I thank the hon member for his question. Hon Speaker, at present we have not yet been given the number of jobs that have been lost.
However, as I have outlined, we as a department are ready, as we have the programme of the training layoff schemes. I believe that the farmers, together with us as a department, will need to share that information and we will also need to take the farmers on board regarding how they can implement that programme. I believe that immediately we have the information regarding that - because they have to prove that they really can't afford it - we will share that idea with the hon members as well. For now, I can say ...
... abakakabikhona abantu asebelahlekelwe imisebenzi. [... no one has lost their job yet.]
Thank you very much, hon Speaker.
Background checks for prospective board members and senior officials
197. Mrs J D Kilian (Cope) asked the Minister of Communications:
Whether the appointment of board members to entities reporting to her, as well as senior officials in her department, are subjected to background checks and vetting prior to confirmation or appointment to ensure that the credibility of the institutions is not undermined?