Local Government Regressing in Northern Cape

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Andrew Louw MPL

DA Leader in the Northern Cape

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Premier, Honourable Members of the House, guests in the gallery, members of the media

It is no secret that COGHSTA regressed from a financially unqualified audit finding to a qualified audit opinion in the 2010/11 financial year.

Considering the above, it was perplexing to learn during the department’s budget presentation that, while an action plan exists to deal with the Auditor-General’s concerns, there is “little time to drive this plan”. While we acknowledge the HOD’s special commitment to “drive the plan better” in the future, the DA wishes to emphasize that this is not reassuring enough. The plan must be driven with absolute commitment – time must be devoted towards this key priority, this is non-negotiable if the department intends achieving the desired outcomes for Operation Clean Audit 2014.

In terms of the above, the DA also proposes the following as a starting point:

• According to the AG’s general report on provincial audit outcomes for 2010/2011, six out of the seven SCOPA resolutions have not yet been put into action by the department. These resolutions deal primarily with financial management, predetermined objectives reporting and compliance with laws and regulations, which are critical to achieving good governance. Action regarding these resolutions must be taken immediately.

• The department is failing to achieve key outputs in respect of ensuring accelerated delivery of housing opportunities and expanding access to basic services, as well as meeting the basic needs of communities and building a clean, responsive and accountable administration. Lack of commitment by senior managers to stay within budgetary frameworks and to achieve targeted outputs within available allocations must therefore have consequences. There is no place in the public service for senior managers who are putting up internal resistance towards outcomes based budgeting – disciplinary action must be taken against them.

• The DA is also concerned that, following the bankruptcy of many of our municipalities, COGHSTA may have become the new dumping ground for cadres, and the new cash cow for cronyism and political initiatives. We believe that this can especially be seen in the number of unfunded mandates currently facing this department, including:

- The appointment of a full complement of Community Development Workers – Installation by Lefatshe Technologies of the computer hardware and software licenses for the financial, HR and municipal governance at Khara Hais – And the appointment of five municipal practitioners at senior management level to drive the Local Government Turn-Around Strategy and Municipal Turn-Around Strategy.

Hon. Speaker, unfunded mandates are resulting in high over expenditure, which totaled more than R33 million in the 2010/2011 financial year. Political interference in this department must therefore be stopped if the provincial government wants to see any kind of turnaround on the service delivery front.

This brings me to an interlinking issue, namely ongoing political interference in our municipalities.

Despite a countrywide concession that those heading up the majority of our municipalities are sorely lacking in skills, qualifications and competencies, there are still politicians who want to influence the appointment of municipal managers and CFO’s. This issue was brought home to us during Provincial Treasury’s budget presentation, whereby we learned that, at present in the Northern Cape, there are 10 municipalities which have CFO’s who have matric as their highest qualification. On top of this, both the Provincial Treasury and the Premier’s Office highlighted a case in point, namely the Magareng municipality. It is disturbing that the CFO of this municipality conveniently resigns each time he has to prepare the Annual Performance Plan. In his absence, consultants are then hired to prepare the relevant documentation. Once the job is done, the CFO conveniently reassumes his post as CFO. This is outrageous to say the least!

In response to the above, the DA has taken note that national regulations regarding the appointment of Municipal Managers and Section 56 managers takes effect in July. These regulations seek to give effect to the Local Government Municipal Systems Amendment Act passed by Parliament last year and set out the requirements in terms of education, experience and skills for the appointment of municipal managers and senior officials. However, such legislation and regulations will be meaningless if positions are filled by serial offenders prior to the enactment of the regulations. This problem will also be exacerbated if these offenders are placed in permanent positions from which they cannot be removed without great difficulty.

The DA thus calls on the Hon. Mmoeimang to take steps to prevent the current scramble to appoint dubious municipal staff before these regulations take effect. In doing so, we propose that a circular be sent to all municipal councils across the province informing them of the regulations and urging caution when proceeding with appointments. We also propose that the Hon. Mmoeimang should exercise vigorous oversight of appointment processes for MM’s and senior staff in the run-up to the implementation of the regulations; and that you undertake a review of the employment of all municipal managers or senior staff who have previously been found guilty of financial misconduct, dishonesty, fraud, discrimination and sexual harassment.

At the same time, it is necessary that remuneration of Municipal Manager’s and Section 56 managers is compliant with national regulations. A case in point is Sol Plaatje municipality. Over R2 million has been budgeted for the MM’s salary package. Sol Plaatje municipality, however, is a category 4 municipality, for which regulations prescribe a maximum salary of R1 million for the MM.

Hon. Members, I will say it again, take the politics out of governance and replace it with professionalism – this is the only answer to the mounting tsunami of problems facing local government. Only then will municipalities be able to function as going concerns. Only then can we really address the myriad of problems staring service delivery in the face.

