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70% Of Johannesburg Prostitutes Are HIV Positive

The finding that 70% of Johannesburg sex workers are HIV positive is immensely disturbing.

Johannesburg sex workers have a higher infection rate than Durban’s 53% and Cape Town’s almost 40%.

This is according to a study by the US Centres for Disease Control in partnership with University of California, the Anova Health Institute and the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute.

While we are having good success in treatment for HIV/AIDS, we are failing dismally with prevention.

Part of the reason is because high risk groups such as sex workers are not taking sufficient preventative measures.

The Gauteng Health Department should urgently look into providing the HIV prevention drug, Truvada, to sex workers and other high risk groups.

More education is also needed on consistent use of condoms by both males and females.

Media enquiries:
Jack Bloom MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health
082 333 4222

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DA calls for investigation into ANC councillors’ abuse of state resources

The Democratic Alliance has proof that at least nine ANC Councillors in the City Tshwane, including the Chief Whip are living in municipal properties without paying rent. This is despite some of these councillors owning properties in Tshwane.

Chief Whip of Tshwane, Councillor Swartland Jabo Mabona lives in a municipal property in Annlin, although he personally owns more than one property in Tshwane. Furthermore, his monthly municipal services account is being paid by the municipality. To date the municipality has paid R32 800 for the Chief Whip’s municipal services.

There are a number of other examples of ANC public representatives abusing state resources for their own personal benefit.

These include:

  • Mayoral Committee member, Councillor Thembi Mmoko lives in a municipal property in Erasmuskloof. During the 2014/2015 financial year Tshwane spent at least R48 762 on this property, including paying for monthly garden services, pest control and deep cleaning of the property;
  • The City also paid for maintenance work on an ANC councillor’ house in Patryshond Street, Garsfontein to the value of R63 000 during the 2014/2015 financial year. This work included the installation of a sliding door and garage door, fixing a broken stove and repairs to a gate motor. The amounts paid for this work are also questionable as it was above market value;
  • The City also paid for the installation and fixing of a gate motor at a municipal property in Hertzog Street, Rietfontein, where a former councillor lives – to the value of R11 664; and
  • A former ANC Councillor who lives in Rooiwal, is nearly R200 000 in arrears when it comes to paying rent, yet the City spent R51 700 on the property last year, while another former councillor who stays in Bond Street, Sunnyside, also owes R300 000 in unpaid rent.

The ANC Parliamentary Office rents a house in Arcadia from the City of Tshwane, which he uses for offices. Although the monthly rent is paid, the municipal services account is in arrears of R500 000, yet these services have not been stopped by the municipality.

Many ANC councillor’s accounts also do not reflect payment for waste management, which is the case for all other residential accounts sent to rate payers.

The Municipal Structures Act, Item 12A of Schedule 1, states that a councillor may not be in arrears to the municipality for rates and taxes for a period longer than 3 months. Furthermore, the Public Office Bearers Remuneration Act makes it abundantly clear that municipal councillors are not entitled to any housing benefits.

Finally, according to the rental contracts of municipal properties, tenants are solely responsible for all expenses on these properties, including maintenance and upgrades as well as the services bills.

It is clear that this is nothing but an abuse of power and goes to show that the ANC are only focused on creating a patronage network that benefits themselves, their family and friends rather than delivering to the people.

The fact that a number of senior ANC public representatives are abusing the system also shows that the fish rots from the top.

This abuse of state resources must be stopped.

The DA therefore wrote to the Auditor General on Thursday 3 December 2015, detailing the complete allegations, with proof of this irregular expenditure.

We further call on the Executive Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, and Municipal Manager, Jason Ngobeni, to urgently launch an investigation into all municipal owned properties occupied rent free by councillors and former councillors. They must also immediately take action to collect all outstanding debt from those guilty of failing to pay their municipal accounts and maintenance on their properties.

These current and former public representatives must also be given notice to vacate these properties immediately, as municipal housing should be prioritised for employees with scarce skills and employees who have to live in close proximity to their work.

The investigation must also specifically look into whether or not councillors are in breach of the Code of Conduct for Municipal Councillors and if found to be in breach they should be prosecuted accordingly.

Together, with Tshwane residents we can stop the cancer of corruption, grow the economy, create jobs and ensure that all citizens have access to services and opportunities.

We are also committed to ensuring every cent of public funds is spent on improving the lives of Tshwane residents.

The DA will bring change to Tshwane. Change that stops corruption, the mismanagement of public funds and starts service delivery.

