START OF DAY
THURSDAY, 13 MARCH 2008
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
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The House met at 14:01.
The Deputy Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
NOTICES OF MOTION
START OF DAY
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mr G G BOINAMO: Madam Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that I intend moving the following motion on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates the current high levels of violence at schools across the country and the inability of the Department of Education to deal with this problem.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are there motions without notice?
Mr M J ELLIS: Madam Deputy Speaker, we propose one motion, but we have other speakers who want to propose motions. You didn’t ask if there were any further notices of motion.
Mrs S V KALYAN
Mr M J ELLIS
Mrs S V KALYAN: Madam Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that I intend moving the following motion on behalf of the DA:
That the House debates the recently released report Every Death Counts that reveals that around 75 000 children die in South Africa every year before they turn five years of age.
Mr C M LOWE
Mrs S V KALYAN
Mr C M LOWE: Madam Deputy Speaker, I hereby give notice that I shall move on behalf of the DA as follows:
That the House discusses the oversight role of Parliament, specifically the work of portfolio committees, and holding government and Ministers to account.
MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Mr C M LOWE
DEATH OF CONSUMER JOURNALIST, ISOBEL JONES
(Draft Resolution)
Mr M J ELLIS: Madam Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House–
(1) notes with profound sadness the death of food and consumer journalist Isobel Jones on Tuesday, 11 March 2008;
(2) further notes that she became renowned for fighting for consumer rights in her television programme Fair Deal that aired for nine years;
(3) acknowledges that as a result of her fearless work, the corporate industry has become a more consumer-friendly place;
(4) expresses its gratitude for her tireless championing of South African consumer rights; and
(5) conveys its condolences to her family and friends.
Agreed to.
Mr M J ELLIS
Mr M J ELLIS
GOLD MEDAL WON BY GODFREY KHOTSO MOKOENA AT IAAF WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS IN SPAIN
(Draft Resolution)
Mr M J ELLIS: Madam Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House–
(1) notes that South African long and triple jumper Godfrey Khotso Mokoena won a gold medal at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Valencia, Spain, on 8 March 2008;
(2) further notes that this is South Africa’s third ever gold medal at a world indoor championship and the first in a field event;
(3) recognises that Mokoena celebrated his twenty-second birthday on 6 March, making him one of the exciting young talents in South African athletics; and
(4) congratulates him on his win and wishes him well for the upcoming Beijing Olympics in August 2008.
Agreed to. [Applause.]
MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS - Mr B M MKONGI /AKJ
END OF TAKE
Mr M J ELLIS
RAILROAD ACCIDENT AT KHAYELITSHA
(Member’s Statement)
Mr B M MKONGI (ANC): Madam Deputy Speaker, on Monday, 3 March 2008, three workers who were employed by the Light Bee construction company died tragically while on duty. The company is contracted to Metrorail to remove street-light poles for the extension of the Khayelitsha railway line to Macassar.
These workers were busy pulling out the light poles, using a crane truck without supervision. The light pole was hooked through a chain from the truck while the workers were holding it. The light pole touched the live electric cables, resulting in the tragic death of three workers, two of whom died instantly while the third worker died later in hospital.
This incident happened a few kilometres from an Eskom substation. As a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of workers, the company could have asked Eskom to switch off the electricity before removing the poles. These workers were supposed to have been working under supervision.
There seems to be a growing problem in the townships in that construction companies which get state tenders employ inexperienced and untrained people, and even underpay them.
We call for an immediate investigation of this incident. The ANC conveys its condolences to the families of the deceased. I thank you.
Mrs D VAN DER WALT
Mr B M MKONGI
TEMPORARY HIGH COURT BUILDING IN POLOKWANE NOT DEVELOPED
(Member’s Statement)
Mrs D VAN DER WALT (DA): Madam Deputy Speaker, the DA would like an assurance from the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development that the conversion of the vacant magistrates’ building in Polokwane to serve as a temporary High Court will definitely be completed by the end of May this year.
As the matter stands now, the people from Limpopo have to travel to Pretoria to attend High Court sittings, and this has a negative effect on people being able to access justice services.
The great distance places an unfair burden on members of the public, and, in terms of the constitutional right to access courts, clearly something needs to be done urgently. How was it possible then that no work was done between March and August last year, given the urgency of the people’s needs? These matters need to be supervised closely.
We call on the Minister to monitor the developments closely and to guarantee that a High Court will be operational in Polokwane during the first half of this year. In fact, as planned, the people want to move in by the end of May. [Applause.]
Mr N SINGH
Mrs D VAN DER WALT
DISSOLUTION OF LAND BANK BOARD
(Member’s Statement)
Mr N SINGH (IFP): Madam Deputy Speaker, last year the Land Bank became embroiled in a controversy as its board at the time was dissolved amidst allegations of misspending of about R1 billion. At the time, the IFP applauded Cabinet’s decision to launch a forensic investigation into the board’s actions.
