Chairperson, firstly, I want to apologise to hon Marais, because I took it for granted that he knew that the State Information Technology Agency, Sita's, funding, under Mondi Plastic Containers South Africa, MPCSA, is limited to operational activities only, whilst it draws more funding from the National Skills Authority. So, I apologise for not giving him that information.
I also want to highlight some of the issues that were raised, particularly on the low morale of people in the Public Service, ill discipline and corruption. Also, hon members have quoted from the diagnostic report. I thought the portfolio committee was briefed on the strategic plan of the department. I have even consulted with the chairperson of the portfolio committee and he said they were briefed on the turnaround strategy.
I think if members don't have an understanding on what is said by the officials, they should raise their hands to show that they don't understand and request to have what was said repeated. I am raising this because I understand that there are different kinds of people.
I now come to the question of allocations within the Public Service Commission, particularly that the budget should come straight from the Treasury and that it is not enough. If the funding is not enough, it is the responsibility of the Members of Parliament to approach the appropriation committee and request more funding in order for the programme of that particular department to be fulfilled. I therefore appeal to the hon members that they must approach the appropriation committee.
Regarding the African Peer Review Mechanism, APRM, budget, there is a central budget to which all the departments from the continent are contributing. It is not only South Africa. It is based on its membership. Therefore, as a country, we are committed to having a better and more prosperous Africa and we will continue to participate in the APRM.
Some of the issues raised are really based on denial by not accepting the progress made by the government or the department. I warn hon members that, when we talk about corruption, we usually don't talk about the corruption of the mind; yet, immediately, when you deny that there is progress made and you get that information, at the end of the day you will suffer from what is called "corruption of the mind". That one is very difficult, because it ends up making a person become - in isiZulu they say she or he is ''uhubhu kabhejane'' [a blatant liar]. I don't know what that is in English. [Laughter.]
Finally, I want to say that if a member doesn't understand the briefing, particularly on the turnaround strategy by the various institutions, the officials are available to come now and again. Members should ask them to explain themselves clearly. I know we were not born the same or at the same time; and, of course, even at school there are people who are called slow learners. So, too, here there are those who have a slow understanding. Thank you. [Applause.] [Laughter.]
Debate concluded.