House Chairperson, indeed, we are dealing with Vote No 27, which includes the Department of Communications, together with its entities. Just to reflect on what the hon member said on the issue of the SABC, if you look at this annual report and the financial report that fall under this Budget Vote, there is no bailout right now.
The SABC had actually been lent money and they paid it back even before the time they were required to pay. The contribution of the state to the SABC is 3% of the overall budget. So, we do not even pay much money. I suggest that the hon member must try to check the Budget Vote, the annual performance plan, APP, financial statements and the annual report so that when we debate, we are able to clarify certain issues.
On the appointment of staff, we in the committee, during the budget hearing, unanimously we called on both Minister Cwele and Minister Muthambi to stabilise the entities and the departments, and to ensure that, where we have acting positions, people are appointed permanently. So, we have requested that people should be appointed in all those vacant posts in which they are acting ...
I am really confused when members make pronouncements and give a mandate to Ministers to appoint people and fill vacant posts, and when they do so, we come here and complain about it. We need to be very clear on this as the national legislature. What are we saying? What are we overseeing? What are we monitoring? We seem to be sending confusing messages to the executive and that is not going to assist this House. Thank you very much, Chair. [Applause.]
Vote agreed to (Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters African Christian Democratic Party dissenting).
Vote 28 - Economic Development - put.
Declarations of vote: