South Africa is one, sovereign, democratic state. We have a territory
with internationally recognized boundaries. We enjoy international
recognition; have a democratic elected government exercising its power
over our country’s territory.

It is therefore not a surprise when the nation responded in anger when
it was found that the guests for a wedding of a private individual
landed on a military installation on the morning of the 30th of April
2013. This anger was justified and our people demanded answers.

The African National Congress, through our Secretary General, Comrade
Gwede Mantashe, issued a statement later on the same day expressing our
shared concern. I quote from that statement. “The African National
Congress waited patiently for the South African National Defence Force
(SANDF) the body delegated with Authority over the Waterkloof Airforce
Base, to explain to the nation how these private individuals managed to
land an aircraft at Waterkloof. Up until now, no explanation has been
forthcoming. The African National Congress driven by the concern for the
safety and sovereignty of South Africa shall never allow a situation
where our ports of entry and National Key Points are penetrated with
impunity.

We (the ANC) demand that those who are responsible for granting access
to land the aircraft in our country also explain the basis upon which
such permission was granted, particularly to land at Waterkloof Airforce
Base. Those who cannot account must be brought to book. The African
National Congress will never rest where there is any indication that all
and sundry may be permitted to undermine the Republic, its Citizens and
its borders. We again make the call, even at this late hour, to the
SANDF to explain how this private aircraft landed at Waterkloof Airforce
Base; our National Key Point.” End quote.

The alliance partners COSATU and the SACP also issued statements
demanding answers and expressing their concern. COSATU called for an
urgent investigation into whom authorized the landing and called for
those wanting to be disciplined. In its statement the SACP called on
government to investigate how it happened and for those responsible to
be brought to book.

On the 2nd of May 2013 the Ministers of the Justice, Crime Prevention
and Security Cluster instructed a team of Directors General to
investigate the matter, giving them seven working days to complete the
investigation. In doing this the Ministers communicated that the bucks
stop with them, that they demand answers and action. It is also
important to note at this point that two Ministers, the Minister of
Transport, the Honorable Martins and the Minister of Defence, the
Honorable Mapisa Nquakula have said no. No to the exclusive use of OR
Tambo, and no to the use of Waterkloof Airforce Base. The executive
fulfilled their responsibilities at that point already!

Even before the findings of the report were communicated, it was
rubbished by the opposition and the detractors of government. The
opposition participates in this Parliament, well, at least they collect
their salaries every month, and by that I gather that they accept that
this government is a legitimate, democratically elected government. Yet,
they will leave no stone unturned, to illegitimise government and taint
the image of South Africa, no matter the consequences. (But why are we
surprised? It is the same opposition whose mayor in the city of Cape
Town said that the people of Khayalitsha prefer bucket toilets.)

The fact that government reacted immediately and decisively is an
indication of a maturing democracy. There was no effort to sweep the
incident under the carpet.

We welcome the criminal cases that were already opened and encourage the
various Departments as they finalize their investigations to open more
cases if they found that there are more people that should answer to the
laws As Parliamentarians we need to take cognizance of the weaknesses of
the system that was identified through the report. We should engage with the
relevant Departments and the Members of the Executive to report on how
they have corrected the weaknesses in the system in order to prevent the
reoccurrence of such an incident. The use of Metro Police Officers by a
private security company again highlights the need of a single police
service in the country as the ANC has voiced over a period of time. The
behavior of the Private Security Company emphasizes and demonstrates the
need for stronger and more effective regulating of the Private Security
Industry. There is a need, and a responsibility on us to put in place
measures that will ensure that individuals in the Public Service can not
manipulate the system and collude in the way we have seen it happening
here.
Society should engage itself with the abuse of power and confront and
address that what we see throughout our daily lives by those with money
who believes that they can bend the rules or that rules does not apply
to them. It embodies itself in various forms within society. You look at
our roads and see how many vehicles are driving without number plates –
speeding recklessly – it is not your average vehicles but top of the
range, luxury vehicles. These people act with impunity and believe that
the same rules and laws do not apply to them. This culture aid and abets
corruption. We need to deal with it where it happens, when it happens.
We also need to remind ourselves what Chapter 10 of our Constitution
says about the basic values and principles that must govern our public
administration and service. As a country, the executive and parliament
this is what we should demand from our public administration at all
levels. This is how we expect their leadership to behave and to lead. We
must demand public servants with a high standard of professional ethics
who provide services impartially, fairly, equitably and without bias and
who are accountable to the people the executive and parliament.

Honorable Speaker

We accept that the opposition is suffering from a serious case of
election fever and government envy. There is nothing to be done about
it. But, I want to say to the millions of South Africans out there –
again in the words of the Secretary General of the African National
Congress, Cde Gwede Mantashe, the ANC is not for sale. Our country is
not for sale. Not to big business nor to any other countries interest.
As a collective leadership in the ANC we will guard over our hard won
freedom, our sovereignty and our standing in the International
Community.

I thank you.