Media Enquiries:

Solly Msimanga

DA Tshwane Mayoral Candidate

083 612 0492

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DA Scores Absentee Mayor Parks Tau 3/10

It is almost five years since Parks Tau has taken office as Mayor of Johannesburg, but under his leadership the so-called world class African city has merely limped along, battling to provide residents with levels of service befitting of such a title.

For years inaccurate billing has remained a constant challenge, negatively impacting the city’s finances and ultimately delaying the roll-out of much needed maintenance and upgrade programmes throughout the city.

This crisis is exacerbated by a massive R1,2 billion tender for unapproved smart electricity meters which was awarded to Edison Power, whose chairperson Vivian Reddy has close ties to President Jacob Zuma.

Over the years housing and sanitation backlogs have left thousands of residents living their lives in undignified squalor, while the city simply takes no action against large scale corruption and non-delivery.

Every day Johannesburg residents are forced to cope with massive water losses, unreliable electricity supply, poor road infrastructure, failed job creation initiatives and an ever-slowing rate of service delivery.

Johannesburg should be a world-class city. It has the capacity and the people to achieve this goal, and residents want to see it shine as a caring city for all who live in it.

Johannesburg should become a model of service delivery and excellence in South Africa, a title currently held by Cape Town.

The DA has developed this report card to rate the performance of Mayor Parks Tau and Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) to analyse each individual’s grasp of their portfolio, their service delivery track record, and their willingness to be held accountable.

 

Executive Mayor – Cllr Parks Tau

While the city stumbles from crisis to crisis, Mayor Tau uses every publicity stunt in the book to paint a picture of a Johannesburg which is far removed from reality.

Mayor Tau is ultimately responsible for the state of the city, but yet palms it off to others and dodges accountability every step of the way.

The recent Pikitup strike is a case in point, where the mayor prioritised the Africities Summit over rampant strikers and rubbish piles all over the city. He had to turn to provincial Cooperative Governance MEC Jacob Mamabolo to act outside his mandate to intervene and restore order.

True to form, the mayor has yet to pronounce himself on the fight against corruption, water losses, electric supply instability, and housing issues.

The fact is that residents have long ago realised that mayor Tau is merely a poster boy for the city, while he allows the proper running of the city to be hampered by ineffective spending, corruption and poor management.

Mayor Tau has not met any of his key performance indicators, is not willing to be held accountable, and continues to hold Johannesburg back from being a world-class city.

Score: 3/10

 

MMC for Finance – Cllr Geoffrey Makhubo

Since taking over the finance portfolio in 2011 from Mayor Parks Tau, Geoffrey Makhubo has been more hands-on than his predecessor ever was.

He scores well for attending Section 79 committee meetings, for listening to opposition input, and at times, accepting important suggestions.

However, he defends the indefensible, including the R1,2 billion smart electricity meters contract with Edison, which has caused major headaches for thousands of consumers.

Makhubo likes to paint a rosy picture, pretending all is well.

Yet the recent arrests of revenue employees and officials doing business with council show that he has not been able to beat corruption and build an effective financial management environment.

Score: 4/10

 

MMC for Economic Development – Cllr Ruby Mathang

Under the stewardship of Cllr Mathang, the local economic development department has failed to meet key targets, and the city has failed to facilitate a “one-stop, red-carpet” facility to attract investors.

Of particular concern is that Cllr Mathang’s written responses to questions arising from quarterly reports provide the bare minimum information, leaving proper oversight completely hamstrung.

The lack of detail on business process outsourcing (BPO) and the Johannesburg Broadband Network (JBN) are prime examples.

There is a huge gap in information about what the JBN will do and how it will be funded, which creates potential for corruption and mismanagement.

Despite numerous DA requests, members of the board of the Johannesburg Market have yet to address the Economic Development Committee and answer questions.

Score: 4/10

 

MMC for Housing – Cllr Dan Bovu

Housing MMC Dan Bovu pays lip service to critical questions.

His responses regarding the controversial 96/97 housing list are totally unsatisfactory; claiming that 5% of applicants will be housed, yet subsequent reports have contradicted him, noting that not a single house had been allocated.

The department has failed to meet its own targets, and according to the latest quarterly report, met only four out of its 14 Key Performance Indicators.

Very little effort is made to tackle corruption and improve monitoring of service providers contracted to provide housing. Overall, project management leaves much to be desired.

As a result, contractors deliver poor quality housing or in some cases abandon building sites, leaving the city with virtually no value for money.

