Chairperson, the purpose of our coming here is to receive the blessing of hon members in approving the budgets, following on the National Assembly, the other House. We want to thank you for doing that. The box of money that you are handing over to us is a huge one - R16 billion is a lot of money - and the fact that the House has joined the other House in approving that it should be deposited into our hands is appreciated. We promise that we will handle these funds, as is written on the box, with care. Yes, we will handle it with care.
Hon Sibande - I don't see where he has disappeared to - spoke from the heart about something we are already doing. We know those areas that he referred to. They are part of 40 000 houses that have to come down or be repaired - and 10% of our budget of R1,3 billion. It is sad that we and all MECs who are here and those who are not here should be dealing with this question. That's why we have committed ourselves to this and said we have made a resolution that this kind of shoddy workmanship cannot and should not continue.
I indicated that it was sad to announce that we had arrested many South Africans. Most of the 1 500 people who have been convicted are in the national government and some of them are in provincial government, but very few, interestingly, are in local government.
The objective of having an integrated approach towards human settlement implies that we work with all departments. Human settlement itself is an interdepartmental approach. We cannot have the kind of things that we are going to deliver. Chairperson and hon members, we have certainly started, but we cannot do it alone. That's why we are happy to share this debate, side by side with Public Works. Something happened whilst we were sitting here, and that shows how fast Ministers can move, particularly this Minister, Mr Doidge. He contacted the Director-General of Human Settlements to inform him that the pieces of land that we require - suitable land, as the President has said - will be given to us after we have just named the place where we want it. I thought we should recognise that. I am very happy that you did that. [Applause.]
We are not here to reply to every point made. We appreciate what has been said, especially the criticisms that have come from the members of the opposition. It is the responsibility of the members of the opposition to hold us to account, but as a whole it is their responsibility always to deliver constructive criticism to the executive, which must also always come when they call. That is important, so that we can show respect.
After all, we should not believe in the first titles that we have, but in the last. Our last title is MP. We are members of this House first, before we are executive members, because you are an executive member chosen by the President only after you have become a member of this House. Therefore, we must continue to show respect for being called to account here.
I just want to say that we have received so much advice. I have taken many notes here, and it is not necessary to get into everything. Chairperson, we would like to thank the Minister that participated with me. That shows the essence of good government. In fact, it's instrumental in interministerial relationships. Likewise, last time we should have shared a stage with the Minister of Home Affairs, but we couldn't be here at the same time. I am happy for this because it is the first time of sharing a stage and a debate with another Minister.
I want also to thank members of the executive councils of different provinces who are responsible for Human Settlements and Public Works. You could hear that a certain member, who graduated from this House, is actually trying to compete to be the next Minister of Public Works! Wait a bit - we still have one Minister here! [Laughter.] But, she sounds very good. I thank Mr Sibande as the chairperson of the select committee and also thank officials from both departments who are here, without whom we cannot do our work.
Chairperson, thank you for allowing us to come here and give an account of our work before these members. After all, we are equal to you as we are also Members of Parliament. [Applause.]