ACDP Parliamentary newsletter - 9 September 2003
Here is the latest news from Parliament:
1. Religion policy contradicts people's beliefs
2. Defence force on verge of collapse
3. ACDP appeals to voters to register
4. Releasing prisoners not the solution to prison overcrowding
5. ACDP supports Petroleum Bills
6. Teacher shortage will get worse
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.
******************************************************
1. Religion policy contradicts people's beliefs
Media Statement by MP Cheryllyn Dudley
9 September 2003
While it may be necessary to deal with religious diversity in schools, the impact of the new Religion Education Policy could be damaging to an education system that faces so many challenges, says ACDP spokesperson education Cheryllyn Dudley.
"With the minister of education so focussed on being a global player and pace setter in education, he has overlooked the sensitivity of such a policy," Dudley said after the official launch of the policy at Parliament today.
"While there is a place for being informed about other religions and approaching them with tolerance, elements of this policy are problematic for many religions, especially Christians which represent over 70% of the population.
"Church leaders' acknowledgement that religious instruction has not been as effective as it could be, should not be read as affirming Minister Kader Asmal's actions to ensure that religion will now be a systematic reflection of the multi-faith nature of South Africa.
"Government has made it clear that they are not opposed to religion in schools, but are opposed to single-faith observances. For some, reciting the prayers, readings or songs of other religions is viewed as participating in a form of worship contrary to their own beliefs. Many believe that treating all religions as equal, or studying religion as merely a subject, amounts to the promotion of a secularist worldview," Dudley said.
"This policy is inappropriate in the many communities where religious diversity has not caused a problem and government could better achieve their objectives by focussing resources in areas where problems have been identified."
For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307 National Media Director: Rev. Selby Khumalo at 082 476 4990
******************************************************
2. Defence force on verge of collapse
Media Statement by ACDP MP Adriaan Blaas
9 September 2003
The South African National Defence Force is on the verge of collapse due to a lack of funding, and the government needs to urgently review its attitude towards defence expenditure, says ACDP spokesperson on defence Adriaan Blaas.
"The current defence budget of only 1.6% of GDP compares very poorly to an average of 1.8 - 2% for developing countries. This figure includes the strategic defence procurement package, with the budget standing at only 1.2% of GDP without the SDP," Blaas said.
"A recent assessment by command structures of the SANDF indicates that an additional R2 billion is needed to enable the SANDF to meet all its obligations. The SANDF has been extremely thrifty over the past few years and there is a danger that the country is losing its capabilities.
"We are now seeing the symptoms of insufficient funding manifesting in the total breakdown of communication in the SANDF, a lack of discipline with increased reports of assault on senior officers, disregard for orders and unprofessional conduct by senior personnel and the promotion of unqualified personnel.
"Every country, including our own, should take pride in their defence force that should be disciplined, motivated, confident and in a state of readiness for any eventuality," Blaas said.
"The defence force's growing obligations in peace and support operations around Africa have stretched the SANDF way beyond its budgetary capacity and it is no longer in a position to reduce expenses further.
"The executive must accept responsibility for the collapse of the SANDF, because without reasonable and sufficient funding, a reliable professional defence force cannot be sustained. They are not fulfilling their commitment to the constitution in that they neglect to provide for an effective defence capacity for South Africa."
For more information: Adriaan Blaas MP at 083 284 1629
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307 National Media Director: Rev. Selby Khumalo at 082 476 4990
******************************************************
3. ACDP appeals to voters to register
Media Statement by ACDP National Elections Manager Pauline Cupido
9 September 2003
In respect of the upcoming democratic elections in South Africa, the ACDP appeals to voters to ensure that they are in possession of the required identity document and are registered on the voter's roll in order to take part in the country's general election next year.
"Many people are unaware of how the voting process works and of their rights as potential voters. We would like to see as many people as possible take the opportunity to have their say in the governing of our country," said ACDP National Elections Manager Pauline Cupido
To register as a voter, those eligible must register in person, be a South African citizen and possess a valid bar-coded identity document or temporary identity certificate.
Potential voters who do not yet possess a bar-coded identity document can apply at the department of home affairs, which has waived the fee for the issuing of IDs as well as bearing the cost of photographs, up until the closure of voter registration.
"We encourage those who are not yet registered to vote to do so as soon as possible to avoid long queues later on," Cupido said.
"We also encourage voters who are registered, but chose to abstain because of religious purposes, to review their stance and participate in choosing a government that represents their interests.
"Voters should not underestimate the importance of these elections, or the role a single vote can play in them. The ACDP believes that elections establish the spiritual climate of the nation's government and what we choose to do regarding them will affect the affairs of not only this country, but also the world.
"It is necessary for Christians to vote and take an active part in government if we are to be actively involved in upholding God's standards," said Cupido. Potential voters can apply to register only for the voting districts in which they are ordinarily resident and can be registered at the office of the Municipal Electoral Officer at their local municipality.
For more information:
National Elections Manager: Pauline Cupido at 083 440 5286 National Media Director: Rev. Selby Khumalo at 082 476 4990
******************************************************
4. Releasing prisoners not the solution to prison overcrowding
Releasing prisoners will not significantly alleviate prison overcrowding and will cause added pressure on the limited number of probation officers, says ACDP spokesperson on correctional services Steve Swart.
According to Department of Correctional Services statistics, overcrowding in South African prisons currently stands at about 71%, reducing the department's rehabilitation efforts.
Responding to a question by Swart on the release of prisoners by advancing their parole dates by up to ten months, Minister of Correctional Services Mr Ben Skosana said that these parolees would be released in batches and placed into the system of Community Corrections.
