Gauteng Needs More Housing And Less Promises

Gauteng Housing Backlog

Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Jacob Mamabolo, has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he is failing to deliver on his mandate to handle the Gauteng housing backlog which now surpasses over 1 million.

In his political report for 2015 Gauteng Premier David Makhura, admitted to the shortcomings of the human settlements department in delivering housing opportunities for the residents in the province.

Under Mamobolo’s leadership, the human settlements department has cracked and failed to reach many of its priority targets and policies which include:

  • The non-delivery of RDP houses;
  • Inability to roll out in-situ upgrading programmes; and
  • The failure to consolidate social housing programmes as well as planning of the mega city.

Access to Basic Housing

The number of people living in shacks and informal dwellings has not reduced since 1994 and one in five residents in the City of Johannesburg still live in an informal settlement.

After 21 years of a democratic dispensation, residents in Alexandra, Dube, Diepkloof, Daveyton and Brandvlei to name a few, still struggle to access basic housing.

This is indicative of a disintegrating leadership that is completely out of touch.

Gauteng residents also still await the MEC’s promise to initiate an investigation into the R 2.6 billion in irregular expenditure incurred by his department.

Decent, Sustainable Housing

MEC Mamabolo lacks transparency and fails to be held accountable by the residents of Gauteng, thus corroding the public’s trust and hope for decent and sustainable housing.

The MEC must clean up his act and start exercising decisive leadership that will see the living conditions of the people improve.  It is high time that he deliver on his promised mandate before taking oath of office.

 

Media enquiries:

Mervyn Cirota MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Human Settlements

060 558 8312

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Police And Ambulance Fail To Respond To Cleveland Assault

Jumpers Informal Settlement

I am very concerned that Johannesburg emergency ambulances and the Cleveland police did not respond to the assault and robbery of security guards at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland in east Johannesburg.

Three guards from VPS Security were attacked at about 4am on Sunday morning (6 December). They were there to guard equipment being used to build shacks in the wake of a devastating fire.

Two of them were hit on the head with guns, and a generator and cellphones were stolen.

Cleveland Police

When emergency services was called they said they could not come as they were changing shift.

The Cleveland police were also called but did not come even though they are very near the informal settlement.

We need answers for this shocking poor service by both the emergency ambulance service and the police.

I will seek accountability in this matter together with the DA Ward Councillor Mike Spadino.

 

Media enquiries:

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Joburg East

082 333 4222

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Pikitup Strike Shows Up Parks Tau’s Aloof Leadership

Illegal Pikitup Strike

The DA notes the end to the illegal strike by Pikitup employees, and that it’s not thanks to the efforts of Joburg Mayor Parks Tau, but Cooperative Governance MEC Jacob Mamabolo and his team.

According to media reports MEC Mamabolo has been locked in talks with SAMWU since Monday, while Mayor Tau made absolutely no effort to do so himself.

Tau remains aloof and inaccessible, uncommitted to the hard work needed to solve crises in the City.

Clearly Mayor Tau is nothing but a lame duck Mayor if an MEC needs to clean up the mess in Johannesburg.

Johannesburg Residents Rallying Behind DA

While the DA appreciates workers’ concerns and MEC Mamabolo’s willingness to address them, we remain concerned that no action will be taken against Pikitup MD, Amanda Nair, despite being faced with numerous allegations of poor management, maladministration, nepotism and misconduct.

Why does Parks Tau keep Nair so protected when Pikitup is in disarray and facing major allegations?

What Johannesburg residents have learnt from this experience is that Parks Tau’s only function is publicity while the provincial ANC and their union allies pull the strings.

The DA has been steadfast in our convictions that mayors and their executives should be accountable to the people who voted for them, should directly engage issues, and should be accessible to the public.

Local Government Elections 2016

The people of Johannesburg are increasingly rallying behind the DA, because they know, where the DA governs, life is indeed better.

Momentum is building behind the DA toward Election 2016, where we are set on winning the City of Johannesburg.

 

Media enquiries:

Cllr Vasco da Gama

DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader

082 957 8581

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DA’s SCOPA Report On 2014/15 G-Fleet Annual Performance

Speech by: Glenda Steyn MPL

“G-Fleet needs to get its act together”

  • A year ago, the entity assured SCOPA that it had a plan of action to remedy the matter, yet the saga continues as does the mystery.
  • The difference between Avis or Budget or any other commercial car hire company and g-Fleet is that somehow, the records of the entity just are not available to be able to effectively bill, collect and report on revenue.
  • The MEC will tell us that it is revenue generating and hence brings income into the province which can be spent on service delivery. But Mr MEC, we can only be sure of that if the entity can account accurately.