Recently, the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs appointed a new board for the Land Bank, but what is of great concern is that six members of the previous board were reappointed. The IFP questions the wisdom of this step. Surely, a board that had to be dissolved should not provide any members to a future board? What is even more disconcerting is the fact that the new board appears to lack persons with the experience and knowledge of agricultural matters.
The IFP welcomes the fact that some of the new members are banking specialists, but we have to question why there is no one from the agricultural community on the board. Even Agri SA, representing commercial farmers, did not succeed in getting its nominee appointed to the board.
These developments are seen against the background of ratings agency Fitch Ratings’ statement that there is a risk that the bank’s financial position might deteriorate even further because of the absence of a turnaround strategy and new senior personnel being employed. The bank is, for instance, still without a CEO.
Clearly, the Land Bank finds itself in a precarious position that could have numerous negative long-term effects on the agricultural sector. The IFP therefore urges the Minister and the new board to speedily implement a turnaround strategy that will place the bank on a sound financial footing, enabling it to serve its core constituency: the farmers of South Africa. The board also needs to ... [Time expired.]
Mr H P MALULEKA / Dube A T/Mme/END OF TAKE
Mr N SINGH
DEATH OF BALLERINA PHYLLIS SPIRA
(Member’s Statement)
Mr H P MALULEKA (ANC): Madam Deputy Speaker, it was with deep sadness and regret that South Africa learnt of the untimely death of legendary prima ballerina Ms Phyllis Spira, who passed away in Cape Town on 11 March. In Phyllis Spira, South Africa was blessed with a highly gifted and creative artist whose life transcended man-made barriers to become a Prima Ballerina Assoluta.
At the height of her career in 1984, Ms Spira won the highest accolade in dance in recognition of her presence and power as a mover and shaker who was destined to reshape and influence cultural trends, especially in dance. After her retirement in 1988, Ms Spira remained connected to dance. She continued to work as a teacher for the next 10 years, channelling her energies not only into nurturing new talent, but also into creating styles that had a distinctly South African rhythm.
Significantly, Ms Spira was the founding member of Dance For All, a pioneering creative project that introduced dance as a career option and a creative activity to countless youths in the Western Cape townships. Today there is a plethora of young stars that has emerged from this programme; young stars who fly the flag of a liberated South Africa around the world. Her passing is a tragic loss for the dance community and the cultural life of our country, but she remains a guiding light that will shine blessings on all our creative endeavours as South Africans. Our deepest sympathies go to her family. Thank you.
Rev K R J MESHOE
Mr H P MALULEKA
ROBBERIES AT OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
(Member’s Statement)
Rev K R J MESHOE (UCDP): Deputy Speaker, the ACDP notes with great disappointment reports that police are unable to find evidence to link the robberies to people who were followed from OR Tambo International Airport and to a crime syndicate operating from that airport. A number of people have fallen victim to the robbers after declaring their valuables at the airport. In most cases, the robbers knew exactly what valuables their victims were carrying and how much money they had.
Many of these attacks occurred outside hotels and guesthouses, in driveways and even on the side of the road. For the police spokesperson to call the robberies opportunistic, coincidental and random is insensitive to the victims, some of whom managed to recognise the assailants after seeing them at the airport. The ACDP calls on the Minister to request the Scorpions to investigate the existence of an organised crime syndicate targeting travellers who enter the country through OR Tambo International Airport. I don’t doubt the fact that the Scorpions will be able to sting where the SAPS and other task teams have failed.
A decision not to require foreign nationals arriving at OR Tambo International Airport to furnish customs officials with their addresses in the country will not solve the problem of robberies. Criminals operating from there must be removed, even if it means by force, so as to minimise the damage to our reputation as a country in the eyes of the world. Thank you.
Mrs P DE LILLE
Rev K R J MESHOE
DECREASING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE
(Member’s Statement)
Mrs P DE LILLE (ID): Madam Deputy Speaker, according to the Rand Merchant Bank and the Bureau for Economic Research, business confidence has dropped to its lowest level in seven years. While the causes of this drop in confidence are partially global, the Eskom crisis, the related job losses and talk of a water crisis, amongst other things, all contribute to this decreasing business confidence.
The ID is extremely concerned about the effect this slump in our economic outlook will have on the ordinary South African and the poor in particular. Of primary concern to the ID is the job security of ordinary South Africans. Our people are facing hard times and we need to assure them that something is being done at the highest level to ease the increasing financial burden they face. Thank you.
Mufumakadzana T E LISHIVHA / /keh/END OF TAKE
Mrs P DE LILLE
SCULPTOR MS NORIA MABASA ACCLAIMED FOR GOOD WORK
(Member’s Statement)
Tshivenda:
Mufumakadzana T E LISHIVHA (ANC): Ndo livhuwa, dzangano la ANC li khou toda u isa dzindivhuwo kha mushumo wavhudi we Vho Noria Mabasa vha itela lushaka lwothe. Vho Noria Mabasa vho bebwa Venda nga nwaha wa gidi datahe furarumalo (1938) ngei Xigalo Vunduni la Limpopo. Ndi mutsila a sa ofhi we a shuma zwavhudi lwa minwaha ya mahumi mararu kha lifhasi la u tatisana nga vhutsila na mashangodavha.