Whilst the situation seems hopeless, we would like to believe that, with the right people in place, it is possible for bankrupt municipalities to once again function as going concerns. Provincial Treasury shared with us the success story of the defunct Renosterberg municipality. Since accepting assistance in the form of skills from Provincial Treasury, this municipality is, for the first time in years, paying staff out of their own revenue.

The same must be done in our other down and out municipalities. This, however, will require much political will. This is because eleven of the fifteen municipalities identified by Provincial Treasury as in need of an intervention, have refused assistance from Provincial Treasury. Instead, these municipalities, including the hopeless Phokwane municipality, are asking for financial assistance. Throwing more money at these municipalities will be like throwing paper cheques into a raging fire. Hon. Mmoeimang, your urgent involvement is required in order to persuade, or force if necessary, these municipalities to accept an intervention of skills and capacity. Only when we have staff who understand the basic concept of cash flow, can we begin to look at improving service delivery.

Hon. Speaker, we are all met with the pitiful state of our roads on a daily basis. Our tyres and wheel alignments are shot and our morale is low. The Hon. Rooi, recently shared with us that the pothole fixing machine procured by the Department of Roads and Public Works cost R1.2 million and that it is the department’s intention to eventually buy one machine for every district to ensure effective servicing of the provincial roads. We welcome this but at the same time, we want to know from Coghsta where is their collaboration with the Department of Roads and Public Works, or the sharing of best practices? Surely each district municipality, if not each local municipality, should also procure such a pothole fixing machine in order to restore what little is left of the road network in our city and our towns. Hon Mmoeimang, would collaborating such an effort amongst municipalities not be a worthwhile task for you?

In closing, I wish to emphasize the crux of this last point. Provincial government, through its various departments, needs to aid municipalities. Some of our municipalities are like drug addicts. They are addicted to money and power, caught up in a debilitating cycle of maladministration, and they fail to recognize that they need help. In other words, they are incapacitated to make financial, legal and other decisions. Hon. MEC, as the guardian of local government, you must intervene – our municipalities must urgently be entered into a rehabilitation programme. It’s almost too late to save them – act now or prepare for a face-off, of a magnitude never seen before, between local government and extremely disgruntled citizens!

Shortfalls Severely Hamper Health Care

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James Masango MPL

Provincial Chief Whip of the Official Opposition.

The following is and address by James Masango to the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature during the Debate on the 2012/13 Policy and Budget of the Department of Health.

The health department is a critical institution to the health and well-being of our people. But this department is facing huge and critical challenges.

Access to health in Mpumalanga still remains a serious challenge facing this department. Patients have to queue for long hours, and sometimes days, before they see doctors and have access to medication, and this trend continues at clinics and hospitals. Rural areas are most affected given the lack of ambulances, as well as the condition they are in when you are lucky enough to have one fetch you.

The decision by the executive to phase out mobile clinics was not well thought through and uninformed. Mpumalanga’s rural areas are vast and widely scattered. Considering the poverty of rural people, conditions of our roads and lack of public transport, phasing out of mobile clinic is far from a reality. And this decision must be reviewed as a matter of urgency to ensure access to health for rural communities.

We should applaud the Mkhondo Municipality farmers who started a project called “Tholulwazi Tholimpilo” led by Johnny Engelbrecht, who secured three ambulances as donations – two from the German government and one from Mondi. Currently in partnership with the department of health, two of these ambulances are already servicing the rural communities of Mkhondo. The third is expected to operate this year.

Patients with chronic illness still have to queue for their medication. In the Western Cape, chronic medication is delivered at your doorstep – the same with old age people.

Honourable Speaker, I understand the financial constraints the department faces, but the 60% vacancy rate target, is not good enough. We welcome the filling of critical vacant posts, but again the challenges faced by this department is its failure to retain its staff.

As long as the vacancy rate is so high, there will be frustration, low morale, negative attitude, absenteeism and ultimately high staff turnover. We sympathise with doctors, nurses and all health care workers in the state clinics and hospitals who, despite these tough working conditions, still go to work every day to assist the indigent people of Mpumalanga. We realise that there is only 24 hours in a day in which they can only do so much with the little resources they might have.

Honourable Speaker I am still concerned about situations such as on Tuesday night, when patients in Ward 6 of Bethal’s hospital, all of them women, had to go to bed without food. Not because there was no food, but because of absenteeism and a negative attitude of staff.

Honourable MEC as I spoke to you last time and the article from the newspaper I sent to you regarding the attitude of the CEO at Bethal Hospital, this is what we are achieving today. The CEO has no understanding or care of the importance of a good relationship between the nursing staff and the patients – let alone promoting that relationship. In other words, Batho Pele Principle does not exist at this hospital.

