After I have finished my speech I will take the question, Chairperson.
To me and thousands of other people, this is a hollow promise when one takes into consideration the fact that in the Free State money destined for ARVs was distributed among political parties as election funds to print T- shirts instead of saving lives. [Interjections.] The worst was when, instead of buying ARVs, the money was jived away at the Mangaung African Cultural Festival, or Macufe. In the meantime, large numbers of our people died as a result of the nonexistence of ARVs.
During the state of the nation debate, the hon Minister boasted of how South Africa is spending 8,5% of its GDP on health. The majority of the poor who use public hospitals and clinics don't share your optimism because of poor service at these institutions. This is compounded by lack of medicine and cleanliness.
On 16 April 2009 the SA Human Rights Commission launched a report entitled "Public Enquiry, Access to Health Care Services". In this report, the SAHRC says that the government is responsible for the failure of the country's health care system.
As a result of everything I have said, Cope does not support the budget.