Hon Deputy Speaker, hon members, I would like to thank the hon Minister for bringing to Parliament the matter of the 41 escaped prisoners from the Harrismith Medium Security Prison. What happened at that prison, as the Minister has outlined, is a matter of grave concern. A breakout of prisoners of this scale is absolutely alarming. Even more alarming are the circumstances under which the breakout occurred.
Failure to observe protocols strictly is becoming common. There is a tendency for officials to act unilaterally as though they constitute the law. Lawlessness is now becoming rooted in the institutions that are supposed to be upholding the law.
From what the Minister has reported, it seems very likely that the head of the awaiting-trial detention section cleared the desk, as it were, to allow for certain irregular actions to take place, presumably at a price.
What we are witnessing here is what is happening throughout the Public Service. The system has been totally corrupted. Integrity is lacking and senior officials are ready to undermine the institutions they are appointed to.
Dereliction of duty and irregularities are destroying government institutions. The rot is everywhere. If the Minister does not clean up the Correctional Services, starting from the top, criminality and corruption will prevail in the department. Harrismith is only one sore on a sick body. I thank you. [Applause.]