The DA’s concern is the failure by the Department of Health to spend on infrastructure and revitalisation for two consecutive financial years. Clinics and hospitals are needed to ease the burden of our overcrowded health centres. I hope the department has this time come up with a plan to ensure that this money is spend on the intended purposes – rather than simply getting rid of it.

Honourable Speaker, I won’t say much about the NHI pilot project, because the Department of Health is still far from complying with the NHI requirements. The department is also not doing well with HIV and AIDS as the prevalence rate has increased, the same with the child mortality rate.

More work still lies ahead with this department.

Munisipale Debiteure Bly Bron van Kommer

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Johan Visser MPP

DA Wes-Kaap Woordvoerder vir Plaaslike Regering, Wes-Kaapse Parlement

Op Woensdag, 16 Mei 2012, het die Wes-Kaapse Departemente van Plaaslike Regering en Tesourie die Staande Komitee op Plaaslike Regering Oorsig ingelig oor die derde kwartaallikse verslag van munisipaliteite. Die verslag behels die gekonsolideerde finansiële oorsig en die prestasieverslae van al die Wes-Kaapse munisipaliteite. Die Demokratiese Alliansie is tevrede met die spanderingspatroon van die verskillende munisipaliteite: Operasionele spandering is tans 66% en is bevredigend. Daar is egter vrae oor die spandering van kapitale begroting wat in die derde kwartaal slegs op 45% staan.

Die DA is tevrede dat munisipaliteite hul finansiële verpligtinge nakom ten opsigte van krediteure, maar die invordering van debiteure is ʼn ernstige bron van kommer. Dit is veral huishoudings wie se skuld reeds meer as R5 miljard beloop oor ʼn 90 dae tydperk.

Munisipaliteite se kontantvloei is in orde en die DA is tevrede dat die munisipaliteite in staat sal wees om hul skulde te delg. Daar is wel enkele munisipaliteite wat steeds nie die verpligte jaarverslae, halfjaarlikse verslae en begrotings ingedien het nie, soos wat vereis word deur die Wet op Munisipale Finansiële Bestuur (MFMA).

Die DA is ook tevrede dat die Departemente van Plaaslike Regering en die Tesourie innoverend optree om alle munisipaliteite van die nodige hulp te voorsien. Die meerderheid munisipaliteite sukkel egter steeds om Vlak 3-akkreditasie te bereik ten opsigte van koöperatiewe bestuur, boekhouding en voorsieningskettingbestuur en verantwoordelikhede.

ʼn Probleem-area is munisipaliteite wat steeds te veel staatmaak op konsultante wat nie hul kundigheid oordra aan munisipale amptenare nie. ʼn Ander probleem is risikobestuur: Standaard operasionele prosedures moet uitgevoer word volgens die vereistes van die King III-verslag. Rampbestuur wat daarop gemik is om risiko’s van rampe te verlaag, is op ʼn bevredigende vlak en die verskillende rampsbestuursentra is operasioneel in die Wes-Kaap.

Dit is veral sekere kleiner munisipaliteite wat gesukkel het ook met kapasiteitstekorte. In die huidige finansiële jaar is daar reeds tien munisipale bestuurders asook twaalf ander senior-bestuurders vervang. Dit is ʼn uiters destabiliserende faktor ten opsigte van ʼn munisipaliteit se administrasie.

Oor die algemeen voldoen munisipaliteite aan die Geïntegreerde Ontwikkelingsplan-Stelsel. Tydens ʼn onlangse Goeie Organisasie Praktyke-indaba is 484 ooreenkomste met die Provinsiale Departemente gesluit.

Wykskomitees funksioneer egter net in 22 van die 30 munisipaliteite, maar vordering word gemaak om alle munisipaliteite sover te kry om wykskomiteestelsels te implementeer.

Dit is verblydend om te sien dat munisipaliteite tot op datum reeds 60% spandeer het van hul grootmaat-infrastruktuurtoekennings van die finansiële jaar.

Waterbestuur van munisipaliteite is op ʼn baie bevredigende vlak, aangesien al 30 munisipaliteite meer as 60% behaal het ten opsigte van die bepalings van die bloudruppel-watergraderingstelsel.

Plaaslike regeringsbestuur lewer elke kwartaal ʼn volledige verslag aan die twee departemente en almal bly dus op hoogte van die finansiële- en prestasiebestuur van munisipaliteite. Indien nodig, kan ingrepe dus betyds gefasiliteer word in areas waar bekommernis is en regstellings gemaak word.

Public Works Must Work for Good of the Province

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Anthony Benadie MPL

Provincial Leader – Mpumalanga

The following is an address by Anthony Benadie to the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, during the debate on the 2012/13 Policy and Budget of the Department of Public Works Roads and Transport. Budget Vote 8.

Job creation (or lack thereof) is the single biggest challenge facing South Africa today, and is the only route to lead millions of South Africans out of poverty. Without job creation, the pains of poverty will continue to plague our province and nation.

This said, the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT) stands at the core of job creation in our province. On the one hand, through the construction of proper roads, allowing for an increase in mobility and accessibility to markets in our province, and on the other hand, through infrastructure investment – which is a proven way of stimulating economic growth and job creation.

Honourable Speaker, the former MEC for PWRT, Dr Clifford Mkasi once said that it would take 1 000 years for the ANC-led government to repair the collapsed road network in Mpumalanga. Then he was redeployed, and we hoped that Honourable Mahlangu would bring a new vision for road construction in Mpumalanga. Sadly she did not, and as we speak, roads off the N4 continue to collapse with absolutely no plan in place to ensure that the road repair backlog is addressed.

Not only do poor road conditions hamper economic growth and job creation, but it poses a clear and present danger to motorists in our province. Every accident has a direct and exceptional cost implication for government, diverting finances from core service delivery issues to aspects such as emergency health care.

Honourable MEC, you must, in cooperation with the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison put in place a clear and definite strategy to reduce road deaths in Mpumalanga. It is worth noting, since being elected in 2009, the DA-run Western Cape Department of Roads and Transport, have saved 1000 lives, by reducing road deaths by up to 30%, yet Mpumalanga has no such plan.

Honourable MEC, you cannot continue to hide behind the ‘jurisdiction’ argument when it comes to National and concession roads. The N12/N4 highway is a death trap running through our province. You have a moral and political obligation to interact with SANRAL and the national Department of Transport about the proven technical defects to these road that repeatedly lead to fatal accidents, particularly between Wonderfontein and Witbank, and the same goes for the Middelburg – Loskop dam road, especially the Kranspoort Pass.

The Department of Public Works once had a slogan that read; ‘South Africa works because of Public Works”. Well in fact, in Mpumalanga, the exact opposite is true, Mpumalanga doesn’t work, because of Public (doesn’t) Works.

And one needs look no further than Pilgrim’s Rest – A National Heritage site, neglected and abandoned by government – is being destroyed by the indecisiveness of the ANC. The entire future and sustainability of this tourist jewel is being threatened by uncertainty of property leases facing local businesses.

Honourable MEC, let me warn, unless government makes up its mind about the future of this town, Pilgrim’s Rest will soon be lost forever. Buildings are falling apart, and service delivery is shocking. The constant blame shifting of delivery responsibility between the department and Thaba Chweu municipality cannot continue.

Honourable MEC, in the interest of our heritage and the future of Pilgrim Rest I urge you today, to be hands-on in this matter, to ensure that the May 31 deadline, promised to the committee is met. Jobs are at risk and poverty the only prospect for hundreds of employees, if this town collapses – please ensure the renewal of contracts and the issuing of tenders.

Honourable Speaker, so too, the collapsed state of government property is alarming. The lack of maintenance of buildings and facilities smacks of poor planning and bad administration, and it does not assist us at all for the Department to continue blaming client departments and vice-versa for the constant delay in maintenance. This department is currently the single biggest risk to Mpumalanga’s assets.

Similarly, rather than being a job creation stimulant, this department is increasingly costing our province jobs through the non-payment of service providers. But, the problem is compounded. How can the department develop infrastructure, if it doesn’t even know what land belongs to it. In the Thembisile-Hani municipality, government and traditional leadership are locked in conflict because the department is unable to confirm if the land is communal land or government land.

Honourable Speaker, I share the sentiments expressed by the committee about the maintenance of the legislature building. Honourable MEC, how much longer must we tolerate the sewage spills outside the DA offices? If you cannot even maintain your own premises, how do you expect us trust that you can be the caretaker of other departments’ property.

In conclusion, it is a fact that the immediate working environment of any worker has a direct impact on the morale of staff. The perpetuating dilapidated state of Mpumalanga’s hospitals and schools, have a direct impact on the quality of health services and education in our province – severely undermining our future potential.

Honourable MEC, I urge you to apply as much political pressure as you can on the HOD of your department, to ensure that he delivers on the mandate of DPWRT. I am not always convinced that he is as committed to infrastructure development and stimulating economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation as he should be.