Score: 2/10

 

MMC for Public Safety – Cllr Sello Lemao

The buck for the failures of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and EMS fire services stops with Cllr Lemao.

He has let down the people of Johannesburg, which has been rated one of the world’s most unsafe cities.

Complaints about corrupt JMPD officials are received daily, while traffic law enforcement appears to be limited to occasional after-hour road blocks and joint operations.

During the past year Public Safety Department has failed on many life-and-death service deliverables, such as the Joburg 10+ service, which remains ineffective in most wards.

There are major mechanical issues with EMS fire rescue fleets, with many fire stations ill-equipped and understaffed.

Firefighters are caught up in long-standing unresolved disputes with management, and morale is at an all-time low.

Score: 3/10

 

MMC for Transport – Cllr Christine Walters

Cllr Walters is one of the few well-performing MMCs and puts her colleagues to shame.

She lives up to her open-door policy, boasts a strong attendance record at meetings and is always willing to assist all councillors. Her written responses are timeous and thorough.

However, the story for the two transport entities in her portfolio, Metrobus and the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), is the complete opposite. Management of both entities are reluctant to attend compulsory meetings and respond to questions unless Cllr Walters intervenes.

The JRA remains tarnished with allegations of corruption, supply chain manipulation and collusion. While motorists and commuters have to deal with potholes, broken traffic lights, and poor infrastructure, very little change seems to be in the offering.

Public transport remains a matter of concern. Metrobus struggles with a massive overdraft and low passenger usage, while staff recently went on strike over incorrect PAYE deductions.

Score: 6/10

 

MMC for Environment, Infrastructure and Service Delivery – Cllr Matshidiso Mfikoe

Arguably the portfolio which requires the strongest of personalities, proven leadership skills, and a track record of problem solving and negotiation – all of which are lacking in Cllr Mfikoe.

With the entities at the forefront of service delivery such as Pikitup, City Power and Joburg Water all part of this portfolio, the track records of these entities during the past years tell their own stories about Cllr Mfikoe’s poor performance.

Overall, this portfolio has underachieved on every one of its key performance indicators, evidenced by the regressing quality of service delivery and ever-growing maintenance backlog.

Score: 2/10

 

MMC for Development Planning – Cllr Ros Greeff

The potential for maladministration in Cllr Greeff’s department, which has a budget of hundreds of millions of rand, is incredibly high due to the lack of proper checks and balances.

The department is plagued by staff shortages and a lack of critical skills, and urgently requires a sense of professionalism.

Very few Key Performance Indicators were achieved and as such, the department has had to return R100 million in unspent funds which were destined for Mayor Tau’s “Corridors of Freedom” projects.

The questionable number of claim applications creates an environment for potential corruption with building inspectors.

Score: 3/10

 

MMC for Health and Social Development – Cllr Nonceba Molwele

Social assistance provided by the department is haphazard to say the least, and fails to build any solid foundation to empower those who need it most.

The social net it purports to provide has too many gaps to be effective in meeting the needs of residents.

Funding remains a critical shortcoming, but this requires political will and a commitment to the plight of the needy to fulfil.

This is echoed by Cllr Molwele’s reluctance to attend Section 79 committee meetings and her lackadaisical approach to oversight.

Score: 4/10

 

MMC for Community Development – Cllr Chris Vondo

The recent horrific murders and rape in Rhodes Park, Kensington highlighted the need for improved security in the City’s parks.

Cllr Vondo areas of responsibility include Joburg City Parks, the zoo, cemeteries, and open spaces, and these facilities remain poorly cleaned and maintained. In short Rhodes Park has become a poster of the department’s inability to provide residents with safe and relaxing recreation areas.

Score: 4/10

 

MMC for Corporate and Shared Services – Cllr Mally Mokoena

The departments are plagued by operational problems due to senior managers who do not take their work seriously and are places where political patronage appears to reign supreme.

In one instance a list of bursary recipients included relatives of an ANC councillor – these were only removed by officials after the DA vehemently opposed their inclusion.

Since then, the DA has been eagerly awaiting a report reflecting that the names had indeed been removed, but to date none has been forthcoming.

In general, the Department has failed to achieve many of their annual targets, and its budget was underspent – clear indications of a lack of skilled and competent professional staff to oversee project management and implementation.

Score: 5/10

 

Johannesburg requires dramatic intervention if the city is ever going to have acceptable levels of service delivery. It is clear that Mayor Tau and his MMCs are simply coasting along in the hope that people remain satisfied with a poor quality of life.

