ACDP supports report on composition of Chief Whips’ Forum

Madam Speaker, the ACDP welcomes the fact that clarity has now been given to the contentious issue of procedures for Speaking Sequence and the composition of the Chief Whips’ Forum. While we appreciate the fact that there was quite robust engagement on the 24th of...

TVET colleges produce 20,000 artisans annually—30,000 required

Deputy Speaker, the crisis in artisan skills is not simply a matter of numbers. It reflects a deeper malaise in the culture of government itself. Weak accountability, poor work ethic, and a tolerance for institutionalised complacency are now entrenched; exacerbated by...

Help solve overcrowding in prisons by finalising trials more speedily

House Chair, the ACDP is fully aware of severe overcrowding at many of the correctional services (as highlighted by other speakers) at 58% which year-by-year is getting worse. This negatively impacts on attempts at rehabilitation and places the safety and security of...

Let us look for ways to protect and uplift our women

Madam Deputy Speaker, the ACDP believes that we, as Christians and the Church, should be the biggest champions and the loudest cheerers and the most proactive supporters and protectors of women. The Bible and the Christian worldview provide the most compelling reasons...

The South African Constitution celebrates 30 years

Honourable Chairperson, This year, we mark 30 years since our Constitution was adopted. It has been hailed all over the world as one of the most liberal and forward-looking constitutions. We appreciate that fact that everyone is equal before the law, human rights must...

Remembering late COPE President and former MP, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota

Honourable Speaker, the ACDP offers its condolences to the family of the late Ntate Mosiuoa Lekota, born in Kroonstad in the Free State. Having served under Mr Lekota personally and having worked with him in the years of the United Democratic Front, in the struggle...

Johannesburg water crisis sees millions denied access

House Chairperson, With Joburg Water warning of major water outages next week affecting five regions, the ACDP greatly welcomes this debate and hopes it may result in effective action being taken on the grave crisis of water infrastructure in Johannesburg and other...

ACDP calls for immediate strengthening of whistleblower protection

House Chairperson, The urgent need for enhanced protection measures for whistleblowers and witnesses—not only in high‑profile cases—cannot be overstated. South Africa witnesses a deeply troubling pattern of intimidation, harassment, and assassinations against those...

Much has changed since February’s Budget Speech

Much has changed since February’s Budget Speech

House Chairperson, the ACDP said after the Budget Speech that the ship of public finances was starting to move in the right direction. That was in February. Much has changed since then, particularly with the dramatic increase in the fuel price since the outbreak of...

Land reform must be just, transparent, and economically sustainable

Land reform must be just, transparent, and economically sustainable

House Chairperson, In welcoming the opportunity to engage on this Budget Vote, the ACDP notes the R9.62 billion allocation to the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development for the 2026/27 financial year. While this figure appears substantial, the Portfolio...

CRL seeks to weaponise legislation to use against churches

CRL seeks to weaponise legislation to use against churches

House Chairperson, The ACDP is aware that based on a report submitted by the CRL Rights Commission, the National Security Strategy for 2024-2028 publicly identifies the “mushrooming of charismatic churches” as a domestic national-security concern. This places millions...

SANDF’s operational condition is now critical

SANDF’s operational condition is now critical

Chairperson, the ACDP rises in this budget vote fully cognisant of the severe financial constraints facing the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). This is nothing new. We have lamented this for many, many years, yet our voices and those of the Defence Force,...

Madlanga Commission commended for exposing serious corruption in SAPS

Madlanga Commission commended for exposing serious corruption in SAPS

House Chairperson, the Madlanga Commission exposed grave police corruption, and the ACDP commends the Specialised Task Team for concrete action in suspending 18 officers, with prosecutions already underway. It is a disgrace to note that community safety and policing...