The full speech can be obtained here

 

Speech by: Graham Gersbach MPL

“We can’t afford another disastrous year with g-Fleet”

  • The problems with g-fleet did not arise overnight and the warning signs were long before the 2013/14 Annual Report and yet the entity went from an adverse opinion to a disclaimer.
  • There are a number of similar fleet management businesses offering both long term vehicle leases and short term rentals and fleet management inclusive of maintenance.
  • The MEC must ensure that any promises made this year are met else it will show that there is a total lack of political will to resolve the problems facing g-Fleet.

The full speech can be obtained here

 

Media enquiries:

Glenda Steyn MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on SCOPA

082 398 7375

 

Graham Gersbach MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Roads

060 556 4346

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DA Debates Gauteng 2014/15 Roads & Transport Annual Report

Speech by:  Neil Cambell MPL

“Concerted and proactive departmental efforts key to achieving road safety targets”

  • The underfunded Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport must prioritise projects by value for money
  • Tough dialogue must take place in order to deal with taxi violence, flouting of traffic laws, operating licence delays and taxi subsidisation on the agenda.
  • The DA is pleased with planned revitalisation projects as rail must become the backbone of passenger and freight transport.
  • Arbitrary bus contract renewals must stop and a real route and subsidy needs-analysis and longer contracts which allow bus recapitalisation must start.
  • To obtain a licence many would-be drivers bribe officials who allow untested drivers loose on our roads while un-roadworthy vehicles are passed by corrupt testers

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

Speech by: Justus de Goede MPL

“Public transport crucial to efficient Roads & Transport department”

  • The Province has to take the lead in assisting municipalities to cope with rising demand for services.
  • Gauteng has a backlog of 10 000 transport operating licences and officials have lost hope with no catch- up plan.
  • The Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works has invaluable lessons and support for the Gauteng Department, however all these efforts will be in vain without the necessary commitment and dynamism from leadership.
  • At the root of taxi violence is a tangled history of incompetence, corruption and open contempt for the law.
  • Public transport is essential to this province and it is very concerning that a Committee visit to a Johannesburg testing facility revealed that almost 70% of heavy vehicles tested had potential lethal flaws.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

 

Speech by: Graham Gersbach MPL

“Residents need accessible ways of reporting road infrastructure issues”

  • The residents of Bonaero Park, Bredell and neighbouring suburbs have expressed their thanks for the on-going rehabilitation of the lighting at the Atlas Road off ramp.
  • The department should strengthen relations with municipalities in order to provide a simple and accessible process of reporting road infrastructural issues.

 

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

 

 

Media enquiries:

Dr Neil Campbell MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport

082 387 2540

 

Justus de Goede MPL
DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Roads & Transport

060 558 8305

 

Graham Gersbach MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Roads

060 556 4346

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DA Stages Walk-Out To Halt Gauteng Adjustment Budget

The DA today walked out of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and prevented the 2015/16 Gauteng Midterm Adjustment budget from being tabled and approved.

The walk-out comes as a result of the ANC’s refusal to adhere to due process as set down by the Division of Revenue Act (DorA) and hold public consultation meetings as is required by law.

In Gauteng, no effort was made to advertise public hearings for feedback on the bill for the public to comment on where funds would be allocated in the midterm adjustment budget.

One of the reasons for this must surely have been the allocation of an additional R 135 million to the e-Tolls project, which the ANC is insistent on rubber stamping despite massive public contempt for the project.

This government, despite its talk of transparency, refuses to walk the walk.

The Standing Rules of Order of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature demand that a majority of all members must be present when a vote is taken on a Bill or amendment to a Bill.

The DA’s walk-out reduced the numbers in the house to less than the required 37, forcing Speaker Ntombi Mekgwe to defer the bill to the next sitting.

The Legislature is scheduled to rise for recess tomorrow.

The DA will not stand by and watch institutions and the mechanisms of democracy erode because the ANC chooses to trade transparency for expediency.

