Deputy Speaker, about two months ago President Zuma pledged to curb excessive government spending in the wake of the scandal over ministerial cars. That has, unfortunately, not happened.
About two months earlier, on 24 June to be exact, during the debate on the Presidency Budget Vote, the hon Deputy President made a statement that appears in today's Question Paper, in essence, correctly saying that excessive government spending does not make economic and ethical sense. We agree with him that financial mismanagement by government is unethical, wrong and insensitive to millions of South Africans who struggle to put a decent meal on the table.
What we want to know is whether the above statements by both the President and the Deputy President were discussed with the Cabinet. If yes, were there any agreements and what were the agreements about these statements? If not, why not, because the public outcry is loud and clear as a result of the difficult economic conditions they find themselves in? And as the Deputy President correctly said, they want to see moderation in government spending. Thank you.