When President Zuma introduced Budget Vote No 1 last week, he said government is promoting the agenda of Africa and the south. Speaking about the bombing of Libya, the President said: "We strongly believe that Resolution 1973 is being abused for regime change, political assassinations and foreign military occupation."
Even though the Presidency knew that some Western powers were pursuing regime change and foreign military occupation, his government still gave legitimacy to an illegal regime change in Cte d'Ivoire by attending Alassane Ouattara's inauguration, after a coup d'tat by the French special forces and the United Nations, UN. [Interjections.] The majority of African states chose to boycott the event, yet our Deputy President attended on behalf of South Africa, endorsing the illegitimate government.
The Presidency should have condemned the injustices in that country, rather than endorse an agenda that is not going to help the continent of Africa. I believe it would be incorrect to support this Budget Vote because what the President has said is contradicted by what the Presidency is doing. [Interjections.]