ACDP demands an undertaking from government that it will not agree to any IHR amendments that would compromise South Africa’s ability to take domestic decisions on national public health measures, even in the event of public health emergency of international concern.

The question is when there is uncertainty as to whether Parliament will be required to approve amendments to an international agreement it can exercise its powers in terms of section 55(2), particularly when those amendments may threaten the national sovereignty of a member state.

All of us at Parliament have been subjected to these disruptions, where we’ve wanted to hear the President answer questions, or when we’ve wanted to participate in debates, but due to these disruptions, that right has been denied to all of us.

House Chair, The ACDP agrees with the report. Honourable Zwane was found guilty in the first disciplinary hearing on a breech of the Code of Conduct by the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests, and its report was accepted by this House. But, as we now...

We believe that officials should be appointed on merit. We also believe that they should be true servants of the people who understand the concept of stewardship of state resources, and that resources are not there to be stolen or to be misappropriated.

So important is the judicial independence, that the removal of a Judge can only be justified when the shortcomings of the Judge are so serious as to destroy confidence in the Judge’s ability to properly perform all the judicial functions.

We need to be very sober-minded as we consider the implications of today’s impeachment. We are not only impeaching for the first time a Judge, but a Judge President of the High Court.

The World Trade Organisation Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies sets new binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful subsidies which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world’s fish stocks, including South Africa’s.

This pension reform, which permits fund members to access a portion of their savings during a crisis, will strike a balance between long-term security and immediate needs, recognising life’s unpredictability.

The ACDP longs to see peace between Israel and Palestine but this won’t be possible until the right of Israel to exist within safe and secure borders has been acknowledged and agreed to.

“The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance up you and give you peace.”

While government has implemented numerous programmes to support small business growth and development, the mountain of regulations are limiting. We should not allow millions of SMMEs to be held back from reaching their full potential due to red tape.