Thank you, hon Speaker and hon members. Hon Dr Van Dyk, I wish to reassure you that government remains committed to the fight against crime, to the rapid expansion of Eskom's generation capacity and to the acceleration of the land reform programme.
The fight against crime is receiving intense and sustained attention. Apart from the fact that we have increased our real spending to fight crime and that we are increasing the number of police officers, we are also seeking ways to improve the effectiveness of our crime-fighting efforts.
We have made it quite clear that fighting crime is a top priority of this government. The Minister of Police and the commissioner have addressed this, and we will continue to update Parliament regarding our strategy and its outcomes.
Similarly, land reform is a key element of rural development and we have clearly indicated our commitment to addressing rural development as a top priority of this government. As hon members are aware, as an indication of the importance we give to this area, we have established a Ministry and a Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.
Eskom's needs were anticipated in the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa, Asgisa, infrastructure programme. The investment programmes are in place, but we still have a responsibility as government to ensure that the investment programmes are undertaken with sufficient speed and in such a way that they do not undermine our commitment to sustainable development.
These three issues were clearly identified as priorities in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework issued by this government in July 2009. Electricity falls under strategic priority two, land reform and rural development are addressed in strategic priority three, and crime prevention is the focus of strategic priority six.
We pursue these commitments and proceed from the understanding that they help the country address specific challenges and also because, individually and collectively, combating crime, and having improved reliability of electricity supply and improved land reform and rural development programmes are central to accelerated and inclusive growth efforts. I thank you. [Applause.]