Hon members, before I proceed to the next question, and as I'm going to leave the Chair for another presiding officer to take over, let me say the following.
You will remember that on Tuesday, 30 October 2012, I delivered a ruling on remarks by the hon Minister of Mineral Resources and the hon Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs during the debate on the Lonmin tragedy on 21 August 2012, notwithstanding their absence from the House. The hon Ministers had accused hon Lekota of calling on soldiers to attack and said that he was brutal. I ruled then that these remarks were out of order, as they injured hon Lekota's character, integrity and honour. I specifically indicated in my ruling that both Ministers would be asked to withdraw their remarks once they were present in the House.
I am informed that Minister Shabangu is in the House today. [Interjections.] Order hon members, please! I therefore direct her to withdraw her remarks. I call upon the hon Minister to do so. [Interjections.] Hon Minister, just ignore what is happening, please. Listen to the Chair. Just listen to the Chair. The others are singing. Don't listen to them.
I withdraw them, Chair.
I didn't hear that.
I withdraw them, Chair. [Applause.]
Thank you, hon Minister. I also see the hon Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs is present, and direct her to withdraw her remarks.
Respecting the ruling of the hon Deputy Speaker, I withdraw them. [Applause.]
Thank you very much, hon Minister.
Deputy Speaker, can we please have clarity on what hon Shabangu and hon Molewa are withdrawing?
They are withdrawing what I spoke about yesterday, what I ruled on then.
Deputy Speaker, does that mean that both of them acknowledge that they were misleading the House?
No, hon Killian. Please! We want to proceed properly, not like yesterday. Please! Measures to mitigate economic losses and job losses in mining sector, in light of declining growth and increasing unemployment
341. Mr M H Hoosen (ID) asked the Minister of Economic Development:
(1) What does he attribute to the (a) declining growth and (b) increasing unemployment rates despite the intervention of the department's New Growth Path since its implementation;
(2) whether his department has (a) identified and/or (b) implemented any measures to mitigate (i) economic losses and (ii) job losses in the mining sector due to the current labour unrest; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?