Health Budget Must Address Many Challenges

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Andrew Louw MPL

DA Leader in Northern Cape

Agbare speaker, agbare premier, agbare lede van die uitvoerende raad, lede van die huis en dames en here in die gehoor

Ek wil graag die debat open met ‘n paragraaaf uit een van N.P. van Wyk Louw se boeke: Dit sê “so noodsaaklik soos die bloedsomloop vir die liggaam is, so noodsaaklik is die sirkulasie van gedagte: dis die vrye uitspreek van eie mening en die aandagtige luister na die mening van ander, sodat ‘n wisselwerking ontstaan en mettertyd ‘n wederkerige begrip en ‘n mate van gemeenskaplike oortuiging. En hiersonder is geen gesonde politieke lewe moontlik nie.”

Honourable Speaker, before I start to unpack the details of my speech, allow me to touch on questions that remain unanswered.

The Hospital Information System is one of the departments biggest cost drivers. Therefore it is only prudent to question the efficacy and value of money hereof. Considering this, how will the department explain the current system, as this is the department with the highest level of irregular expenditure, which according to the AG’s report of 2010/2011 hit the R1 billion mark? It is the DA’s submission that the clarity on the costs for this system since its inception, including the monthly costs, would assist to a large extent to allay fears of possible corruption.

When he closed his budget debate last year, the MEC indicated his disappointment in being here and highlighted how the opposition had contributed nothing to the debate. This is poor leadership based on the above.

Poor leadership is also a concept not new to this department. In his 2010/11 annual report the AG once again states that “an environment that is conducive to good governance and service delivery through positive attitude, integrity, competence and ethical behaviour has not been established within the department.” Management philosophy, operating style and especially, lack of communication did not promote effective control. The department has failed to properly analyse the control weaknesses and implement appropriate follow-up actions that adequately address the root causes. This has resulted in the audit findings from the prior year report being repeated in the current year. Disclaimers, disclaimers, disclaimers …

It was also in his closing remarks during the previous budget speech that the MEC made a total blunder with regards to the allocation of the medical waste removal contract. He argued that it was a racial matter and that we should stop asking questions about it. However, the special investigation by the AG revealed otherwise and the DA believes that our suspicion of financial misconduct was verified.

Financial misconduct is also not something new to the department. It is interesting however to see how the department deals with it. Disciplinary hearings are not speedily dealt with – if at all – and no submissions of reports or schedules of the outcome of disciplinary proceedings that were completed were submitted to relevant authorities as required by law. This is what is called a lack of accountability.

When the DA refused to accept the budget of the department last year we mentioned all these points: poor leadership, poor financial management which hinders service delivery, the endemic disclaimers. We raised our special concern with regards to disregard shown for supply chain management which can mean that money is spent on bloated contracts and which seriously undermines fair and competitive business practices and employment creation. We pointed out as the AG did before that the information the department provides with regards to their service delivery and actual output on the ground is for the most part not valid, accurate or complete.

Die vraag ontstaan dus, hoekom moet ons die departement en die begroting nou glo…dat die geld sal gaan waarheen dit moet en dat die dienste en teikens dienooreenkomstig op tyd gelewer en bereik sal word? Wat is dan nou so anders? Die DA aanvaar nie die begroting nie vir presies dieselfde redes as die afgelope twee jaar. Ons het selfs verlede jaar so ver gegaan as om ‘n voorstel te maak oor hoe om die situasie te red, waarna die LUR duidelik nie geluister het nie. Ek het nie nou tyd om die LUR weer met ‘n lepeltjie te voer nie, maar hy kan gerus gaan kyk na ons voorstel.

I think what is further important to discuss however is the NHI. Every South African deserves quality healthcare. But, let me say it clearly in this House today – the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme is going to make life worse for those who are currently denied access to quality healthcare. Why?

Firstly, because it is the poor who will bear the brunt of the cost of the NHI. Initial policy documents indicated that the NHI will cost a minimum of R145 billion – many experts believe this budget is likely to be exceeded. The only way to pay for this will be to take money away from other programmes designed to alleviate and combat poverty.

Secondly, the NHI will create an inefficient and centralised health superstructure. If we are going to improve healthcare for all, we need less bureaucracy, not more.

Thirdly, NHI does not fix the real problem in our system, which is low quality health care provision. Instead, the Green Paper on NHI focuses on accessibility and finance.

The truth is that we already have universal accessibility and enough funding to run a first rate public health care system. Kyk wat het die DA gedoen in die Wes-Kaap en hoe ons dit reg gekry het. Sterk leierskap, streng finansiële beheer en ‘n sisteem wat verantwoordbaarheid beklemtoon en korrupsie nie toelaat nie. Die begroting is streng gevolg, verhoudinge is gebou met die privaat sektor en ‘n fokus op voorkoming en opleiding is verskerp.

If we can just focus on getting the basics right, which in our case is going to mean very strong leadership and structural change in this department, we can revolutionise healthcare in our province. And this will not cost all the extra money that the department keeps on insisting is the reason for poor performance.

