Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the Presidency's budget vote speech to the National Assembly on Thursday, in a tense political atmosphere. This is after former spy and later prison boss Arthur Fraser laid criminal charges against him.
Deputy President David Mabuza says political leaders must rise above petty differences and develop the country."We as government must lead the charge against corruption and inefficiencies," Mabuza tells the MPs.
Two EFF MPs, Veronica Mente and Omphile Maotwe, were removed from the virtual platform. Borotho says she won't continue with the sitting until all MPs on the virtual platform are muted. - Jason FelixMente is arguing with Boroto whether there is a court order that said Ramaphosa is a murderer. Much shouting on the virtual platform, from the ANC and EFF. Boroto says Mente must be muted."You kept on insulting," says Boroto. EFF MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi says Boroto is biased. EFF MPs Omphile Maotwe and Vuyani Pambo are also removed from virtual platform.Mente is arguing with Boroto whether there is a court order that said Ramaphosa is a murderer. Much shouting on the virtual platform, from the ANC and EFF. Boroto says Mente must be muted."You kept on insulting," says Boroto. EFF MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi says Boroto is biased. EFF MPs Omphile Maotwe and Vuyani Pambo are also removed from virtual platform.House chairperson Grace Boroto the matter at hand is the Presidency budget vote. She shouldn't be talking about the earlier rulings."I am not going to be intimidated," says Mente.EFF MP Veronica Mente will speak on behalf of the EFF. She starts off complaining that the Speaker removed EFF leader Julius Malema wrongfully from the platform."How are you different for your predecessor, Mr President?" says Steenhuisen."Phala Phala is becoming your Nkandla."Steenhuisen says Parliament's job is to hold the executive accountable."Every day these questions are unanswered, does irreparable harm to the Presidency." Steenhuisen says even Ramaphosa's biggest praise singers realise the emperor is naked after all. He draws a parallel to today's events with the Zuma era.Steenhuisen said normal people can't imagine R62 million that Ramaphosa allegedly stuffed in his couch. He said a full disclosure would have disrupted the earlier disruption in the House. Steenhuisen says a innocent man would clear things up."Again Mr President, I'm asking you for the sake of the Presidency, for the sake of South Africa, to come clean on the allegations?" Steenhuisen lists several questions arising from the allegations.Steenhuisen said Ramaphosa last year deposed an affidavit to court saying"what a good man Arthur Fraser is". He says Ramaphosa"deftly avoided" the allegations against him.DA leader John Steenhuisen is the next speaker. He says the reality is that no one really knows what is happening in the Presidency. He says its the only ministry without an oversight committee."As the ANC we have noted the allegations levelled agaisnt the President," Majodina says. She says it must be investigated by law enforcement without undue political interference. Earlier on Thursday, she told the National Assembly Programming Committee that Ramaphosa shouldn't be called to Parliament to explain these allegations.- Jan GerberRamaphosa is done with his address. Next up is ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina."We are a government hard at work to grow our economy and create jobs. And our hard work is bearing fruit," Ramaphosa said.ANC MPs shout 'asijiki' meaning 'we will not be led astray' when Ramaphosa makes those comments. Some of them clapped as the President spoke."The state is being steadily rebuilt and credibility is also being restored in the state. "The fight against corruption continues apace, and the net is closing in on those who for years grew fat off the money and resources meant for the benefit of the South African people. "It is they who fear the renewal agenda most. And they will do anything to divert the focus from themselves.5h ago "I announced during the 2022 SONA that I would embark on a programme of District Development Model Izimbizo. "These engagements afford communities the opportunity to raise their most pressing concerns and provides an opportunity for government to give direct updates on service delivery. "To date, Presidential Izimbizo's have been held in the North West, Free State and Mpumalanga and we intend to visit all the provinces in due course."Ramaphosa says next month marks a year since"terrible unrest and violence rocked parts of our country and wiped approximately R50 billion off our nation's economy". "As the Presidency we are working with the respective departments to coordinate the implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Panel chaired by Professor Sandy Africa. "A new Director General was appointed to the State Security Agency earlier this year, and a number of critical vacancies have been filled, or are in the process of being filled, in the SSA, Crime Intelligence and the SAPS. "Four thousand members have been earmarked to build capacity in the Public Order Policing Unit once they have undergone basic training, and for the financial year 2022/2023 a further 5 000 trainees will be recruited.""A stronger, better capacitated South African Police Service is key to combating crimes of violence against women and children that continue to be a real scourge in our country," said Ramaphosa. "In January this year, I signed into law three bills that will strengthen the fight against gender-based violence and afford greater protection for survivors. "The police this year received a budget increase that is less than inflation, and its budget for visible policing has been reduced, while the police continue to spend more on protection services than priority crime investigations, like grand corruption."In recent days we have seen those who stand to lose the most from the fight against corruption resorting to dirty tricks and intimidation in a bid to get us to back down. Ramaphosa said:"The serious threat levelled against the Director-General in the Presidency is deplorable and we condemn it in the strongest terms. "It is a sign of the lengths to which these criminals will go. But we will not be deterred by threats of any kind."We will restore the values of integrity and credibility to our government."At the same time, we are giving equal attention to safety and security in our communities."He repeats the he will deliver an implementation plan on the Zondo report four months after its publication."Work has begun on the large number of recommendations made in the parts of the report received to date. "We will only have the full measure of the work required when we receive the final report from the Chief Justice.""As we move forward, we strive to build a capable, ethical and developmental state there is no room for engendering corruption," Ramaphosa said, stuttering a little before saying"engendering corruption". "We will continue to support the work of the Investigating Directorate of the National Prosecuting Authority, the Special Investigating Unit and its Special Tribunal, the Fusion Centre and all state entities involved in the fight against corruption. "The SIU is achieving a great deal of success in its applications to the SIU Tribunal for the cancellation of contracts and the return of funds. "We will be ensuring that the recommendations contained in all SIU reports are systematically processed and sent on to the respective entities to which findings have been made and urging that they are acted upon, and stolen funds from the state and the taxpayer, are recovered."During his state of the nation address this year, Ramaphosa promised that he would deliver this social compact within 100 days. That didn't happen, and he later said he meant working days. That would be next week.Ramaphosa said:"We are working in earnest to conclude our negotiations on a social compact, as stated during the State of the Nation Address. "The discussions we are having with social partners are dealing with difficult issues that have wide-ranging implications for our economy. "We are hoping to build a new consensus that pairs economic reform with measures to support employment and expand social protection. "We are determined that the social compact should be substantial and meaningful that makes a real and lasting difference to the trajectory of our economy."- Jan Gerber"The latest programme to be launched through the employment stimulus is the Social Employment Fund, which has started to recruit 50 000 participants in community safety, food and nutrition, digital inclusion, and sports, arts, and recreation," says Ramaphosa."A further 50 000 participants will be recruited for the revitalised National Youth Service, of which more than 7 000 have already started work."In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed.
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