Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, members and colleagues ...
... binnelandse sake is een van di belangrikste staatsdepartemente vir die inwoners van Suid-Afrika. Soos die Minister al by meer as een geleentheid opgemerk het, is di departement die een wat by elke individu is vanaf die wieg tot by die graf en vir al die belangrike mylpale tussenin.
In Suid-Afrika se geskiedenis speel identiteit 'n baie belangrike rol. Hoe mense geklassifiseer is, het aanleiding gegee tot geweldadige opstande, bloedvergieting en talle tragedies. As 'n nasie, bou ons steeds 15 jaar na die eerste demokratiese verkiesing aan 'n unieke Suid-Afrikaanse identiteit en word ons tereg regoor die wreld as 'n renboognasie erken. Daarom kan mens verstaan as inwoners baie emosioneel reageer indien hulle nie die diens kry vanaf hierdie uiters essensile departement wat hulle nodig het nie.
Ek wil daarom die agb Minister bedank vir die openlike en eerlike wyse waarop sy die probleme wat die departement ervaar, erken en probeer aanpak. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[... Home Affairs is one of the most important government departments for the residents of South Africa. As the Minister has already noted on more than one occasion, that this department is the one that features in each individual's life from birth till death and for all the important milestones in between.
In South African history identity plays a very important role. The way in which people were classified gave rise to violent protests, bloodshed and numerous tragedies. As a nation we are still building a uniquely South African identity 15 years after the first democratic elections, and we are recognized - justifiably so - throughout the world as a rainbow nation. Hence one can understand why residents react emotionally when they do not receive the service they require from this absolutely essential department.
Therefore, I want to thank the Minister for the open and honest way in which she acknowledges the problems that the department experiences, and for the way in which she tries to rectify them.]
I want to repeat that in English. I want to thank the Minister for the open and honest way in which she acknowledges the problems that the department experiences, and for the way in which she tries to rectify them.
I also want to thank the chairperson of the portfolio committee; your approach is very refreshing. [Applause.] It is only when we acknowledge with integrity and with honesty the problems that we face that we can start to address them. And I really appreciate that.
South Africans have not only been exposed to media reports such as the following in the Mail & Guardian of 07 May 2009:
US slams 'corrupt' SA home affairs department.
Poor administration and corruption at the Department of Home Affairs has resulted in thousands of fraudulent passports, identity documents and work permits being issued, according to a recently-released United States government report.
South Africans also had to face international humiliation all over the world and at emigration ports. The emigration officials are increasingly scrutinising our passports more and more to see if they are valid documents. I therefore hope that the turnaround strategy and all the strategies that are being put in place to combat this and to combat corruption will really bear fruit.
Since I have been appointed to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, I have had a good oversight and insight into the problems that South Africans and foreign nationals experience on a daily basis. My inbox, my SMS and my cellphone line are frequently busy with people complaining to me about the way they are being treated by officials. And I must say there is only one way to describe it: it's appalling. It is unfortunate, but that is what is happening.
In one instance, a lady phoned me to say that she can't get unabridged birth certificates for her children because the official said that the building she has to go into does not have lights, so they have to go and search for those documents with flashlights, and no one is prepared to go and do that. I mean, that is a very desperate situation. Therefore, I am very grateful for the fact that the Minister said that Public Works needs to play a very constructive role in seeing that your department functions properly. Because if there are no lights and Public Works is responsible for that, then there is a serious problem.
I appreciate the fact that a large number of the department's officials attended the budget meeting. It is a pity that not more members of the portfolio committee actually attended. I was very embarrassed - deeply embarrassed - to sit there. Initially we were three, and later on there were more members. Initially it was the chairperson, one other member and me.
At the time of voting on the budget we didn't have enough people to reach a quorum, and the ANC members were hauled from the passages to come in and sit for three minutes, vote on the budget and leave. They did not participate in the discussion. [Interjections.] I know that they can technically do this, but is this the way we should treat this important department's budget? I don't think so.