Hon Speaker, Cope supports Vote No 24 but is concerned that a number of serious deficiencies in the administration of the department were exposed during the budget process, not least being that key positions were not and will still not in this financial year be filled. Some of these departmental shortcomings reflected in critical financial management deficiencies, also in key, state-owned entities that report to the department, resulting in the squandering of public money.
Deficit budgets were tabled by the SABC and the Society and Network for Technology in Education through Collaboration, Santec; and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, Icasa, announced over the past weekend that they would not meet the deadline for digital migration.
The financial constraints mentioned by these entities will severely inhibit their ability to fulfil their mandate effectively unless the finance Minister bails them out.
Cope believes that the department has unfortunately allowed the ANC in the portfolio committee to dictate to the department how they should execute their legislative obligations. The management in the department and in the state-owned entities have fallen prey to the political infighting in the ruling alliance, which unfortunately had a negative impact on the public broadcaster and Icasa.
The time has come for the Minister to ensure that the serious financial irregularities and deficiencies at the SABC are properly investigated and that those found guilty are appropriately punished. Similarly, the Minister should assist Icasa to restore public trust in the board after their unacceptable political fling with Cosatu in an attempt to derail the Vodacom listing. Cope will insist on the implementation of the PFMA to keep management of the department and of state-owned entities accountable to Parliament. Thank you. [Applause.]