When one compares Johannesburg’s levels of service delivery, job creation initiatives, public safety plans, revenue collection and financial management with the DA-led City of Cape Town, it is abundantly clear that Johannesburg has a long way to go before it can call itself a world-class city.

During the past five years residents have seen for themselves how the gulf between Johannesburg and Cape Town has widened, and are ready to Vote DA in next year’s local government elections.

People know that where the DA governs, life is better

 

Media enquiries:

Cllr Vasco da Gama

DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader

082 957 8581

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Public Service Commission Closes Net On Gauteng MECs

Public Service Commission

The DA welcomes the move by the Public Service Commission (PSC) compelling several Gauteng MECs to take action against Heads of Department (HODs) who have failed to recover millions of rand worth of public money lost due to financial misconduct.

In tabling its report before the Gauteng Legislature last month, the PSC alarmingly noted that of 121 cases of financial misconduct, only 3% of individuals were criminally charged.

To date, of the R67 million that has gone missing, either through corrupt business practices, theft or negligence – only R 6000 has been recovered.

Corruption and Financial Misconduct of Public Funds

While Gauteng Premier David Makhura claims his administration is taking a hard line on corruption and financial misconduct, the facts speak for themselves, and neither the DA, nor the PSC are convinced, which is why the PSC, in writing, issued a directive and insist that concrete evidence be provided over action taken.

To this end, the DA will submit written questions to the MECs for e-Governance, economic development, roads and transport, infrastructure development and social development upon Legislature’s reopening in 2016 – asking for progress reports on the PSC’s recommendations.

The DA will continue to pursue this matter and offer all our cooperation to the PSC to ensure that public funds are recovered and that the individuals involved in are brought to book.

 

Media enquiries:

Mike Moriarty MPL

DA Chief Whip in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature

082 492 4410

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DA To Present The City Of Johannesburg Report Card

Tomorrow, Thursday 10 December 2015, DA Caucus Leader in the City of Johannesburg Council, Cllr Vasco da Gama and members of his shadow cabinet will present the DA’s annual report card on the performance of Mayor Parks Tau and Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs)

The DA will rate the Mayor and the MMCs’ performances in their respective portfolios during the past year, including service delivery, financial management performance, as well as their commitment to oversight.

Date: Tomorrow, Thursday, 10 December 2015

Time: 10h00

Venue: DA boardroom, Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Johannesburg.

There will be opportunities for interviews and photographs. Members of the media are invited to attend.

 

Media enquiries:

Nkele Molapo

Media Officer

082 953 8330

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Gauteng Speaker Needs To Improve Objectivity

Speaker of the Legislature – Ntombi Mekgwe

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature plays a critical role in ensuring the provincial government under the stewardship of Premier David Makhura and his executive council are held to account.

Speaker of the Legislature, Ntombi Mekgwe, is vested with the powers to ensure that Gauteng’s peoples constitutional rights are upheld, that services are delivered and poor governance or any mismanagement are dealt with timeously.

For the first quarter of 2015, Speaker Mekgwe struggled to apply procedures and rules that guided sittings of the Legislature, and to a large extent allowed unruly behaviour to prevail.

This caused an unnecessary waste of time, and prevented opposition parties from holding Premier Makhura’s cabinet to account.

However, after numerous engagements with party whips, matters have improved to an extent where delays are less frequent and rules are strictly and uniformly applied during sittings.

Corruption Allegations, Oversight and Accountability

On the downside, Speaker Mekgwe has been slow to act on allegations of nepotism and corruption within the institution.

After these allegations were brought to her attention, it took two months before she established a panel, with no clear timeframe or terms of reference, to investigate.

As far as oversight is concerned, the DA asked 1305 questions to the executive in 2015, of which 15% went unanswered.

However too many questions were either partially or unsatisfactorily answered, while MECs’ attendance to portfolio committee meetings remains a challenge.

Despite contacting the Speaker on numerous occasions to address these issues throughout the year, it was only taken up in November.

Decent Government Services

For all intents and purposes, the ANC continues to avoid oversight and accountability, while it seems that the Speaker remains content to allow the status quo to continue.

While she may tick all boxes as a functionary, she is by no means an inspiration and is unlikely to take any initiative of her own accord.

As long as Gauteng’s residents do not get quality and decent government services, the DA will continue to ensure that this government is held to account.

