SPEECH BY ANNELIZE VAN WYK IN THE DEBATE ON THE LANDING OF AN AIRPLANE AT THE WATERKLOOF AIRFORCE BASE, May 22 2013

Honorable Speaker

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. 

Issued by the ANC, May 22 2013

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter