Chair, the EFF rises to object to Vote No 9: Government Communication and Information System. It objects on the basis that the President has found it fitting to fragment the Department of Communications into various components, of GCIS, Communications, Telecommunications and Postal Services, all of which were originally located in one Ministry.
The GCIS is an important communication tool to inform, update and increase public awareness about government policies and programmes and to improve citizens' lives. The GCIS has been responsible for ensuring media diversity and development, and including diversity of ways. The SABC has become the mouthpiece of the ruling party, excluding and hiding the debt of the ruling party and various government departments. [Interjections.]
The removal of the GCIS ... [Interjections.]