Deputy Chairperson, the SA Police Service, SAPS, is ineffective, underfunded and rotten with criminals serving within its ranks. It is failing in its constitutional duty of keeping us safe and this is the main issue. The Minister's target of curbing serious crime statistics over the next 10 years is not good enough, for the more than 18 000 people who get murdered every year in this country, a decade is time that they do not have.
To make things worse, this department's budget is allegedly being cut by R6 billion, the statistic on which the minister and the Commissioner could not even agree on. The point is, SAPS is underfunded and so poorly structured that the funds that it does have, is not used to effectively prevent crime. We need police that can deal with murders on arms in townships and at the hands of gangsters.
We need a service that is trained, equipped and most of all, trusted by the people. What is more is that the Minister's salary is most likely the biggest item of fruitless and wasteful expenditure. We need someone who can take himself, this job and the safety of the South Africans seriously.
Again I say, for the sake of the people we serve, every woman, man, child and their safety; the DA cannot support this budget and neither should you. Thank you.
Deputy Chairperson, the ANC supports Budget Vote 23, the Department of Police. This Budget Vote reflects the ANC's commitment in promoting safer communities and it also gives special attention to fighting crime as anticipated in the National Development Plan, NDP, Vision 2030. Chairperson, the SA Police Service, SAPS, intends curbing crime within the next 10 years.
They intend doing this by amongst other things, identifying high crime working stations in different provinces; they have launched the antigang unit; they are committed to building a professional, capable and well resourced police service and building strong community police partnerships through community policing forums.
Deputy Chairperson, the department is also dedicated to making the police professional and increasing community participation. The ANC has taken into account all constructive criticisms from various political parties in the battle of ideas during Budget Vote debate on how to promote and build safer and secure communities to achieve a stable, secure and prosperous society.
This budget is a key statement of policy of government. It informs the process through which government makes choices about completing priorities that need to be funded for services to be delivered. This Budget Vote resonates with the Constitution and the ANC's 54th National Conference Resolution in fighting crime. Deputy Chairperson, the ANC supports this Budget Vote. [Applause.]
Hon members, we will now request those that are in favour of this vote to say yes.
HON MEMBERS: Yes.
Don't get time to sleep here. All those that are not in favour would say no.
HON MEMBERS: No.
It is obvious that the yes have it.
Division demanded.
The Council divided:
[Take in from Minutes.]
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters and Freedom Front Plus dissenting).
Deputy Chairperson, I am standing on a point of order. Those voted against is 24 not 34.
No, I didn't say that. I started with those against. Thank you very much, hon Labuschagne, I was actually confusing you, and no, you are not someone who gets easily confused. Vote No 24 - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries - put.
Declarations of vote:
Hon Deputy Chair, the current drought disaster in the Northern Cape deserves serious attention with an adequate responsive plan from the provincial and national government. Funding needs to be provided in order to avoid the potential loss of approximately one million livestock, as well as an estimated 62 000 affected agricultural jobs by December.
It is because of this government's inability to address the matter seriously that the DA cannot support this Budget Vote. Thank you.
Can we get the correct time here. [Interjections.] No, it has nothing to do with you. The Table staff must just correct the time here. It is not correct.
Deputy Chair, the agricultural sector is very important to grow our economy. [Interjections.]
The agricultural sector is very important to grow our economy. The sector has a great potential to create many of the much-needed job opportunities and can help to grow our economy. The agricultural sector, as many other sectors of our economy, is still dominated by a few players and there is thus a great need to ensure inclusive economic participation by all.
The ANC government is committed to ensuring an increased agricultural production to boost our slow economy. The budget is very important to ensure the realisation of the objective and as the ANC, we support this Budget Vote.
We call upon the DA to come on board and help the department in advancing our agrarian and land reform programme. There is a great healing when we pull together in one direction. We noticed that, in the Western Cape, there is a slow pace of inclusive participation in the sector.
We cannot grow our economy when we continue to work in silos. We need a co- ordinated effort from all provinces and municipalities to advance Outcome 7 and Outcome 10 of our Medium-Term Strategic Framework, MTSF, and these are aligned to our NDP goals.
