Madam Chair, I think it is important that we continue to understand what it means to vote and come back and say that we have won the majority of the vote. If you do not understand democratic practices, it does show in the manner that you have interpreted what the Minister presented to you last week.
The Minister has been quite vocal and has allowed us and, as Parliament, we have allowed you to express your own point of view and have given you the opportunity to pinpoint where the weaknesses are. In general, all intellectuals will tell you that democracy is not a superb system, but there is a difficulty for you to understand that when she allows you to engage and get information.
You have today been part of a committee where I gave all Members of Parliament the opportunity to reflect on the matter, and the majority of our own members have voted against you and have clearly expressed to you that they cannot allow the national security of the country to be compromised. [Interjections.] That is quite clear; that is the majority of members that have voted for the ANC. Now, what do you expect us to do? Do you expect us to subvert democracy and allow you, on your individual point, to be the only one to be allowed to express your point of view, and then we accept it?
The majority has said in the committee that we need to accept the fact that there is secrecy in the military, and if you understand what it means to have secrecy in the military, you will definitely be able to agree. Luckily, you are a veteran. You do come from one of the submarines. You understand the state of things and that there is secrecy in the military, and I thought I have told you in the portfolio committee that it does not say that the Minister is going back. It says that democracy has been practised.
We have given you an opportunity to express your own points of view, but the majority of our own members in the committee do not agree with you, because they are also concerned about the security of the country, not with your individual right. They have never undermined or compromised you; they have given you your constitutional right. [Interjections.] [Applause.]
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance dissenting).
Vote 20 - Independent Complaints Directorate - put.
Declarations of vote: