ACDP Parliamentary newsletter - 3 September 2003

Here is the latest news from Parliament:

1. Lowering the age of sexual consent - Catch Steve Swart debate live on Cape Talk/Radio 702 tonight
2. Legislation passed in Parliament
3. Report-back on questions on peace and security in Parliament

Indien u sou belangstel om in te teken op die ACDP se weeklikse Afrikaanse e-nuusbrief, skryf aan Johan Kriel by johankriel@acdp.org.za. Hierdeur sal u op die hoogte bly van 'n wye verskeidenheid sake wat die ACDP landswyd raak.

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1.Lowering the age of sexual consent radio debate tonight

Catch Steve Swart live on Cape Talk/Radio 702 from 10pm this evening discussing the new Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill that effectively reduces of the age of consent for sexual intercourse.

"Whilst not being oblivious to the fact that many children are sexually active, it is utterly outrageous that twelve to sixteen year olds, most of whom will not have reached puberty, should legally be able to give their consent to older persons who want to exploit them sexually," Steve says.

"Minors may not enter binding contracts without parental guidance. It is furthermore illegal to sell liquor or cigarettes to children under the age of 18, as these are deemed harmful to children's health. Surely this should be minimum age that children be allowed to consent to sex, particularly in view of the HIV/AIDS pandemic? Casual sexual relationships nowadays have having life-threatening consequences."

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2. Liquor Bill passed in Parliament

Supporting the passing of the Liquor Bill in Parliament yesterday, ACDP MP Steve Swart said that while the ACDP welcomed the fact that the Bill included commitments to combat alcohol abuse, the ACDP strongly recommended that the "closed days" (namely Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Sundays for the sale of liquor by retailers) be included in the provincial legislation that will regulate the retail sector. ___________________________________________________________

ACDP abstains from Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Bill vote

The ACDP chose to abstain from voting on the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Bill in Parliament yesterday. Although the Bill aims to uplift those who were previously disadvantaged, the ACDP felt that ownership of the economy should reflect the full demographic extent of our population and that an empowerment policy should be based on allowing competent South Africans equal access to resources.

The ACDP did not wish to support a Bill that might have unintended consequences, placing too much emphasis on group preferences long after economic empowerment has been achieved. While we support poverty alleviation and skills development, these are problems that must be driven nationally, requiring the collective responsibilities of all South Africans. ___________________________________________________________

Armaments Corporation of South Africa gets go ahead

Legislation paving the way for the continued existence of the Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor) was debated in Parliament on Wednesday, with the ACDP voting in support of the Bill.

Armscor's main functions formerly included developing and manufacturing armaments, acquiring armaments on behalf of the South African government and controlling the imports and exports of arms in South Africa. However, significant changes occurred in the 1990s, when the functions of developing and manufacturing arms were transferred to Denel (pty) Ltd and control over conventional armaments was transferred to the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC). The draft bill now proposes that Armscor continue to exist as a juristic person with the state as sole shareholder.

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3. Report-back on questions on peace and security in Parliament:

Minister of Justice responds to questions about Scorpions

Responding to a question by ACDP deputy-president Louis Green in Parliament today on whether a decision had been taken to remove the Scorpions from the control of the National Prosecuting Authority, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mr Penuell Maduna replied that this question had never arisen. Quoting from comments made by President Thabo Mbeki, Mr Maduna emphasised that while the president had commented on tension existing between the police and the Scorpions, no suggestion to separate the two bodies had been made. Maduna also said that to his knowledge, the Scorpions were not responsible for the leaks to the media about Deputy President Jacob Zuma's financial affairs. ___________________________________________________________

Minister of Safety and Security responds to questions about firearms licences Responding to a question by ACDP MP Steve Swart regarding the police's alleged reluctance to grant firearms licences, Minister of Safety and Security Mr Charles Nqakula said that there are no quotas for the granting of firearms licences. Questioned about whether police officers are properly equipped to assess whether an applicant qualifies for a licence, if they do not have psychological training, Mr Nqakula said that the questions police officers asked were routine enough not to require specialised training and that if applicants were caught lying on their application about their mental status, they could be prosecuted. ___________________________________________________________

Minister of Correctional Services responds to question about HIV positive prisoners The compulsory testing of HIV prisoners is a controversial issue, and one that the government has refused to consider, stating that it would be in violation of prisoner's Constitutional rights to be forced to take an HIV test. While many parties criticised the government on this issue, ACDP MP Steve Swart offered a solution in the form of diverting non-violent criminals through restorative justice programmes to alleviate overcrowding and avoid infection. His suggestion was welcomed by the Minister as a helpful way of finding solutions rather than focussing on the problem. ___________________________________________________________
Minister of Defence responds to question about costs of maintaining defence force Responding to a question by ACDP MP Adriaan Blaas on what risks the hidden costs of deploying troops in Africa and sustaining infrastructure had on the defence force, Minister of Defence Mr Mosiuoa Lekota replied that the defence budget had not been increased while the costs of sustaining the capabilities was constantly rising. Complaining that it cost about R2 billion to sustain the capabilities of the defence force, the budget deficit was growing larger each year as the budget was not increased. Saying that the defence force was a service that does not create wealth but rather consumes it, Mr Lekota said that it was nevertheless a service that the country could not do without. Replying to the costs of troop deployment in Africa, Mr Lekota said that it cost South Africa around R249 million over the 2002/2003 period.

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