The budget will help unleashing a number of job opportunities under Operation Phakisa, with the target to assist about 435 000 farmers by the end of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework period.
Why does the EFF claim that the ANC government is failing our farmers? This is unwanted and we have made considerable progress in
a certain area under our land reform, especially in the land restitution and security of the land tenure. [Interjections.]
The last 25 years have provided us with a lesson and the department has taken note of areas that still need attention and that will be attended to, as recommended by this Parliament. The ANC supports this budget.
No, the seconds was just too few. It was ... [Inaudible.] ... worth it.
Deputy Chair, on a point of order: I am very happy that she said it on record and that everybody in South Africa heard that they are saying that the ANC is not failing the farmers. The ANC is failing the farmers and if they do not want to accept that they are failing our farmers, it means that the killings of our farmers ... [Interjections.]
It is not a point of order. Can we take it to a debate? It is not a point of order. [interjections.] It is not necessary ... [Interjections.] Hon Koni, I am speaking! Hon Koni, I am speaking! Why are you debating with me? Can you sit down, my dear, please? Hon Koni, it is not necessary for you to
defend the EFF when anybody just says, EFF. They will have to pay you double. You don't have to defend everything that is said about the EFF. [Interjections.] It is not necessary. Some things don't need comment. [Interjections.] Young lady, hon Gillion is on the floor; she called a point of order. [Interjections.] Hon Koni, can you sit down, please? Hon Koni, can you sit ... [Interjections.] You are not an old lady. [Interjections.] Hon Koni, I never said ... You don't have to shout. You don't have to shout. If you are not a young lady, I withdraw the fact that I called you a young lady. Will you sit down? [Interjections.] I don't know why all of you are standing. Can you sit down? [Interjections.]
Chairperson, on a point of order: Really the decorum of this House can be ... [Interjections.] Can we just ... [Interjections.] ... be sorted out? [Interjections.]
Hon Koni, can you sit down? If you are not sitting down now, I am going to request that you be removed. Sit down, please! [Interjections.] Sit down, please! Hon Mthethwa, you can also sit.
Deputy Chairperson, ...
Hon Luthili, you cannot do that in this House, not at all. You cannot tell him to shut up. You will have to withdraw it. [Interjections.] I clearly heard you saying, shut up. You are wrong. You are very wrong. Nobody is now defending you. You are very wrong. You cannot shout at someone to shut up. [Interjections.] The word that you used to tell him to shut up!
Chairperson, you could not hear him but you could hear me.
I heard you shouting, shut up.
You are bias, Chairperson.
I am asking you to withdraw the fact that you said he must shut up.
I withdraw those words.
Afrikaans:
Adjunkvoorsitter, miskien moet ek Afrikaans praat.
Praat asseblief Afrikaans, as jy wil, want jy is vry om een van die elf amptelike tale te praat.
Adjunkvoorsitter, miskien moet ek Afrikaans praat, want dan gaan die agb lid van die Noord-Kaap my beter verstaan. Ek wil dit net beklemtoon dat elke politieke party die reg en die voorreg het om in die Huis 'n stemverklaring te maak. Ek wil vir u vra om dit asseblief onder die aandag van elke politieke party te bring en 'n beroep te doen dat, indien enige politieke party nie gebruik maak van die reg wat hulle het om 'n deklarasie te maak nie, moet hulle asseblief sit en luister, want dit gaan die waardigheid van die Huis beinvloed.
Division demanded.
The Council divided.
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters and Freedom Front Plus dissenting).
Vote No 25 - Economic Development - put
Division demanded.
The Council divided:
AYES: 36: Bebee, L C; Carrim, Y I; Dangor, M; Gillion N M; Govender, L P; Gxoyiya, A B; Llatchmirain, T; Lekganyane, NM; Mamaregane, L; 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; Nchabaleng, 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: 24: 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; Mitchell, D; Moletsane, M S; Motsamai, K; Nhanha, M; Ryder, R; Sileku, I M; Smit, C B F; Visser, C; Wenger, M; Zandamela, S.
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters and Freedom Front Plus dissenting).
Vote 26: Energy - Put
Division demanded.
The Council divided.