Chairperson, the ANC supports Budget Vote 25 to ensure that we strengthen the criminal justice system; make the Police Service more professional; demilitarise the Police Service; build safety using an integrated approach and build community participation into community safety.
The ANC will never shy away from its duty to make South Africa and its people, all who live in it, a safe and secured nation. In any nation the duty of the government is to ensure the maximum safety of the citizens and Parliament to fund the said priority. The ANC will not abandon their constitutional duty in this regard. The budget of the police should not be used as a political football. There should be consensus by all political parties to support the funding. In some jurisdictions it is usually the fringe parties that oppose police budgets, and not the mainstream parties.
The DA and EFF indicated in the portfolio committee on 11 July that they reserved their right to decide on whether they will support the Budget Vote or not. In the end, they decided to vote against the Budget Vote. In that, they are saying no to the record amount of R72,5 billion to fight crime and corruption. They are saying no to the implementation of the recommendations of the NDP and the building of safer communities. By voting no today, they are saying that they have no interest in improving the living and service conditions of the more than 200 000 policewomen and men who are fighting crime in this country. That is the reality.
We heard many complaints from that side of the House regarding the police, but let us look at what the National Development Plan says. Part of this budget is to implement the National Development Plan, namely, in the short- term to implement the code of conduct that should be included in disciplinary regulations, and a performance appraisal system, while periodic checks should be conducted regarding their level of understanding. The ANC supports the budget. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Division demanded.
The House divided:
AYES - 206: Abrahams, B L; Adams, F; Basson, J V; Bekwa, S D; Beukman, F; Bhengu, F; Bhengu, P; Bhengu, N R; Bilankulu, N K; Bongo, B T; Bonhomme, T J; Booi, M S; Boroto, M G; Boshielo, S P; Capa, R N; Capa, N; Carrim, Y I; Cele, M A; Chikunga, L S; Chohan, F I; Chueu, M P; Coleman, E M; Cronin, J P; Cwele, S C; Davies, R H; Didiza, A T; Dlakude, D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlodlo, A; Dlomo, B J; Dlulane, B N; Dunjwa, M L; Ebrahim, E S; Faku, Z C; Fubbs, J L; Galo, M P; Gcwabaza, N E; Gigaba, K M N; Gina, N; Godi, N T; Goqwana, M B; Gordhan, P J; Gumede, D M; Hanekom, D A; Jeffery, J H; Johnson, M; Jonas, M H; Kalako, M U; Kekana, P S; Kekana, E; Kekana, M D; Kenye, T E; Khoarai, L P; Khosa, D H; Khoza, T Z M; Khubisa, N M; Kilian, J D; Koornhof, G W; Kota-Fredricks, Z A; Kubayi, M T; Kwankwa, N L S; Lesoma, R M M; Letsatsi-Duba, D B; Loliwe, F S; Luyenge, Z; Luzipo, S; Maake, J J; Mabe, B P; Mabe, P P; Mabija, L; Mabilo, S P; Madella, A F; Madlopha, C Q; Maesela, P; Mafolo, M V; Mafu, N N; Magadla, N W; Magadzi, D P; Magwanishe, G; Mahlalela, A F; Mahlangu, D G; Mahlangu, J L; Maila, M S A; Majola, F Z; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makondo, T; Makwetla, S P; Malgas, H H; Maluleke, J M; Manana, D P; Manana, M N S; Mandela, Z M D; Mantashe, P T; Maphatsoe, E R K; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Mapulane, M P; Martins, B A D; Masango, M S A; Masehela, E K M; Maseko, L M; Mashatile, S P; Mashego-Dlamini, K C; Mashile, B L; Masina, M C; Masondo, N A; Masuku, M B; Masutha, T M; Mathale, C C; Mathebe, D H; Matlala, M H; Matshoba, M O; Matsimbi, C; Mavunda, R T; Maxegwana, C H M; Mchunu, S; Mdaka, N M; Mdakane, M R; Mjobo, L N; Mkongi, B M; Mmemezi, H M Z; Mmola, M P; Mmusi, S G; Mnganga - Gcabashe, L A; Mnguni, P J; Mnguni, D; Mnisi, N A; Mogotsi, V P; Mokoto, N R; Molebatsi, M A; Molewa, B E E; Morutoa, M R; Mosala, I; Motimele, M S; Motshekga, M S; Motsoaledi, P A; Mpontshane, A M; Mpumlwana, L K B; Mthembu, J M; Mthembu, N; Mthethwa, E M; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndaba, C N; Ndabeni-Abrahams, S T; Ndongeni, N; Nel, A C; Nene, N M; Nesi, B A; Ngcobo, B T; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nkadimeng, M F; Nkwinti, G E; Nobanda, G N; Nqakula, C; Ntombela, M L D; Nxesi, T W; Nyalungu, R E; Nzimande, B E; Oliphant, M N; Oliphant, G G; Oosthuizen, G C; Pandor, G N M; Patel, E; Phosa, Y N; Pikinini, I A; Pilane-Majake, M C C; Qikani, A D N; Radebe, B A; Radebe, G S; Ralegoma, S M; Ramaphosa, M C; Ramatlakane, L; Ramatlhodi, N A; Ramokhoase, T R J E; Rantho, D Z; Raphuti, D D; Scheepers, M A; Semenya, M R; September, C C; Shelembe, M L; Shope-Sithole, S C N; Sibande, M P; Sisulu, L N; Siwela, E K; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Skwatsha, M; Smith, V G; Sotyu, M M; Surty, M E; Tleane, S A; Tobias, T V; Tom, X S; Tongwane, T M A; Tseke, G K; Tseli, R M; Tsenoli, S L; Tshwete, P; Tsoleli, S P; Tsopo, M A; Tsotetsi, D R; Van der Merwe, L L; Van Rooyen, D D D; Van Schalkwyk, S R; Xego-Sovita, S T; Yengeni,L E; Zulu, L D.
NOES - 55: America, D; Atkinson, P G; Basson, L J; Bergman, D; Bhanga, B M; Bozzoli, B; Brauteseth, T J; Breytenbach, G; Cardo, M J; Chance, R W T; Davis, G R; De Freitas, M S F; De Kock, K; Esau, S; Figg, M J; Figlan, A M; Gqada, T; Greyling, L W; Grootboom, G A; Hadebe, T Z; Horn, W; James, L V; Jongbloed, Z; Kopane, S P; Kruger, H C C; Lorimer, J R B; Lotriet, A; Mackay, G; Mackenzie, C; Macpherson, D W; Maimane, M A; Majola, T R; Marais, E J; Masango, S J; Maynier, D J; Mbhele, Z N; Mcloughlin, A R; Mhlongo, T W; Michael, N W A; Mileham, K J; Motau, S C; Ollis, I M; Rabotapi, M W; Schmidt, H C; Shinn, M R; Stander, T; Steenhuisen, J H; Steyn, A; Tarabella Marchesi, N I; Twala, D L; Van der Westhuizen, A P; Van Dyk, V; Vos, J; Whitfield, A G; Wilson, E R.
ABSTAIN - 4: Joseph, B D; Matlhoko, A M; Maxon, H O; Swart, S N.
Vote accordingly agreed to. Vote No 26 - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries - put.
Declarations of vote: