They say you are part of the zama zamas! [Laughter.]
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the report by the committee. We will look at what we can do, because the intention is to make sure that we continuously improve on the situation and stamp out illegal mining.
Hon Van Lingen, we have covered issues that you've raised. There is no caring government like the ANC government. I am here precisely because I care. I went to Welkom because the ANC cares. If I were a Minister under DA government, I am not sure if I would have gone to the place. [Interjections.]
I must indicate to you that I didn't just go there to visit, but to see the situation. I have even been underground, unlike you who only ends up at the top. I am not scared to confront any situation which challenges and threatens my community in South Africa. We will continue to make sure that we do the right thing. We are not going to run away. We are not going to see ourselves as useless, as you say we are. We will take responsibility.
I must indicate that the issue of mine health and safety must be separated from criminal activities. The Mine Health and Safety Act cannot regulate criminal activities. That's pure crime - let's not run away from it. It's illegal mining, whether they are driven by poverty or not. It is wrong and we cannot justify a wrong thing in this country. If we justify illegal mining, we must also justify those who are involved in cash-in-transit heists and kill our police officers and security personnel. It is the same thing. Crime is crime and it must be condemned at all times. It cannot be tolerated.
The steps that we, together with the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security, JCPS, cluster are taking are steps to make sure that we combat and eradicate these forms of activities. They have been pushed to other areas. Barberton, we are coming! Rest assured, we are not lame ducks, especially not me. I am not a lame duck. Hon Makhubela of Cope can attest to that. When I make an undertaking, I live by it and make sure that I oblige.
Hon Sinclair, the ANC cares. It cared yesterday, it cares today and it will care tomorrow. That is why we will make sure that we involve everybody at all times, because we are not selfish and we are not scared of anything.
When we took the theme, "Working together we can do more" it's because we wanted you to come to the table, to come with us to fight this problem. If you don't, this problem will haunt this country; it won't grow our economy and it will cause our country to decline. We cannot afford this. We cannot lead this country into anarchy.
We will fight any form of criminal activity from any quarter, even those who are collaborating. We will make sure that we do the right thing.
I am surprised that the DA is calling on the Hawks to take up the matter. You said it is not going to make it; it is a lame duck! You said it's a hawk that cannot fly. It is flying, my dear, it is flying! And it is flying with colours. It has flown! Six criminals down; four criminals opposite my home, down! All because of the Hawks!
This problem has been referred to the Hawks. Just wait and see, and listen. They are there and we are there as the ANC; we are decisive and we don't beat about the bush. Government is led by the ANC. Thank you. [Applause.] Debate concluded.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.
Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
Consideration of First Report of Joint Rules Committee, 2009
Order disposed of without debate.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.
Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.