No, I am coming to that. I am coming! Just ... [Interjections.] I would like to speak in isiZulu, but you would not understand. [Interjections.]
Let me address your concern about the Minister of State Security's stopping the investigation into the Guptas' influence over the government. I would like to say, categorically, no. I am saying no because, firstly, we have not heard of the activities of peddling certain information mentioned by the so-called Munusamy in the Daily Maverick. Then, there was no such investigation.
What we said, and we said this publicly, is that as the responsible Minister I would - and I always do - stop illegal activities, particularly where people use our capacity as intelligence to handle their private business ventures. We will never accept it and we will always stop it. So I just want to state that we will not allow our resources to be utilised for factional, personal, private battles. We will not allow it, because some of this interferes with people's human rights. That is what the members have been saying. We will not allow our assets to be used to listen to people illegally, even without the permission of a judge. We will always stop them, and I am not ashamed of that.
Other members have raised the concern of the challenges of terrorism, and they have gone even further in that regard. [Interjections.] They just read the newspapers; they do not listen to the briefings which we give them. They have even gone to the extent of saying that Al Qaeda is creating cells under our very noses.
It is not our policy to comment on ongoing operational matters. We will not do so, even if things are raised in the media. What we have said, and we will continue to say, is that through our regular assessments we have become aware that some South Africans are actively linked to some elements which are involved in terrorist activities elsewhere - in particular Al Qaeda. I am confident of this, because these are investigations which are being done with our different agencies collaborating with each other. I will not comment any further on that except to say - and let me just be clear on this - we are not a banana republic! Let me appeal to members. It is one thing to have intelligence, but it is an altogether different kettle of fish to produce evidence that can be used in court. I would like to reiterate that our government is very committed to fighting this scourge of global terrorism.
We would like to say we have shown that we have adequate legislation, and we are even able to prosecute those who commit these acts outside our country, because of the nature of the Acts that we have in South Africa and their importance. The recent judgments in Johannesburg attest to this. People sat in our country and planned terrorist activities in Nigeria. We interacted with the Nigerians. Unfortunately, we could not prevent some of the killings, but the perpetrators have been sentenced in our courts.
At times it may take a long time. That is not because we are stupid or have inefficient intelligence. It takes time to convert intelligence into evidence. So, let us be patient on this.
Some hon members are concerned about the vacancies. We share that concern. We had intended that by this time we would have filled the vacant senior posts. Unfortunately, some of the processes in Parliament have gone a little slowly and we hope that with the finalisation of the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill we will be able to fill posts in the higher structures. It would be pre-emptive of us to start making such appointments before Parliament gives us an indication of where they want us to go. So, we share the concern.
Almost all the opposition members started shifting the subject of this debate to the Waterkloof incident, some of them even creating the impression that we are some form of a banana republic where aircraft just fly into our airspace and land without our knowing! There is no truth in that. Today the investigating team, which is being led by our Acting Deputy- General, Mr Dlomo, produced the interim report. What is left now is for our convenor in the cluster to co-ordinate us so that we can study the report, take further action where necessary and, at the appropriate time, take our public on board. It is not secret. [Interjections.]
While we await this report, let me say again that we are not a banana republic. What is being investigated is not whether there was authorisation or not. There was authorisation. We have that information, but what is in question is how that authorisation was obtained. That is what seems to be irregular. How was it done? So, let us as members be patient. Allow us, as government, to complete these processes. We will take you on board at an appropriate time.
I was worried about one member. I did not know about the insinuation that I was involved in the Central African Republic! We were involved in the CAR because we had soldiers there. We all know about the unfortunate incidents. We are still involved there now, because, as I said, the security situation in that country is deteriorating. This was the case even after the rebels took over, and even after the formation of the interim government, which is inclusive. People are being raped. Those of certain religions, particularly Christians, are being targeted and destroyed. If you could see what they have done to the cathedral in Bangui! We cannot allow that, because the Central African Republic has always been a secular republic - there are both Muslims and Christians there. We cannot allow the violation of basic human rights and the gross violation of human rights by the rebels. So, this is our involvement.
We said we would act through the region, the AU, and the United Nations, which is conducting an investigation into what type of security resources - the numbers and the equipment - are needed to control security. Without security we cannot deal with the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic.
With these words, let me say that I have tried to address as honestly as I can the concerns raised by the members, and I hope I have done so. We will continue to be the eye of the nation. We will continue to protect our country and our citizens against all sorts of threats, and we would like to work with you - even you, the opposition - because when national security is compromised, it affects not just the ruling party, but all of us.
HON MEMBERS: Hear, hear!