Deputy Speaker, the research that was conducted with government to check the number of employees who have companies and closed corporations that are in business with government departments, has revealed for the years 2005 to 2007 an amount of R615 million. Also, the research indicates 2 319 government officials who had interests in companies and did business with the government.
The UCDP, therefore, having listened to the debates and facts presented by my colleagues and also members of Scopa, would like to support the suggestion that the disclosure of interest should be compulsory for employees; not only for them but also their related parties, including family members and close friends. Another suggestion is that the SBD 4 Declaration of Interest form be amended to include spouses, directorships, shareholding and memberships in companies that had transacted with the state in the previous 12 months of the financial year, and that an integration of the PSC system and the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office, Cipro, be considered. We would like to say, let the law take its course with the offenders so that the taxpayers' funds can be recovered.
Letsogo la molao le letelele. A ba ba sentseng ba tlhagisiwe, madi a set?haba a bolokesege. Re a leboga. [Legofi.] [The arm of the law is long. Let those that have committed a crime be exposed, so that public funds can be safe. Thank you. [Applause.]]