Through you, Speaker, hon President, the Executive Members' Ethics Act is one of the measures that government has instituted to ensure that we actually comply with the Constitution and the provisions of accountability. It is aimed at ensuring that public office is not abused and that knowledge of government business is not determined on the basis of people in high office knowing the inside trading, etc that they could advance for their own benefit.
Hon President, since you became the head of state, several instances of self-enrichment and abuse of the privileges of office by members of your Cabinet, as well as provincial premiers and their executives, have occurred. The question is: Do you agree that against the background of popular uprising against corrupt regimes on our continent, specifically Libya, Syria and elsewhere, it would set a dangerous precedent for our country, especially for poor and destitute communities, if politicians in high office appear to be immune from sanction by your government and by you as head of state? Thank you. [Applause.]