Ms Van Der Merwe, I want to clarify issues here. I said, we can issue a passport and a smart ID within 13 working days, which is the standard. I also said, for the members of this House, as we have done in the trucks, we could deliver within 48 hours. It is not because we are doing anybody a favour, it's because it's practical.
According to the system we are using today, which is the use of trucks and in all 191 offices, as you apply, the government printers would have printed a passport and a smart ID. The reason that it takes 13 days it's the logistics of going to supply it in the office where you apply for it because it must be couriered, so that it doesn't get lost. There is no other method of sending it. Now, to courier something here to the Members of Parliament can be done within 48 hours. That is why we did it for her; we can also do it for you or anybody. It's just a practical thing. [Applause.]
We did not bring those trucks here because we are doing you a favour. It is because I got a letter from a Chief Whip of this Parliament that we must bring them to serve Members of Parliament, and we are pleased we agreed, that's why we brought them here. Hon Meshoe - he's not here - he wrote a note to ask for my speech because he said he have seen very good things on it, but I don't know why he comes here and say something else.
I use to believe that everybody who is a minister of religion will understand. I actually gave him that copy, but it's clear he didn't look at it. I said that there were 2 132 fraudulent marriages that were brought to our attention, and we were able to solve 1 160. We
discovered that those marriages were fraudulent. We have annulled and cancelled them. Therefore, they no longer exist.
For other 346 marriages, we have got records to believe that they were legitimate marriages. It's only that the people who entered into those marriages no longer want to be in them. We have got their fingerprints, their signatures, etc. In some cases, there were witnesses who were there. So, they have been given an advice that if they no longer want their marriage, they mustn't come to Home Affairs, rather, they must go to court.
Normally, that is how it's done. Once one is married and the marriage is recognised by law, when one no longer wants it, one must divorce, and divorces do not take place in Home Affairs; they take place in the court of law. That's basically what happens in that case. Hon Khanyile, I really want to help you, but Mr Sigama whom you have spoken about is a Deputy Director-General, DDG, of Civics. He has just sent me an email, which he responded to you on 28 February 2019 at 10h41.
I don't know whether his response was not enough to you, but after this debate I want to bring him so that he meets with you to solve this problem, so that we don't have to fight in the House
[Applause.] He has told me that he has responded to you, but I still want to meet with you and him because he's here, so that we can see how we solve this issue.
For us as politicians to squabble here while a child is suffering, it also won't help us. I really want to resolve that issue. [Applause.] Ntate Shaik Emam, you said that you want an hour with me, you have got it. Yes, let's come and talk because you are going to help. [Applause.] The last issue is that hwhich was said about the foreign-owned banks. You know, there are certain things which I do not understand about giving them information that they are not supposed to be having.
This surprises me because every single member of this Parliament has got a bank account. You have given the banks every information they required about you, which I don't even have in Home Affairs. Yes, you gave them information about who you are; the address where you are staying and who's your next of kin. They even know how much is in your bank account, which I don't even know. But now I am being accused here for giving them information about citizens.
Members are talking about the clients who voluntarily came to the bank, open an account and gave the banks all the information they
needed. So, what wrong have I done in giving them the same information? The banks are just a station to help so that you don't have to go and queue. It is a way of fighting to stand long in the queues.
So, I actually do not understand what the issue is. If the banks are foreign-owned, and all of you are banking there, you are banking in foreign- owned institutions. Why can't I also use them like you do? Unless someone can make me understand, please, maybe I'm confused. Thank you very much.