Hon chairperson, hon Minister and hon Members of Parliament, the allocation of R5,6 billion to the Department of Environmental Affairs, which aims to give effect to the right of citizens to an environment that is not harmful to their health and to protect the environment for the benefit of present and future generations, is noted by the NFP. However, the cutting of the budget on some subprogrammes of this department, we feel, may lead to serious consequences, as this may have a negative impact on the well-being of the citizens.

Hon Minister, it is not acceptable that the department has a number of vacancies which have remained unfilled because of the failure by the department to finalise recruitment processes, while there is a continuous outcry against rhino poaching in South African parks. Therefore, it is a must that these vacancies are filled with immediate effect in order to combat the rhino poaching in our parks.

The cutting of the budget for the Branch: Legal, Authorisation, Compliance and Enforcement will lead to noncompliance and will weaken enforcement where criminal and administrative enforcement action in response to noncompliance is undertaken. The cutting of the budget of the legal and compliance section will put the environmental sector under immense pressure because of pollution and natural resource degradation. This means, Ministers that you have an obligation to ensure that such noncompliance is prevented.

The NFP notes with appreciation the increase in the allocation to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. However, their corporate strategic plan does not indicate clearly the jobs that will be created for the historically disadvantaged communities in the uMkhanyakude District. It only emphasises the increase in revenue and visitor numbers to the park, while people are being evicted without compensation for their historical land and cannot continue with their farming.

The Branch: Chemicals and Waste Management in the Department of Environmental Affairs is very important. So, to decrease the budget of the Chief Directorate: General Waste and Municipal Support, we feel, is a disaster, because municipalities are experiencing financial constraints due to the number of indigent people they have to look after. Some municipalities are failing to manage their waste disposal sites, which leads to pollution and associated impacts, as well as environmental degradation.

Hon minister, while we appreciate your focus on expanding job creation through the Expanded Public Works Programme, when we consider their earnings, we notice that they are far below the cost of living. The gap between the poor and the rich is not being closed.

Finally, we appreciate the unqualified audit opinion that the department has received, but we as the NFP ... [Interjections.] ... want to see a clean audit. That is what we want to see! Thank you very much. [Laughter.]