Hon Chairperson, let me start by saying that as the ANC we are going to support this budget. We also want to congratulate the department on the improvement in its capacity to spend its budget. This is a fact and it is on record. We must also congratulate the department, through the leadership of the Minister, on filling all the vacancies at the higher level positions, from the Senior Management Service, SMS, level. This is also a fact and it is on record.
We must also applaud the Minister who has taken the initiative to ensure that by 2014 the department and the entities do achieve a clean audit. [Applause.] We thank the Minister for taking that leadership role in doing so.
On the last issue, I would like to make a call on the DA and all other parties that they should join us as the ANC and this Ministry in fighting the cost to communicate in this country, because it has become one of the difficult issues to deal with and it has a negative impact in terms of development for small, medium and micro enterprises, SMMEs, and all other people who want to further develop their businesses. I thank you. [Applause.]
Vote agreed to. (Democratic Alliance, Congress of the People, Independent Democrats and Freedom Front Plus dissenting).
Vote No 28 - Economic Development - put.
Declarations of vote: