Chairperson, the DA is outraged by the large number of people who, some at an advanced age - at the age of 40, in some instances - are still nowhere near to being recognised as being legitimate citizens of this country, in the form of the basic necessity and right known as an identity document.
Apartheid left us with a terrible legacy in this regard, but we now find that the current government is exacerbating the problem by way of this dismal failure to provide this essential service to our people. We simply cannot afford to sit back and allow this situation to continue while carrying out people's mandate.
Chairperson, we are not elected as leaders to live in luxury and deliver nothing to the people. People have been patient for so long, and we should allow people the right to demand leadership from us, even if it does sometimes involve taking some unpopular decisions that enable us to deliver a quality service to our citizens.
Citizens have been extremely patient for 15 years, but that patience is rightfully wearing dangerously thin at present, and Mr Mhlongo's tragic and unnecessary suicide is a case in point. We need to take note that this, among many other cases, will continue to be a slur and confound us in our efforts.
Chairperson, people are losing faith and confidence in government because of their unwillingness to provide this service. The ANC has been promising people in elections that they would provide good governance. When will this happen? [Interjections]. Thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]