 

Media Enquiries:

Adriana Randall MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC on Finance

060 556 4342

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DA marches over poor service delivery the Emfuleni Local Municipality

Today, the Democratic Alliance lead a march to protest against poor service delivery in the Emfuleni Local Municipality. In particular, the DA and Emfuleni residents protested against the high percentage of water being lost in the municipality on a daily basis, especially at a time when the country is experience its worst drought in 23 years.

According to a report released by the Auditor-General, the Emfuleni Local Municipality lost just over 31 million kilolitres of water during the 2013/14 financial year, which resulted in a loss of R175 million. This also represents a 34.1% loss of the total water purchased by the municipality during that year.

This loss is also equal to 12.6 million water tanks, with a capacity of 2500 litres each, being wasted.

To make matters worse, it is estimated that the municipality lost the same amount of water in 2014/15 and this trend will continue during the current financial year.

This water could have been used by people, many living in poorer communities in the area, for drinking and other day-to day uses. It is unacceptable that the Emfuleni municipality has let it go to waste.

Once of the main reasons for these high water losses is because the municipality has failed to maintain and upgrade critical water infrastructure over the past few years.

Council reports reveal that there is a:

  • 6 billion storm water infrastructure backlog;
  • R723 million backlog when it comes to the maintenance of waste water treatment plants; and
  • 1 billion sanitation backlog.

This is over and above R4.2 billion that is required to address the road maintenance backlog in the municipality.

It is clear that the Emfuleni municipality is in a financial crisis, which is affecting its ability to deliver the most basic of services to residents. It’s liabilities exceed its assets and if it was a private company it would have been forced to close to its doors a while ago.

It is critical that the current mess in Emfuleni is addressed and more importantly, that the criminal wastage of water is stopped.

The DA has therefore submitted a memorandum to Municipal Manager Sam Shabalala demanding that the Emfuleni municipality immediately implements an action plan to upgrade and maintain aging water infrastructure and ensure any water and sewage leaks are fixed as soon as they are detected.

The DA is committed to ensuring that where we govern, all residents have access to water, which is their basic right.

When the DA won the City of Cape Town from the ANC in 2006, one of the most important tasks was fixing the badly maintained water infrastructure. Today after 9 years of DA government the Western Cape has the lowest amount of water leaks in the country, at 16.4%.

The DA is committed to bringing change to Emfuleni. Change that stops corruption and ensures public money is spent on service delivery.

We therefore encourage residents to register for the upcoming local elections and to vote the ANC out of Emfuleni in 2016.

Media enquiries:

Hendrik Schmidt MP

Constituency Leader: Emfuleni South

083 227 5658

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SAPS must provide answers over the reinstatement of Officer “Gold Tooth”

The DA notes with concern that the South African Police Service (SAPS) Constable, commonly known as “Gold Tooth” is back on duty despite serious allegations still hanging over his head.

This follows a Carte Blanche expose in July, where three men claimed that Constable “Gold Tooth” had arrested, intimidated and beaten them while they were in police custody.

Following the broadcasting of the expose, a disabled Edenvale resident also came forward alleging that the same officer had also assaulted him despite the fact that he is in a wheelchair.

After pressure from the DA, Gauteng Saps Commissioner Lieutenant General Lesetja Mothiba issued an instruction for the Constable to be suspended pending an investigation into his conduct.

Lieutenant General Mothiba also instructed that the rest of the management at the Edenvale police station be investigated.

But just over four  month later Constable “Gold Tooth” is back in his job.

This concerning development was announced yesterday on the Edenvale Community Police Forum’s (ECPF) Facebook page.

The Facebook post states that Constable “Gold Tooth” has been found not guilty due to insufficient evidence. As a result, he is back on duty but has been transferred to another Police Station.

The ECPF stated that they could not provide further information at this time.

The fact that Constable “Gold Tooth” is back at work, despite the fact that no detailed information has been provided on the outcome of the investigation into his conduct, is a major cause for concern.

Gauteng SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant General Lesetja Mothiba needs to provide answers in order to remove the massive cloud over Constable Gold Tooth’s head and win back the trust of the Edenvale community.

I will therefore be writing to Lieutenant General Mothiba requesting details on the following:

  • Whether statements were taken from the men who appeared in the Carte Blanche expose as part of the investigation into Constable “Gold Tooth” and the rest of the management of Edenvale police station;
  • When was the investigation concluded and what were the findings;
  • Which police station has Constable “Gold Tooth” been transferred to.