These parolees would be visited up to four times a month depending on the risk they pose to the community.
Swart said that addressing rather than releasing convicted prisoners, the high number of awaiting trial prisoners should be reduced to solve the problem of prison overcrowding.
"Non-violent people should not be kept in prison merely because they cannot afford bail. Many people that should not be in jail, are creating a backlog in the criminal justice system.
According to the department, a total of 3009 awaiting trial prisoners have been released in 2003 in terms of Section 63A of the Criminal Procedure Act. The department claims that this has not had a significant impact on reducing overcrowding in prisons due to the short period it has been in operation.
According to Swart, alternatives such as restorative justice, rehabilitation programmes and juvenile offender diversion programmes can offer solutions. Restorative justice seeks to include crime victims in programmes that allow them to explain to the offender the effect that the crime has had and then work towards restitution for the harm caused.
"Offenders are held accountable for their actions and even though they may have limited financial resources, some form of repayment to the victim or community service is considered," Swart said.
******************************************************
Petroleum Products Amendment Bill
African Christian Democratic Party MP Adriaan Blaas
9 September 2003
Although the amendments do not make for an eloquent bill and it is questionable whether they will help to achieve the objectives anticipated, the ACDP will support them.
We will support it because it is an effort to start a deregulating process in a complex environment where vested and conflicting interests of stakeholders result in dead locks. The Department of Minerals and Energy had to take the intiative to get the process going.
Of concern, however, is the excessive regulatory power is given to the executive where the matters to be regulated should be exposed to the scrutiny of the full parliamentary process.
Capping of site and retail licenses can lead a premium on them, increasing cost and consequentially pressure on fuel prices, to the detriment of the consumer.
The fuel industry is complex. It should be either fully regulated or totally deregulated. Either way, some will gain or some will lose. These amendments, if handled responsibly, can set a process going to find an acceptable compromise and is thus supported.
For more information: Adriaan Blaas MP at 083 284 1629
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307
*************************************************
5. ACDP supports Petroleum Bills
Petroleum Pypleidings Wetsontwerp
Afrika Christen Demokratiese Party LP Adriaan Blaas
9 September 2003
Met die toerede can meer instansies tot die ontwikkeling van logistieke infrastruktuur vir die pomp van petroleum produkte is 'n raamwerk vir regulering noodsaaklik. Dit is die oogmerke van die wetsontwerp en gevolglik ondersteun die ACDP dit.
Daar is egter definisies en terminologie in die wet wat vaag is en tot misverstande kan lei. Die terme "objectively justifiable" en "identifiable" soos in klousule 21 gebriuk word as voorbeeld genoem. Die beskrywings is subjectief en kan nie redes vir nie diskriminasie beskryf nie.
Tariefbepalings word deur die reguleringsliggaam gedoen. Om te verhoed dat binnelandse verwerkingsaanlegte en bergingsfasiliteite nadelig geraak word sal omsigtig gekyk moet word na sekere tariefbepalings.
Die wet bepaal dat ruolie en petroleum produkte nie in die selfde pyplyn gepomp mag word nie alhoewel dit tegnies moontlik is. Dit kan tot onderbenutting van infrastruktuur lei.
Regulering van die pypleidings is noodsaaklik en word ondersteun maar sal met omsigtigheid implementer moet word.
Vir meer inligting: Adriaan Blaas MP at 083 284 1629
Mediaskakeling: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307
******************************************************
6. Teacher shortage will get worse
Media Statement by ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley
9 September 2003
The Education Laws Amendment Bill will further exacerbate serious shortages of specialised experienced teachers in public schools, says ACDP spokesperson on education Cheryllyn Dudley.
"Instead of encouraging South Africa to embark on a career in education and retain much-needed teaching skills, this Bill will have a detrimental effect on education," Dudley said.
The Bill, passed by the education portfolio committee in parliament today, disregarded an amendment by the ACDP proposing that school governing bodies be granted the right to decide whether a teacher deserves extra remuneration or benefits.
"The ACDP understands that there is a problem with the lack of transparency in the granting of benefits to teachers by school governing bodies, resulting in hidden costs. Our amendment would have increased transparency between the government and school governing bodies as well as between school governing bodies and parents without restricting the decision-making powers of parents and schools," Dudley said.
"While the ACDP is uncompromising in its support for accountability and transparency, we are concerned that the government is making decisions that should not be theirs to make.
"According to the Bill, the government is given sole discretion to decide whether a teacher may be awarded extra benefits or remuneration, effectively removing the powers of school governing bodies and creating no incentives for excellent teachers to remain in public schools.
"We will have a situation where only newly qualified teachers with little or no experience can afford to teach in public schools, to the detriment of the learners. Already the number of trainee teachers is dropping and this Bill will ensure that fewer people will be attracted to the field of teaching.
"Teachers will be discouraged from remaining in teaching as career and salary prospects look bleak, which will affect society as a whole.
"The department wrongly believes that because the state pays teachers, the teachers belong to it. Teachers are in fact paid with taxpayer's money and that the state is only an administrator of the funds. This money belongs to parents, and they should have the final say about how it is spent," Dudley said.
For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307 National Media Director: Rev. Selby Khumalo at 082 476 4990
******************************************************
For a full listing of all the public mailing lists on lists.acdp.org.za, visit http://lists.acdp.org.za/mailman/listinfo. Click on a list name to get more information about the list, or to subscribe, unsubscribe, and change the preferences on your subscription.