 

Media enquiries:

Mike Moriarty MPL

DA Chief Whip in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature

082 492 4410

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Gauteng Metros Collectively Lose Over 88 Billion Kilolitres Of Water

A total of 88,177 billion kilolitres of water losses were reported in Gauteng’s three metropolitan municipalities from July 2014 to June 2015.

This is enough to fill approximately 35 000 Olympic sized swimming pools.

The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, revealed this information in a written reply to a DA question in the Gauteng Legislature.

(Click here to view the reply)

These water losses were largely due to flaws in the metering and billing systems in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.

Furthermore, the MEC ascribes the massive losses to illegal connections, physical leaks and reservoir overflows.

Old pipe replacement projects for the 2015/16 financial year will collectively cost the three metros R1,785 billion.

The City of Johannesburg alone will fork out R3, 138 billion over the next three years to replace pipes, faulty meters and install pressure reducing valves.

Where it governs, the DA has reduced water losses to below 21% through the effective implementation of an array of strategies.

Joburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni can take a leaf out of the DA-run City of Cape Town’s book to reduce the amount of losses and revenue being spent on frivolous programmes.

The 2016 Local Government Elections is fast approaching and the DA can deliver these programmes to cut water losses and improve services when it wins Tshwane, Joburg and Ekurhuleni.

 

Media enquiries:

Fred Nel MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Cooperative Governance

083 263 2427

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Saulsville residents let down by SAPS

Today, accompanied by DA Gauteng Leader John Moodey MPL, I visited the site of the recently demolished police station in Saulsville.

The Saulsville police station was built in 2005 but stood unoccupied until it was demolished two months ago. The station cost R53 million to build, which means millions of Rands that could have been used to make the community safer have now been thrown away by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Before it was broken down, the station had also contributed to crime in the area.

It had been used by drug dealers and vagrants who also illegally occupied the building and sold off parts of it for money.

Due to the station standing empty for ten years, the Saulsville community have also had to rely on the Atteridgeville police station to report their crimes.

Residents claim that police officers from the Atteridgeville station seldom patrol their community, which has resulted in crime skyrocketing in the area.

The 2014/2015 crime statistics released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) reveal that in areas falling under the Atteridgeville station:

  • Murder increased by 62.5% since 2013/14 – 39 people were murdered in 2014/15
  • Attempted murder increased by 78.7% since 2013/14 – 108 cases were reported in 2014/15
  • Common robbery increased by 42.4% since 2013/14 – with 245 cases reported in 2014/15;
  • There were 716 residential burglaries reported in 2014/15 – an increase of 17.6% from 2013/14; and
  • There were 75 cases of car-jacking reported in 2014/15 – an increase of 80.5% from 2013/14.

It is clear from these stats that residents in Saulsville and other areas failing under the jurisdiction of the Atteridgeville Police Station are under siege by criminals.

While these communities live in fear on a daily basis, refusing to leave their homes after dark, the leadership of SAPS have done nothing to turn this situation around and instead squandered R53 million, which could have been used to increase police resources in the area.

Questions on Saulsville police station posed in 2013 to former National Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa’s office were referred to recently axed national police spokesman Solomon Makgale, who failed to respond.

The fact that the SAPS leadership has known about the unoccupied Saulsville station but has taken no action over the past ten years shows they do not care about the safety of the community.

While crime has escalated in the area, the police allowed a building that cost R53 million to build to fall into ruin and have now simply demolished the building, despite there being a serious need for a police station in the area.

It is critical that whoever is responsible for this waste of public money is held accountable and that SAPS presents a plan on how they plan to bring down crime in Saulsville.

I will therefore be writing to the Gauteng Police Commissioner Lt-General Lesetja Mothiba requesting that he launch an urgent investigation into this matter to determine:

  • Why the police building has stood unoccupied since 2005;
  • Why the police have allowed the R53 million building to be occupied by vagrants and vandalised;
  • What action will be taken against those responsible for this waste of public funds;
  • What are the reasons for the police station being demolished in October – after standing empty for 10 years; and
  • What plans are in place to bring down the high levels of crime in Saulsville in light of there not being a police station in the area.

I will be giving Lt-General Mothiba a week to respond to my questions, failing which, I will write to National Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane requesting that they urgently intervene in this matter and ensure those responsible for wasting public money are held responsible.

We will not allow SAPS to sweep this matter under the carpet by simply demolishing the Saulsville police station and acting as if it never existed.

When the DA takes over Tshwane we will ensure that communities are made safer through effective law enforcement and crime prevention activities.

We are also committed to ensuring every cent of public funds is spent on improving the lives of Tshwane residents.