This week, Statistics South Africa released its victims of crime survey, which reveals that while South Africans are increasingly fearful of crime, trust in the police has declined. Half of the respondents also believe that the police are corrupt.

It is critical for the management of SAPS to show they are serious about taking action against police officers who are guilty of breaking the law. The serious allegations against Constable “Gold Tooth” must not simply be swept under the carpet.

The DA will continue to monitor this matter closely.

Media Enquiries:

Mike Waters MP

DA Lethabong Constituency Head

DA Deputy Chief Whip in Parliament

082 902 4523

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DA Gauteng Debates Infrastructure Development Annual Report 2014/15

Speech by: Janho Engelbrecht MPL

“DID is not able to meet its mandate”

  • DID only managed to achieve 42% of its targets in terms of health infrastructure.
  • The department is both technically and administratively challenged in meeting its mandate.
  • 32% vacancy rate and insufficient financial resources hamstring the department’s efficacy.
  • We need to ensure that DID fosters an environment with consequences for poor performance.

The full speech can be obtained here

 

Speech by: Ina Cilliers MPL

“100% vacancy rate in a toxic workplace”

  • A vacancy rate of 100% for advisory and support personnel, 77% for artisan foremen and 50% + for chief artisans, architects and legal staff tells the story of a toxic workplace.
  • Fruitless and wasteful expenditure amounted to R415 million, nearly a quarter of the entire budget.
  • DID needs to become a workplace of choice, attracting and retaining the best talent and focussed exclusively on meeting the targets of its clients.

The full speech can be obtained here

 

Media enquiries:

Janho Engelbrecht MPL
DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Infrastructure Development

060 556 4343

 

Ina Cilliers MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Infrastructure Development

060 556 4344

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Why did Tshwane appoint disgraced former Phalaborwa official without vetting him?

The City of Tshwane has revealed that it was “unaware” of Aubrey Mushwana’s track record as CFO of the Ba-Phalaborwa local municipality before appointing him in a finance position in its housing and human settlements department.

This is after the DA revealed that Mr. Mushwana resigned before a disciplinary process could be instituted against him in relation to him failing to perform his duties, which resulted in the municipality receiving two disclaimer of opinions from the Auditor-General (AG).

Blessing Manale, spokesperson for Executive Mayor Ramokgopa, is quoted in today’s newspapers saying: “The City regrets the employee did not disclose material information to the panel”. He added that because the disciplinary process had not been concluded by the Ba-Phalaborwa municipality and Mushwana had not been found guilty, this information could only have come to light if he had voluntary disclosed it during the selection process.

While the DA welcomes the fact that Tshwane City Manager Jason Ngobeni has ordered an investigation into the matter, serious questions remain over Mr. Mushwana’s appointment.

Most importantly, while Mr. Mushwana chose not to reveal the disciplinary process that was pending against him, his poor track record as CFO of Ba-Phalaborwa municipality is publicly available.

Under his watch as CFO the municipality received two disclaimers from the AG.

Some of the serious findings made by the AG during his tenure as CFO include:

  • The municipality spending millions of rands on consultants for financial reporting but still receiving a disclaimer
  • Serious weaknesses when it comes to effective leadership in the municipality, proper human resource management and proper policies and procedures being followed;
  • There were also no proper record-keeping, reporting or compliance systems in place in the municipality;
  • During the 2012/2013 financial year, the municipality also spent over R29 million in unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, which was largely as a result of the municipality failing to follow proper procurement processes.

This information has been released publicly by the AG and can be obtained by conducting a simple internet search.

Surely the City of Tshwane should have taken these serious failures into account before deciding to appoint Mr Mushawana in a position where he will be required to manage public funds – in this case the municipality’s housing and human settlements budget totalling just over R670 million for the 2015/16 financial year?

Mr. Mushwana’s appointment raises serious questions over the City of Tshwane’s selection and recruitment processes. How many other officials, with dubious track records in government, have also been appointed and are currently working in the municipality?

Executive Mayor Ramakgopa still needs to provide answers on whether the finance position in the department of housing and human settlements was advertised and in light of Mr. Mushwana’s previous track record, why he was appointed in this position.

The DA is committed to putting an end to the patronage system created by the ANC when it takes over the City of Tshwane in 2016.

We will bring change to Tshwane. Change that ensures competent civil servants are appointed who put the interests of residents first.

Media Enquiries:

Solly Msimanga

DA Tshwane Mayoral Candidate

083 612 0492

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