Chair, I think the issue that has been raised by the member of Cope, Mr George, of the allegation that a member of the Police Service pointed a firearm at a citizen or one of the members of Cope, is a matter which belongs to the police. Mr George himself says that the matter was reported to the police. I would urge that we treat it that way.
I was disappointed when he passed judgment on the police, because all we are hearing is one side of the story. It's a matter which is sub judice; let's just respect that. That's what I would urge here, otherwise there is a temptation to talk when we are here in Parliament and I know that sometimes we talk even when there is no substance to the matter.
The issue about these letters which were brought here, relates to issues of crime. I think we are on the same page with all the political parties in this House, including your political party, that this matter is not a political matter, and if there are issues about this, there are suggestions to that effect emanating from the meeting with the leaders of the opposition parties in this House.
Let us treat the matter of crime as it is; it's not a political football. There can't be a political publicity stunt on the matter and what you are referring to was a political stunt. It's not going to help in the fight against crime. So, we urge you to request those friends of yours to come up with serious proposals in the fight against crime - don't play with the issues of crime. Many South Africans are affected by this scourge. [Applause.]
The last matter was raised by the member of the ANC about umama uMakhananda. I think what we need to say, as you know, is that we have taken a decision to revive certain units like the family units, but we must raise a matter in this House that such matters may not necessarily be well placed within the police.
Matters of domestic violence need all of us, and they need to be raised with the officials and everybody to understand. It's a societal matter. Whilst police have to play their role, as members of the public we also have a role to play in reporting symptoms of this nature before they go too far. Thank you very much. [Applause.]