Ten einde wil ons die amptenare van die departement bedank vir hulle moeite om die departement goed te laat lyk. Daar is as sulks niks verkeerd met die allokasies wat gemaak is nie. Die vraag is of dit werklik gaan realiseer en omstandighede op grondvlak werklik gaan verander. Gebasseer op die geskiedenis van die department, dink die DA nie so nie.

Ons wil baie dankie sệ spesifiek aan alle mediese personeel vir hul toewyding om mense te help en gemeenskappe te dien ten spyte van geweldige moeilike omstandighede. Ons hoop ook dat die agbare Sokatsha werlik hierdie laaste woorde van N.P. van wyk Louw ter harte sal neem: “As ‘n staatsman werklik en eerlik na die besware van die teenstander luister, sal sy oplossing in elk geval minder tydelik wees.”

DA Takes Up Challenge, Proposes Another

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Andrew Louw, MPL

DA Northern Cape: Provincial Leader

The Democratic Alliance has taken up the HIV testing challenge as presented to the opposition by MEC for Health, Mxolisa Sokatsha during today’s house sitting. At the same time, we wish to present Sokatsha and the ANC members with another challenge, namely to avail themselves to undergo lifestyle audits by SARS.

During today’s budget vote debate on Health at the provincial legislature, Sokatsha boasted that during last year’s AIDS Day Awareness Campaign, all ANC executive members and members of the provincial legislature underwent HIV testing together with their partners. He made reference to the left-hand side of the House, where the opposition sits, making reference to the fact that we didn’t test for HIV.

The DA would like to commend Sokatsha and his colleagues for setting an example regarding HIV testing. DA MPL’s, together with our partners, will take him up on this challenge come 1 December 2012. At the same time, however, we have another challenge for him. On numerous occasions, the DA has asked for lifestyle audits to be conducted on politicians, at the same time availing ourselves for such a cause. Our calls have, however been rubbished up until now.

We challenge Sokatsha, who heads up the provincial health department, to take the lead in availing himself for a lifestyle audit. He heads up a very sick department, in the form of the health department, which in the 2010/2011 financial year managed to wrack-up irregular expenditure to the value of over R1 billion.

There can be no doubt that a healthy provincial government and a healthy society requires the urgent combating if diseases like HIV and AIDS. But it also requires combating the sickness of financial misconduct, which has the potential to prove just as devastating to our communities, through the failure of service delivery, as any physical illness.

COSATU RHETORIC WILL NOT LAST LONG

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Khume Ramulifho MPL

Member DA Gauteng Caucus

The DA’s youth wage subsidy march in the CBD of Johannesburg on 15 May was a well-planned peaceful march aimed at highlighting a pro-active plan by the DA to curb unemployment. However the DA’s activists and members were met with hostility and armed COSATU members. The DA members abided by party leadership’s instructions of discipline and order and this should be celebrated and encouraged in a constitutional democracy. However it is in contrast with the ANC or alliance partners organised march.

The peaceful DA march was disrupted by already armed COSATU members, who did not have the necessary permission to march from the City of Johannesburg. The City by-laws require all gatherings to be approved and permission to gather is granted based on a risk analysis made by JMPD. COSATU completely disregarded the rule of law and undermined law enforcement’s authority. This was informed by the view that issues relating to poverty, unemployment or e-tolling should be owned by COSATU. At first they thought the march would have a bad turnout which of course was not the case, as the DA is experiencing the most growth of any political party in South Africa.

The DA realised that our great job done at various legislatures is not always communicated well to the general public and marches and huge public gatherings are means to communicate our messages. Scare tactics, violence, intimidation and insults will not stop the DA from pursuing its objectives. COSATU members started attacking DA members with bottles and harmful objects they had in their possession. What does this say about political tolerance?

The DA will continue to mobilise support on the ground as we are doing currently. If there is a lesson to be learnt in the DA’s march it is that the DA is ready to lead and people want to see changes. The ANC and its alliance partners cannot ignore this strong message. It is unfortunate that some political analysts do not see the DA’s march for what it truly is – a political party ready to lead the people of South Africa. Last month in Soweto, the DA doubled its support in a by-election and is making inroads in all communities. The ruling party and its alliance partners continue to spew rhetoric to the masses and their promises are becoming emptier as the days go by.

The DA is focusing on building one nation with one future. While other parties seem to want to perpetuate division, we are championing reconciliation. We must all embrace each other while working towards building one nation. The DA is committed to protecting the gains of our democracy.

GOVT APPEAL OF E-TOLL ORDER IS FOOLISH AND DOOMED TO FAIL

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Statement by Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Caucus Leader

The Cabinet’s decision to appeal the Pretoria High Court’s interim order halting the e-tolls is foolish and doomed to fail.

Judge Bill Prinsloo gave very sound reasons for this interim order, so it is unlikely to be overturned.