Vho thoma nga nwaha wa gidi datahe fumaloraru [1983] vhe muvhumbi wa vumba. Nga nwaha wa gidi datahe fumaloina vho dzhia linwe liga la u dzhenelela kha zwithu zwiswa zwa u vhada nga thanda. Mvelelo dza vhutsila havho dzo vhonala sa muthu ane a khou vhangisa vhathu vhane vha tevhedza sialala na vhanwe vhatsila vha vhanna.
Vho Noria ndi munwe wa vhathu vha ndeme vhane vha kha di thogomela ndivho yashu ya kale na u vha mudededzi vhukuma o dinetshedzelaho u kovha ndivho na vhukoni havho. Vhunzhi ha mishumo yavho ya vhutsila yo taniwa kha miziamu ya vhutsila ya maduvha ano ngei United Kingdom, Germany, Miziamu wa Stodulky, Amsterdam, Holland, Italy na hunwe hunzhi-hunzhi.
Naho zwo ralo, mushumo wavho u di taniwa na fhano hayani. Sa ndila ya u takalela mushumo wavho une wa dzulela u tutuwadza lushaka, dzhango na lifhasi, mushumo wa vhutsila ha Vho Noria ... [Tshifhinga tsho fhela.]
Mr L M GREEN
Ms T E LISHIVHA
DECRIMINALISATION OF PROSTITUTION FOR 2010 WORLD CUP
(Member’s Statement)
Mr L M GREEN (FD): Deputy Speaker, in little over two years we will be hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup which is expected to draw 3 million international visitors to our country. South Africa is rich in many aspects in order to adequately meet the varied needs of our visitors. However, at one time there was talk of decriminalising prostitution as an added attraction to overseas visitors.
In fact, the former National Police Commissioner was in favour of such a move, and one member of this House is reported to have said, “Legalising prostitution is one of the things that would make 2010 a success because we hear of many rapes because people don’t have access to prostitutes.” [Interjections.]
Both these gentlemen were publicly lambasted for their positions. It is in echoing this denunciation by a broad sector of society that the FD, a partner of the Christian Democratic Alliance, calls for an end to speculation that the legalising of prostitution ... [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, hon members, please!
Mr L M GREEN: ... will be considered for 2010 or at any other time in the future.
We wish to remind this House that soccer is a beautiful game and any attempt to associate it with prostitution is to damage that reputation. The 2010 World Cup is more than soccer; it is intended to showcase the road this country has travelled in overcoming the past injustices, divisions and oppression. Decriminalising prostitution should not be viewed as a progressive act to be counted among the achievements of a free nation.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order, hon member, your time has expired.
Mr L M GREEN: Thank you, Chair. [Interjections.]
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: In future, don’t break our furniture in strengthening your points. [Laughter.]
Mr G G BOINAMO
Mr L M GREEN
SCHOOLS REPORTED TO BE THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES IN THE COUNTRY
(Member’s Statement)
Mr G G BOINAMO (DA): Madam Deputy Speaker, a report of the Human Rights Commission released this week shows that schools have become the most dangerous places in the country to be in. This situation must be addressed urgently and with energy. The DA therefore calls for a parliamentary debate at which the Minister of Education can explain exactly how she intends to deal with this crisis.
The DA has already made various proposals in this regard. Firstly, a reply to a DA question shows that the Department of Education has no database of violent incidences at schools. This must change if we are to know how to better deal with this problem. In addition, we need dedicated funding for security, counselling and education programmes for schools. The DA’s alternative budget for 2008 makes provision for R350 million to provide a budget of R23 000 a year to each of the 15 most-at-risk schools to address their security needs.
We also need to ensure that each school has a code of conduct in place in order that provision is made to take violent learners out of the mainstream education system, that educators are trained in managing difficult learners and that the “Adopt-a-Cop” programme is rolled out in every school. Thank you.
Mr S ABRAM / END OF TAKE
AN[English]
Mr G G BOINAMO
INJURIES INFLICTED ON FARMWORKER
(Member’s Statement)
Mr S ABRAM (ANC): Madam Deputy Speaker, the media reports that a bakkie driven by a young person, accompanied by a passenger, dragged a farmworker, 38-year-old Willem Paulse, by his hair on a farm in the George district of the southern Cape, inflicting severe injuries on him, inter alia, by driving over his right leg. This alleged despicable deed again highlights the plight of farmworkers who are subjected by some in our society to inhuman treatment and abuse, at times with fatal consequences.
It is reported that the perpetrators, two brothers by the name of Oosthuizen, appeared in the George magistrates’ court on 7 March 2008 on a charge of attempted murder and were released on R2 000 bail each. What a pity; a life worth only R2 000. The ANC calls on the law-enforcement agencies to pursue this case relentlessly and to thoroughly investigate the motive informing this dastardly act. Vulnerable members of our society must be protected against all actions which infringe upon their basic human rights and dignity.