The DA will bring change to Tshwane. Change that stops corruption, the mismanagement of public funds and starts service delivery.

 

Media Enquiries:

Solly Msimanga

DA Tshwane Mayoral Candidate

083 612 0492

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Gauteng Cabinet Report Card: The Cracks Are Showing

Gauteng ANC Premier David Makhura and his cabinet have steered through another year in office, and it is becoming increasingly clear that “Team Gauteng” is not living up to its promise since taking office in June 2014.

Members of the Executive Council (MECs) are embroiled in investigations, entities have gone bankrupt, and programmes are failing, while Gauteng’s people are crying out for more bang for their buck.

While the premier continues to insist the opposite, allegations and counter-allegations abound that the move was designed to protect officials connected to former MEC Lebogang Maile.

MEC Bopape has been appointed MEC for Social Development, while MEC Faith Mazibuko has replaced her.

For the purpose of this report card, the two will be rated on their performance in their former portfolios.

The DA Cabinet scorecard is an analysis based on individual MECs’ grasp of their portfolio demands, leadership skills, approachability, and willingness to appear before oversight committees.

Premier David Makhura
Since the 2014 report card, the Premier’s score has dropped.

Despite being the first to acknowledge ANC arrogance in the implementation of e-tolls, he swiftly back-tracked and succumbed to political pressure from above, and in the process abandoned the people of Gauteng by not scrapping the project in its entirety.

And now, the provincial government has been forced to pay just over R120 million to keep e-tolls afloat.

There are more pressing needs in Gauteng than spending money on failed projects.

His ambitious talk of Transformation, Modernisation and Re-industrialisation of Gauteng are at risk of not getting off the ground during his term of office – evidenced by the fact that there has been an 18% increase in the use of consultants.

Without the necessary skills in his office, the premier will have a hard time to deliver.

His administration has failed to make any visible strides in the revitalisation of the Township economy – which is one of the key components of his ten pillar plan.

Equally the Premier has been vague on employment opportunities supposedly created by his flagship Tshepo 500 000 program.

To date, little tangible evidence of real jobs has been forthcoming, and replies to questions continue to be vague.

While action has been taken regarding alleged corruption in G-Fleet, and a forensic audit has been instituted in the Department of Sports, Heritage, Arts and Culture – only 3% of all government officials investigated for financial wrongdoing have been criminally prosecuted.

In a surprise move, Premier Makhura removed MEC Molebatsi Bopape from Sports, Heritage, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SHRAC), instituting an investigation into her tenure as MEC relating to corruption within the department.

The truth is that the “People’s Premier” who promised an activist government remain long on ambitious promises, but short on delivery.

Score: 6/10
Finance – MEC Barbara Creecy
During the past year, MEC Creecy has appeared to immerse herself in ICT and now speaks with the confidence of a subject expert.

However, on further probing, one discovers that the confidence lacks the technical detail.

She has had an acting HOD for the last year and only recently had her old Education HOD join her – someone who, despite management experience, also lacks the technical detail on a department completely related to ICT.

The department itself seems to be slowly picking up, meeting some targets and missing others.

The Gauteng Broadband Network is not the silver bullet it promised to be, with many centres not yet connected, and where facilities are connected, they have not switched over from their private service providers.

Problems with SAP upgrades meant that suppliers to government were not paid for a month this year.

The work of the DAV Centre still seems to be shrouded in secrecy despite its costs. So far, all we know is the failed Gauteng Online systems were open source and built by the DAV Centre.

However, the department does seem to be slowly shaping up into something resembling an ICT shared services department, but it still seems to be characterised by internal staff lethargy.

On aspects of accountability, responses to questions are deliberately vague, PAIA applications are frequently declined and avoidance still seems to be the order of the day.

Most alarmingly, officials in the department will not even assist with the most basic of information and won’t entertain entering into correspondence, out of fear of incurring the wrath of the MEC.

Score: 6/10
Social Development – MEC Faith Mazibuko
MEC Mazibuko has failed vulnerable members of society, and hopefully MEC Molebatsi Bopape will attack her new portfolio with vigour.

The Department, in its quarterly reports, do not show proper finances and shortcomings, they only indicate targets and what has been achieved.

The quality of the reports remains shoddy which severely hampers efforts by committee members to perform oversight and hold officials to account.

Many NGOs dependent on government grants are paid late, which compromises their ability to do their work, which is more often the work of the department.