Government’s appeal will just drag out the court proceedings, creating further uncertainty in the credit markets.

I am puzzled by government’s hard line on this as SANRAL itself indicated earlier this week that it would not appeal the interim interdict and the court proceedings on the merits on the case could therefore proceed.

It would be far better if government cancelled the e-toll collection contract rather than continue with a long drawn out court battle.

DA DEMANDS ANSWERS ON POLICE FAILURE

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Kate Lorimer MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson Safety & Security

I have written to the Police requesting a meeting with the Acting Commissioner to discuss what went wrong with the policing in the DA march to Cosatu and how we can avoid the same situation re-occurring in future.

Yesterday I sent a letter to Provincial Commissioner Mzwandile Petros regarding the complete lack of preparedness and support given to the DA March to COSATU on Tuesday. The letter was then forwarded to acting Provincial Commissioner Gela. (see letter below)

I have not, as yet, had any response to my urgent communication in which I explained what had happened and requested some answers and an urgent investigation into the matter.

The lack of Public Order Policing organisation, protection and resourcing at the March is unacceptable and the following questions must be answered:

1. Why were there not more Public Order Police on the scene?

2. Why were the COSATU supporters not dispersed as soon as they started gathering outside COSATU House on Tuesday morning? They had no permission to gather and march and were illegal.

3. Why were the police not present at the first intersection where the DA marchers were attacked by COSATU supporters?

4. Why was only one Nyala deployed?

5. Why were COSATU allowed to come down Stiemens, Jorrisen and De Korte Streets to attack the DA marchers who were retreating?

6. Why were teargas and rubber bullets fired at DA marchers who were clearly not the aggressors?

7. Why did more cops arrive only after my phone call discussions with Generals Petros and Gela?

8. In view of public threats made by COSATU and NUMSA, was any threat assessment conducted prior to the March?

9. What communication took place between SAPS and JMPD regarding the march?

I have also requested that the “Taser Thug,” who the DA has tentatively identified, be investigated and charged. According to reports he used to be a community patroller in Yeoville and if he is still affiliated to the police he must be dismissed.

It is imperative that the SAPS explain why they did not uphold the legal right of the DA to march. Did political pressure influence their behaviour?

LETTER TO THE PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER

Dear Lt. Gen Petros

I would urgently like your personal response to this issue please.

I appreciate your assistance yesterday when I called. However, it should not have been necessary. The lack of public order policing preparedness and protection was unacceptable.

The DA March to COSATU House was well publicised for a couple of weeks beforehand and both NUMSA and COSATU made threats, in media statements, that

they could not be responsible for the safety of the DA.

The DA March was legal and had obtained the necessary permit from JMPD. The COSATU gathering was illegal and should have been dispersed as soon as they started gathering. Early in the morning one of our organisers went to check COSATU house and when he saw around 100 people there, he asked a police member there why they were not being dispersed, he was told by your member not to tell him how to do his job and threatened with arrest.

THe DA Marchers were confronted by COSATU marchers who immediately started throwing rocks – no SAPS in sight – at all times the Leaders of the DA March were shouting at the DA marchers not to retaliate and to retreat. THe DA marchers then proceeded up to the next intersection but COSATU marchers ran parallel and blocked them again. More rocks were thrown by COSATU – still no sign of SAPS – DA Marchers then started chanting “We are peaceful” and singing the National anthem. ( See video on this link

http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Waar-was-polisie-metropolisie-DA-20120515) Not a POP member in sight.

Finally, at this point, one Nyala made an appearance from the DA side of the march and tried to block COSATU. It was also at this point that a number of DA marchers were hit in the head with rocks and a Mail & Guardian journalist too.

Again the DA tried to move away but there was no support from SAPS as the one and only Nyala was now behind the marchers. When COSATU reached the traffic lights on Ameshof Street in front of Liberty Life, the riot police and JMPD didn’t even try to stop them from turning left into De Beer Street and directly into the stream of DA marchers still coming across Stiemens Street from Jorissen, even though the problem was pointed out to them. A number of DA marchers were caught by COSATU marchers and hit and slapped – Women and older people. No Police assistance

THe DA March continued retreating along Ameshoff and into Jan SMuts so they could recross Queen Elizabeth Bridge. COSATU again came from the side streets, De Korte and Jorrisen, and threw rocks. AT this stage 2 little SAPS Golfs from Hillbrow pitched up. This is more or less the time I called you as there was no proper police support. The COSATU marchers were almost right in the DA’s midst. Tear gas was then used by the few Metro Police Officers on scene. This though was fired at the DA Marchers at close range with cannisters hitting DA Marchers. It seems too as if rubber bullets were fired too, but I am not sure by whom.

