Hon Chair, we have a minister of home affairs that is up and running after such a short period of his appointment. I hope that he can keep up the pace. The IEC has made us proud. I am going to acknowledge that. That is why most of us are here. Al Jama- ah, ALJAMA, is thrilled that the budget for identification services has increased by R56 billion, a whopping 23%. We head that the banks are investing in further professionalising identification services.
Things will improve, now that you have appointed two ambassadors to provide this identification service. This year, I got my identity
document, ID, and passport in two weeks. I've had a good experience, well done Mr Minister.
Al Jama-ah, ALJAMA is disappointed that the budget for status services has decreased by 88%. A marriage status speaks to the human dignity of women. The latest legislation should not be an obstacle when it comes to the registration of marriage certificates arising out of religious marriages, especially Muslims who had a religious ceremony and received their lobola.
Therefore, when a Muslim woman presents her religious marriage certificate with lobola clearly stated and certified by a commissioner of oath, her marriage must be registered and a certificate must be issued. Thus, when her husband dies, she can take the death certificate, which indicates that he was married, to get for example; a car transferred to her name, claim UIF, death benefits and more.
We welcome the budget increase for refugees and asylum seekers. This shows that South Africa, for the first time, has a caring government. The minister has demonstrated leadership by giving orders that schooling for children of refugees and asylum seekers may not be disrupted. Minister, please help include college and
university students. Many university students cannot continue with their studies this month, because of delays in the status of their parents.
Please help minister, so that young girls can continue with their studies. I would like to hear that you will help the African child who is trying to improve their education. It is high time that selected churches, temples and mosques be designated as refugee reception centres and not just the half a dozen that we have now. The President in his Sona, identified a very important aspects that affects the department and that is threatning the state.
We question the department's increase in outsource services from R14 billion to R120 billion. Minister, please heed the call of the president, capacitate and equip the staff instead of outsourcing.