Chairperson, I think this is the point I've been making. Yes, there is a Constitutional Court judgment regarding the Soobramoney case. The Constitutional Court did rule that indeed, given certain criteria, a person can be excluded from dialysis. The court ruled that it's within the right of medical doctors to exclude a person. In support of this, the court quoted the issue of expenses and whether a successful outcome is guaranteed - issues that I alluded to earlier on. The court also quoted the issue of whether the country can actually afford a particular hospital.
However, when we make our protocols we try our best to base the protocol on medical conditions as reasonably as we can. Nevertheless, the Constitutional Court did make a ruling that it is constitutional to be excluded. I believe it is unfortunate when one looks at it from the point of view of human compassion, but such a ruling does exist.
Steps taken by department to deal with alleged corruption by contractors and to ensure proper management of human settlement development
59. Ms B N Dambuza (ANC) asked the Minister of Human Settlements:
What is his department doing to (a) deal with the problem of alleged manipulation and corruption by contractors who are assigned to co- ordinate housing beneficiary lists, especially in Matatiele and (b) to ensure that municipalities take responsibility in co-ordinating and managing human settlement development in their areas?