With the rise in unemployment, the department is not doing enough to move people from welfare to working or sustainable livelihoods – especially among women and youth.

As was the case in 2014, there is still no relief and proper plans for people with disabilities, the elderly, and those who struggle with substance abuse.

Equally concerning is that there are no proper plans aimed at capacitating the growing number of non-compliant Early Childhood Development centres in the province.

The MEC has also failed to collect monies owing to the department from other departments and entities.

Score: 4/10
Health – Qedani Mahlangu
This department has shown some improvement in financial management, but still received a qualified report from the Auditor General.

Senior management posts have now been filled, including a competent new Head of Department.

According to the 2014/15 Annual Report, only 86 out of 160 targets were met (54%), and there has been little improvement in meeting targets this year.

Only one hospital (Steve Biko Academic) and only one clinic meet the required high standards set by the national health department.

Medico-legal claims now exceed R10 billion, and the department will pay about R200 million this year in court-ordered payments for hospital negligence.

Some building projects are still way beyond schedule, including the Randgate clinic in Randfontein, which was supposed to be completed in July last year, and the psychiatric ward at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital, which should have been completed four years ago.

Many patients still face long queues and waiting times for operations.

The much-vaunted “turn-around” of this department is very slow and has a long way to go.
Score: 3/10
Education – MEC Panyaza Lesufi
The MEC has done well in terms of school admission. Learners were successfully placed to schools at the beginning of the year, and Gauteng retained the number one position in terms of the 2014 Grade 12 pass rate.

The recognition of the best performing learners from disadvantaged schools by awarding bursaries to the top three is a great initiative.

This year saw the introduction of paperless classrooms as an innovative way to teach and learn, but connectivity and security of these assets remain a concern.

The MEC is open to allow Members of the Legislature to visit schools and is always approachable and ready to intervene where necessary.

The MEC is willing to listen to different views and respond immediately. He regularly conducts oversight visits to schools to see challenges for himself.

However, there are challenges that remain.

The MEC hasn’t dealt with corruption in an unequivocal manner – he made commitments to follow up on cases of corruption, but no follow-ups have been reported.

Overcrowded classrooms and high lerner/teacher ratios in historically disadvantaged schools remain a concern.

The MEC must realign districts and head offices to ensure sustainable support to schools, such as school furniture, sports, nutrition, scholar transport, intervention programmes, teacher development and school renovations.

School infrastructure still needs a proper project management

The department and the MEC at times remain vague at question time, providing unverified information on the number of schools, the supply of tablets, school upgrades, and school closures.

Score: 7/10

Community Safety and Security – MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane
The MEC has done little to curb the continuing high rate of accruals which impacts negatively on the service delivery of the department.

For the past 4 years there have been the same matters of emphasis from the Auditor General which indicates poor financial management – again, the MEC has not taken the initiative to turn the tide and improve the situation.

There is an overall lack of impact on the high levels of crime in Gauteng which affects residents on a daily basis – particularly the marginalised.

The department is not focusing on its constitutional mandate of oversight of the SAPS. This is highlighted by the fact that the majority of SAPS key performance indicators were not met over the past 12 months.

Another failing of the MEC is that even though the she knew the previous HOD was leaving the department prior to April this year, it has taken more than seven months to appoint a new HOD.

Corrupt practice around the logging of overtime is still rife and has not been addressed by the MEC.

Score: 3/10
Cooperative Governance, traditional affairs and human settlements – MEC Jacob Mamabolo

The department has, during the current administration, been unable to administer, roll out or effectively monitor its purpose and function as provided for in the constitution and the Housing Act – which is the provision of housing for the poor, and the establishment, development and maintenance of economically viable communities.

The MEC continues to refuse to implement conditions of court orders, such as the directive to provide accommodation for the residents of the N12 informal settlement in Ekurhuleni.

A commitment was made to carry out a transparent audit of housing lists and the allocation of houses.

To date no information has been received and the MEC has to provide answers in this regard.

The department incurred irregular expenditure of R2,6 billion for the 2014/15 financial year, little political will has been shown to rectify this.

Score: 2.5/10
Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development – MEC Lebogang Maile

Jobs still remain the number one priority for the Province, but the department seems unable or unwilling to set targets in this regard – and escapes having to produce tangible results.

There are many wonderful schemes but not much visible action.

An example would be the Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis, which has been punted for many years, but the sod turning only occurred in the latter half of this year.

Other job creation hubs remain plans on paper or very poorly developed.

