Hon Ndlozi, take your seat. ...
Hon members, the House must take exception to this constant use and abuse of racial appellations in the conduct of our affairs. [Applause.] You can read the Rules and interpret them as they state ... [Interjections.] What's wrong with your referring to Deputy Ministers? When you degenerate into using race as your objection, you are creating a problem. I am just suggesting that it is not appropriate that we go that route.
Hon members, I also find it terribly strange that where circumstances allow it we should not, in the interests of accountability, allow members of the executive to answer questions - whether Deputy Ministers or Ministers. You are correct in pointing out the Rules as they stand. So, where evidence is sufficiently strong for us to allow for those circumstances that will allow it to happen, allow us presiding officers the latitude to make that decision. Our doing so is in the interests of accountability.
Does who it comes from really matter? It matters in important ways when we are unable to get any responses. I get excited when many Ministers and their deputies are here to answer questions - Ministers alone or with their deputies.
I suggest that this matter be dealt with in the Rules Committee, so that we do not come back to it, for some kind of finalisation, and so that we get guidance on this position.
I would like to stop at that and allow us to proceed. Thank you very much, hon members. [Applause.]