As the bulk of DA marchers were crossing Queen Elizabeth Bridge, COSATU marchers ran to block them once again using Viljoen Street. Again no police assistance. I was, by this time at the very back of the DA Marchers and this is when the water cannon finally arrived and sprayed the COSATU marchers. This was the time at which the police helicopter was in the air. Presumably the one with General Gela aboard.

There had quite clearly been no communication between the SAPS and the JMPD regarding this March. The two were badly organised and seriously undermanned and under resourced.

It is the job of the SAPS to uphold the law and the DA in this case, had a legal right to march.

Over and over again I heard our DA marchers saying they would never trust the police again as the SAPS were clearly biased towards COSATU. It is understandable that they came to this conclusion. I only hope that you can assure me your organisation is not partisan.

I would appreciate it if you could investigate why there was so little preparation and support from the SAPS and let me know the outcome.

Yours sincerely

Kate Lorimer MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson Safety & Security

Legislature Must be Firm and Impartial

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Anthony Benadie MPL

Provincial Leader – Mpumalanga

The following address was delivered by Anthony Benadie MPL to the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature during the debate on the 2012/13 Policy and Budget Debate of the Provincial Legislature. Budget Vote 2.

This year, our nation celebrates the 16th year of existence of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Our constitution has become the cornerstone of democracy in Africa and is internationally acclaimed as one of the most progressive in the world. It is a constitution that has at its heart the Bill of Rights which gives life to every other constitutional provision.

That said, it remains imperative of us to periodically asses the progress and contribution that this Legislature has made in giving life to the spirit and dreams encapsulated in our constitution. While the legislature has sought, over the years, to provide a voice to citizens of this province, we must continually seek ways and means to further democratic interaction by educating our citizens about democracy and democratic processes.

In doing so, this legislature must be at the forefront of opening democratic space by promoting vibrant and constructive debate and interaction on policy, service delivery and oversight. It is non-negotiable that this legislature must strive to become the showcase of democracy, of free speech, tolerance, transparency and accountability, rather than the breeding ground of racial hatred, self-praise and personal gratification.

It is sad indeed, that despite the constitutional mandate of this institution and its significance in safeguarding our democratic order, that the public platform provided to us by this legislature are so often abused and trivialised through the conscious entrenchment of racial divisions and personal insult.

In this light, the DA is increasingly concerned at the kid-glove approach which many portfolio committees and the house as a whole display towards the executive. All too often, the disregard the executive displays to the oversight function of this house is amplified by our unwillingness and inability to enforce government’s obligation to implement house resolutions.

All too often, the ANC’s party political loyalties hamper the ability of the legislature as a constitutional institution to hold the executive to account. ANC MPLs repeatedly find themselves praising mediocre performance, and despite glaring inefficiencies within departments, repeatedly endorse the continuation thereof, and more often than not eagerly rise to government’s defence for delivery shortcomings.

Honourable Speaker, this house must enforce its authority, the Premier and MECs are not doing us a favour by accounting to the legislature, they are obligated to do so. Year after year we take resolutions which are never implemented, week after week we ask questions which are never answered. We conduct oversight visits and spend hours upon hours in long drawn out portfolio committee meetings, which rarely make any contribution to increasing the quality of life of our citizens.

The efficiency of the legislature, our leadership and our conduct must contribute to legitimising our existence in the fulfilment of the constitutional imperatives mandated to us, and as such, we must be wary of becoming the referenced example of a failed province in the debate of doing away with provinces.

The legislature must, as a matter of urgency, appoint a legislature secretary, to reduce the increasing administrative role which the Speaker is involving himself in. So too we must fill all the funded vacant posts currently hampering our efficiency.

We need to focus our attention on capacitating existing staff – and in the process of filling vacancies, attract genuine skills to our institution that can contribute to the quality of our work and add depth to our administration.

Honourable Speaker, dealing with the administration is becoming increasingly difficult as the absence of a single staff member due to leave or such like, halta an administrative system and brings an entire department to a standstill.

Some issues I’ve mentioned in the past continue to exist. I reiterate my position that we require a travel office in the legislature that can save us thousands of rands, and members must be made to pay for meals. The continued free eating is costing the legislature dearly. It is a disgrace that well-paid officials and politicians feast on a buffet of food, while thousands within our province go to bed hungry every day.

Honourable Speaker, let me say, that if ever we are to successfully hold the executive to account, we must be able to hold ourselves to account. It was rather embarrassing to read media reports on how few members, including yourself, declared their financial interest. We must symbolise accountability, transparency and honesty.

In conclusion, Honourable Speaker, I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to the your office, the legislature staff and DA staff for the assistance and support afforded to Honourable Masango and myself, and the efforts made to assist us in the fulfilling of our duties.