The major disappointment of the year was the declared bankruptcy of the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, with an outstanding debt in unresolved loans of R100 million over the last 10 years.

The MEC did the right thing by placing a moratorium on any further loans but it should never have gotten to this point.

The MEC seems to lack any understanding of the importance of agriculture to job creation in this province

He appears to have little technical knowledge of his portfolio, and knows nothing noteworthy about agriculture and environmental matters.

Agriculture is still not seen as a key job driver and economic sector on its own.

This is evidenced by the results achieved in the annual report which has no impact whatsoever on the province’s economy.

Responses to oversight tools such as oral and written questions are dismal. The MEC reads from a script – he seems not to have an understanding of the answers written for him by departmental staff.

The way the department deals with the environmental impact of specifically water losses and mine tailings in the province is shockingly inadequate, and officials are happy to pass the buck on to the Blue Scorpions and Department of Mineral Resources, without playing any significant role.

The impact of the drought on the agricultural sector in Gauteng was expected in June this year but no contingency plans were put in place

MEC Maile clearly has no vision for Gauteng’s economic future and no plans to fix anything.

Score: 3.5/10

 

Infrastructure Development – MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza
The Department of Infrastructure Development continues to perform poorly.

It is unable to complete, on average, 40% of its annual targets. The result is that projects are not completed on time and within budget.

MEC Mayathula-Khoza is not prepared to publicly admit to the department’s poor performance, and aided and abetted by the Premier, spins and whitewashes reports of dysfunctionality.

During the financial year under review, the MEC allowed conditions of no consequences for poor performance to flourish.

Management failures on her watch include underspending on projects of client departments, inability to recruit professional staff and a lack of project management expertise.
Score: 4/10
Roads and Transport – MEC Ismail Vadi
MEC Ismail Vadi started out his tenure in office promisingly.

However, during the past 12 months the department has failed to live up to the grand expectations set by the MEC.

MEC Vadi is often vague and evasive about projects and programmes that are run by the department. He is non-committal and open-ended when answering pertinent questions in the house.

Once frank about e-tolls, the MEC has followed Premier Makhura and has now become complicit in foisting this unjust system on the citizens of Gauteng.

G-Fleet, the department’s vehicle rental entity, has gone from bad to worse under the MEC’s tenure, and is the worst performing entity in the Gauteng Provincial Government.
Score: 5/10
Sports, Heritage Recreation, Arts and Culture – MEC Molebatsi Bopape

Premier Makhura’s dissatisfaction with MEC Bopape’s performance says it all, but it is doubtful whether MEC Mazibuko, with her poor track record over the years, will have any positive impact on the department.

The Department’s annual performance has regressed from last year, with more findings being made by the Auditor General. Poor planning has resulted in targets constantly being reprioritised throughout the year.

The department failed to complete all planned library construction in the 2014/15 financial year, nor did it manage to maintain functioning community sports/creative hubs.

Poor financial controls have seen the department incur irregular expenditure to the tune of R88.4 million with one tender alone amounting to R68 million.

Instead of aligning the department’s priorities to deliver services, MEC Bopape rather enjoyed utilising the department’s budget to host events and take lavish trips overseas.

Score: 2/10
The Gauteng Cabinet report card shows how after its first full year in office, the public is looking for answers and want to see results.

By now Premier Makhura has certainly realised that grand plans and announcements require follow through.

While he and his executive are quick to announce grand schemes, a lack of political willpower, and in some instances, technical know-how, keeps Gauteng’s residents in the lurch.

As long as the premier does not walk his activist government talk, his promise of a Gauteng government that delivers will remain distant if he does not steer his executive in that direction.

Media enquiries:
John Moodey MPL
DA Gauteng Provincial Leader
082 960 3843
 
Willie Venter
Director: Communications and research
DA Gauteng
060 963 8260

[Image source]

Posted on

DA To Present Gauteng Cabinet Report Card

Today, 8 December 2015, DA Gauteng Provincial Leader, John Moodey and members of his shadow cabinet will present the DA’s annual report card on the performance of Premier David Makhura and members of the executive committee (MECs).

The DA will rate the Premier and the MECs’ performances in their respective portfolios during the past year, including service delivery, financial management performance, as well as their commitment to parliamentary oversight.

Date: 8 December 2015

Time: 10h00

Venue: DA boardroom, Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Johannesburg.

There will be opportunities for interviews and photographs. Members of the media are welcome to attend.

 

Media enquiries:

Willie Venter

DA Gauteng Director: Communications and Research

060 963 8260

[Image source]