Hon Deputy Speaker, it has been reported that the SA Reserve Bank has outsourced the printing of R8 billion in R100 notes to a Swedish company, whilst hundreds of employees at its Pretoria bank note- making company sit idle.
It was further reported that the Reserve Bank had to shred more than R3,6 million on R100 notes after errors were made with the serial numbers. The problem is compounded even more in that we are now told that the notes manufactured in Sweden are the incorrect size and colour and will, in all likelihood, cause problems when dispensed by our local automated teller machines. The IFP would appreciate further explanation of the matter for everybody's benefit. I thank you.