Chairperson, in the budget speech last year, I said that the biggest threat to the security of a country is when the Minister of Police is in a state of denial about this matter of crime. I must say to the hon Minister that his predecessor actually even told me that I must stop complaining about crime or I must leave the country. It is quite interesting - I told him that I would not leave the country - I am still in Parliament, but I do not see him in Parliament anymore. So, maybe there is a lesson to be learned from this. [Laughter.]
I must say that the present Minister is making the right noises and sounds as far as crime is concerned.
Ek wil s dat dit is wat die mense wil hoor. Ons in die VF Plus wil vir die agb Minister s dat ons hom sal ondersteun in hierdie begrotingsdebat en hierdie begroting. Ons gaan kyk of hy dit wat hy s hy gaan doen, in die praktyk deurvoer. Dit was 'n fout om byvoorbeeld die Skerpioene te vervang met die Valke. Dit was 'n politieke besluit. Ek wil vandag vir u s: As u sukses wil behaal, moet u nie politieke besluite neem nie, u moet meriete besluite neem. Dan gaan daar vordering wees om misdaad behoorlik in Suid- Afrika te bekamp. Dan sal u sukses h en dan sal die lewe in Suid-Afrika vir almal beter word. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[I want to say that that is what people want to hear. We in the FF Plus want to say to the hon Minister that we will support him in this budget debate and this budget. We want to see whether he will do in practice what he uttered in theory. For instance, it was a mistake to replace the Scorpions with the Hawks. It was a political decision. I want to say to you today: If you want to be successful, do not make political decisions; rather make decisions based on merit. Then there will be progress with regard to the successful combating of crime in South Africa. Then you will be successful and then life in South Africa will improve for everyone. I thank you.]