Obviously, those who voted in favour are carrying the day. Let us continue and go to Vote 11.
Vote No 11 - Public Works - put.
Declarations of votes made on behalf of the African National Congress and Democratic Alliance.
Declarations of vote:
Chairperson, hon members in the run up to the 2010 World Cup, the SAPS under the leadership of then General Bheki Cele asked the Department of the Public Works to give them two floors of accommodation in Pretoria, instead the department provided them with 17 floors at the princely sum of R2,8 million per month. The deal title the tidy sum of R500 million, there was no tender process, no observations of the Treasury regulations. The deal was
done with the property mogul Roux Shabangu. The acting director- general at the time was none other than a current Public Works Director-General Adv Sam Vukela. Both Cele and Vukela lost their jobs at the time, but in compliance with a well established revolving door policy of the ANC government, the former police bosses now the Minister of Police and Vukela as a reinstated the DG and so we must question the credibility of any budget that Vukela has anything to do with.
A perusal of the Annual Performance Plan of the Department of Public Works will leave one thinking that they had been incorporated in the Department of Economic Development or Labour. The bulk of the APP talks to the employment opportunities provided by the department and the drive for transformation of suppliers to the department. Very little mention is made about supplying quality service in respect of engineering, maintenance and building cards. The situation of the property management, trading entities is equally dire. The entity is the second, so it is the largest landlord in the country. They have been struggling to define their asset register since 2014 and still have no idea of the value of their assets. To know the value of an asset, you must know its condition. It is therefore impossible to budget properly for the maintenance of an asset. Inevitably the department will continue in the guise of the glorified employment
agency to lurch from one crisis to the other under the leadership of the dodgy DG seeking out the next enrichment opportunity. Accordingly the DA cannot support this Budget. I thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Deputy Chairperson, I see that the DA chose to go to 2010 because there was a turnaround for this department. Consistently, now it is achieving clean audit. That is why they had to go back to 2010. So, they can't declare about last year's financial year or the previous years because according to them there is nothing to declare. [Interjections.] The Department of Public Works in its strategic position acts as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and a significant driver in the creation of inclusive economic growth and job, subsequently it is vital in advancing economic growth and reduce historic inequalities.
Outcome 4 of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework put emphasis on the department to enable decent employment through inclusive growth. The ANC- led government remains resolute to continue its mission to build a capable developmental state based on social contract with the citizens. This notion has its resemblance on ANC ready to govern documents which sought to put people at the forefront of their own development.
The White Paper on Reconstruction and Development Programme took it further to inculcate the ideas of participatory democracy into people centre development through Public Works Vote the department seeks to, among other things, professionalise Public Administration to give maximum effects to social transformation, generating investment and creation of job opportunities, driving socioeconomic transformation for the interests of the majority of our people. The department has received R111 million over the medium term is earmarked to policy and research programme. The department will continue its review of the Construction Industry Development Board Act 38 of 2000. This review will see the culmination of the draft document during 2019-20 financial year. This will help to review policies and legislations amongst others to benefit youth and rural communities. I thank you, hon Chair.
Division demanded.
The Council divided:
AYES - 37: Bebee, L C; Carrim, Y I; Dangor, M; Gillion N M; Govender, L P; Gxoyiya, A B; Llatchmirain, T; Lekganyane, N M; Lucas, S E; Mamaregane, L M; Matibe, T B; Matiwane, T; Mfayela, S E; Mohai S J; Moshodi, L M; Modise, T C; Mthethwa, E M; Mahlangu, D
G; Maleka, A D; Mkiva, Z; Mokgonyana, E M; Mmoiemang, K M; Mmola, M P; Ncitha, Z V; Ndongeni, N; Nkosi, S C; Ntsube, I; Ngwenya, W; Nchabeleng, M E; Nyambi, A J; Njadu, E J; Rayi, M I; Rosho, M Z; Saziwa, M; Sekoati, S C; Selane, C B D; Shaikh, S.
NOES - 25: Apleni, T; Arnolds, A; Aucamp, W A S; Bara, M R; Boshoff, H S; Botswe, M; Brauteseth, T J; Baartman, D; Christians, D C; Du Toit, S F; Koni, N P; Lehihi, S B; Luthuli, S A; Labuschagne, C; Michalakis, G; Moletsane, M S; Motsamai, K; Nhanha, M; Ryder, R; Schafer, B; Sedibe, M C; Smit, C B F; Sileku, I M; Visser, C; Wenger, M.
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters and Freedom Front Plus dissenting).
Vote No 12 - Statistics South Africa - put.
Is there any objections?
Yes.
Can you indicate your objection?
Deputy Chair, the DA objects.
The DA objects. Is there any other objections? There is none. It's only the DA. Then, we take note of the objection of the DA and we will then continue, which means the vote is agreed to. [Applause.] If there are no objections, the Vote is agreed to. That's the Rule. [Interjections.] I am correct.
Deputy Chairperson, with respect, the purpose of indicating an objection is that there are members who are not in favour of the Vote. Therefore, I would request if we go over to a vote, please.
No, I don't want us to fight about this. I have indicated earlier, according to the rules of the NCOP, if there is one objection; we take note of that objection. The only time that we will then continue is when there is an indication that we want to divide the House. But on the basis of one objection, we don't have to divide the House. We have been continuing like this to satisfy members so that we don't fight about it. So, that is a reason why I am saying ... So, that is the thing.
Hon Deputy Chairperson?
Okay, let us continue because we have set the precedent. You may sit. I will continue the way you want me to because we have set the precedent. But what I have been doing now was the correct way in terms of the current Rules which is under review. It's the correct way of doing things in terms of the current Rules. We will continue now. Sit down!
Deputy Chairperson, I just need clarity, please.
Let us hear the clarity.
Hon Deputy Chairperson, thank you. On that basis, the argument would be valid that since is an individual vote, you cannot surely then ask which parties are for it and which parties are against. If you want this precedent to be kept, then surely every individual member who is against it should then object. This is what we need. Please, I need an indication from you whether each member should object individually.
Hon member, I like the DA for one thing; you love the Rules as long as it suit you. Don't do what
you are doing. If you read the Rules, what I have done is correct and because we have set the precedent, I will continue.
Division demanded.
Chairperson, on a point of order. You follow the Rules quiet correctly but I don't know what happen now, whether it is sugar level or something. But you change your own Rules now.
No, no, hon Michalakis, you are wrong.
Deputy Chairperson, we respect you very as a presiding officer because you have indicated today that you are willing to follow the Rules. Thank you for that. [Interjections.] Would the hon members on my left stop hauling? However, you as the presiding officer, have a duty to be impartial whether it's off record or on the record, it doesn't matter. But pointing out parties and playing them against each other as the ANC member that surely is not impartial. I would like you to please continue as an impartial, presiding officer.
Thank you. I will put it in record. Hon member I am impartial. Just earlier, one ANC member spoke and someone stood up and asks this person in the House. I am in favour of which faction? This is why I am saying you must also respect each other equally.
Chairperson, on a point of order. As a presiding officer, you should know better than anyone else that in this House there is a Rule that say there is a freedom of speech. We, on the floor have freedom of speech. You as a Chair, you can't decide to take part in party politics. You have to preside over the procedure fairly.
I am very fair, hon Labuschagne, otherwise I wouldn't allow you to continue to be the prefect in this House. That's because I am fair.
The Council divided.