“Chairperson, The ACDP wishes to thank honourable Groenewald for this topic for discussion. Violent crime in the country in the country has reached unacceptable levels. It is the primary role of the state to protect its citizens. In our view government is failing...

Multilateralism is an alliance of multiple countries pursuing a common goal. In the right hands, it can be an important tool for promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development. While it has advantages, it also has disadvantages that can threaten the sovereignty of nations.

There has been a concerted effort to discredit this process; the evidence leaders and parliamentary staff – most of whom are women – became collateral damage in an attempt to paint Advocate Mkhwebane as a victim of an abusive process and targeted conspiracy. The ACDP strongly rejects this.

The National Water and Sanitation Master Plan makes for sombre reading. As a water-scarce country, South Africa loses 35% of its water through leakage.

Although South Africa has steadily improved its ratio of beneficiated to primary products exported since the 1970s, these ratios are still well below the potential suggested by the quality and quantity of its mineral resources endowment.

By now the BMA should have implemented measures to improve traffic flow and border security, including increased surveillance, improved infrastructure, and the deployment of advanced technologies for detection and monitoring.

The ACDP is concerned that the appointment of the nominee, Mr Errol Magerman, will compromise the impartiality and independence of the Public Service commission. It also flies in the face of government’s commitment to professionalise the public service and build a capable state.

And one of the things we do not address enough is how to rehabilitate youth, and how to use restorative justice to rehabilitate young offenders and offer them a way out of gangs.

Our nation cannot be allowed to become one of illegalities. We have illegal electricity and water connections, illegal drug and gun smuggling, and illegal mining on the rise.

The years of secrecy and hidden corrupt activity, must be exposed. According to the Zondo commission, theft of more than 57-billion rand of public funds was involved by the alleged architects of state capture, the Gupta family, who personally raked in at least 15 and a half billion rand.

The consequences of this proposed legislation will be far-reaching and very costly, with the inevitable consequence that we may face an exodus out of the country by medical corporations and human capital.

It is disgraceful that female law professionals should be regarded as less competent or not suited for certain types of law on account of their gender. In addition, women of colour often face additional discrimination by virtue of their race, alongside that of gender. This is wrong.