We will not comment on every point made as the Penultimate report has addressed most issues. The belated response of the Democratic Alliance is appreciated. However, it must be pointed out right at the outset that, in terms of the Constitution and the Rules of Parliament, THERE IS NO SUCH ANENTITY AS THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE. Even the Speaker of the National Assembly has pronounced herself on this no nomenclature.

For instance, die ANC has its own TRI-PARTITE ALLIANCE WITH COSATU and the SACP but DOES NOT REFER TO THE TRIPARTITE ALLIANCE IN PARLIAMENTARY DOCUMENTATION. There are no seats in Parliament for Democratic Alliance. That argument has been made OUTSIDE Parliament. As part of our parliamentary oversight functions, the moment to hear the views of the Democratic Party and those of the New National Party!!! We do lot want an unsigned document.

2. BRIEF CRITIQUE

2.1 The Portfolio Committee will have to become a political football for "apolitical xxxxx exercise. We are serious about our role of OVERSIGHT. No amount of sarcasm will deter us

2.2 The 10 stages have been started as a hazical sequence in the legislative process. There is no need to take potshots at them.

2.3 It is utterly naive to regard the proposals of the White Paper which are of a RADICAL nature with other ordinary policy matters.

2.4 The Member of Parliament who represents the Democratic Party on the Portfolio Committee, the Honourable Mike Waters, knows EXACTLY how we have tried to speed up the process of the White Paper. The Member of Parliament who represents the New National Party on the Portfolio Committee, the Honourable Sakie Pretorius also knows the problems of the White Paper and how we have tried our best to underwrite its completion.

2.5 The Portfolio Committee is enjoined by the Constitution and the Rules of the National Assembly to conduct Public Hearings. We dare not ESCHEW that duty.

3. CONCLUDING REMARKS

3.1 No need to drag the Head of State into a simple matter of the Separation of Powers. These are clearly delineated in the Constitution.

3.2 Any Chairperson of a Portfolio Committee who does not ensure executive accountability, transparency and democracy will be failing to defend the democratic gains for which many people have fought and died.

3.3 The Democratic Alliance report escapes responsibility by merely stating that " ...The issue of starting the whole process from scratch should not be entertained."

3.4 Yes the voting public is waiting but not for an ill conceived policy on Migration that will have ominous repercussions on itself, in the final analysis!. What we need is not HASTE but a SOUND POLICY ON INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION. Hence the proposed 20 principles as a LOADSTAR