No maintenance or upgrades for sport facilities in Gauteng in 2017

No sporting, arts, heritage and library facilities in Gauteng will receive any maintenance or upgrades during the 2017/18 financial year. This is according to the Budget Estimates for Capital Expenditure by provincial Treasury.

Not only were there no sporting facilities for rugby, cricket and swimming built over the past three years in previously disadvantaged communities, but existing infrastructure was also not maintained.

It is alarming that despite the deterioration of the province’s recreational facilities, no budget was made available to maintain or upgrade crumbling infrastructure.

The MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Faith Mazibuko, must explain this bizarre removal of the budget for maintenance.

These facilities play a vital role in society in ensuring that young people in poor communities are not left alone to be influenced by drugs and crime. The promise of soccer fields, astro turfs and many others have fallen flat.

It seems as if MEC Mazibuko is now sitting on her hands in trying not to lobby provincial Treasury for more funds to be allocated to the maintenance, upgrade or repairs needed at many facilities across the province.

If millions can be spent by the department on lavish sporting awards, why can we not get the basics right first?

It is disingenuous that the department would not focus on the maintenance, repairs and the building of more facilities for the poor.

The DA will hold MEC Mazibuko accountable as she is set to debate the departmental budget during the budget vote speeches later next month in the legislature.

Media Enquiries

Kingsol Chabalala MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts, Culture and Heritage
060 558 8299

Yaseen Carelse
Media Specialist
076 721 8613

MEC reveals Gauteng hospitals are unsafe

 

All Gauteng health facilities inspected by the Department of Labour for bio-hazard and other safety issues in the last three years have failed to meet the required standard.

 

This is revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

 

According to Ramokgopa, the Department of Labour has conducted various audits, inspections and investigations covering hazardous biological agents, construction compliance, noise measurements and occupational hazards.

 

She says: “All the audited facilities received either a non-compliance finding, such as a contravention and/or improvement compliance notice”.

 

The following health facilities were inspected and found to be non-compliant on various measures:

 

Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
Helen Joseph Hospital
George Mukhari Hospital
Pretoria West Hospital
Sebokeng Hospital
Hillbrow Community Health Centre
Odi, Temba and Cullinan Emergency Management Services (EMS)

 

Ramokgopa attributes the failures to “old poor buildings, infrastructure and equipment” and also “ever-increasing patients load, re-emerging of infectious diseases, burden of HIV and TB and general overload in our facilities.”

 

I am appalled that not a single hospital in Gauteng was compliant in the critical area of worker and patient safety.
The hospitals that have not been inspected are also probably non-compliant in large measure.

 

It is very worrying because hazardous biological agents are infectious and toxic. They cause allergic reactions such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis‚ allergic rhinitis‚ some types of asthma and organic dust toxic syndrome.

 

Non-compliance with safety standards increases the risk of health workers and patients becoming infected.

 

The huge maintenance backlog leads to contraventions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that increases risks such as the recent roof collapse at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital.

 

I hope that the inspections are a wake-up call to the department to drastically improve safety conditions in our hospitals and clinics.

 

The goal must be strict compliance with all safety standards.

Media Enquiries

Jack Bloom MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC
082 333 4222

 

[Image Source: http://bit.ly/2o8K7MN]

Gauteng’s roads falling into a state of disrepair

 

Media reports on the poor condition of 48% of Johannesburg roads are cause for grave concern and this highlights how the previous ANC administration’s lack of routine maintenance gave rise to the serious deterioration of our roads.

 

However, Johannesburg is not alone. Roads in ANC municipalities, such as Ekurhuleni, are in even worse condition as routine maintenance is extremely poor.

 

Provincial roads are also not immune from a lack of maintenance. Decreasing budgets to the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport – especially on road construction and maintenance require either the movement of funds within various programmes of the Department or the cancelling of upgrades and new roads.

 

What is even more concerning is the lack of routine maintenance planning with decisions to upgrade based on areas of the greatest exigency rather than a logical, systematic plan.

 

To stop the total degradation of our road network it is essential that planned maintenance is reintroduced, as has been done in the DA cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane.

 

Mayor Herman Mashaba has recently announced an additional R88 million for pothole repairs for this year, and has placed road repair staff on overtime to get the repairs done as soon as possible. Mayor Mashaba has also proposed an extra R25 million for tarring roads in Orange Farm, R21 million to Diepsloot and another R25 million to Ivory Park in the new 2017/2018 budget. These will go a long way to redressing the terrible roads left by the former ANC government in Johannesburg.

 

This shows the DA is leading the way and this commitment must be replicated on a provincial level and in all ANC-run municipalities as a matter of urgency.

Media Enquiries

Dr Neil Campbell MPL
DA Spokesperson on Roads and Transport
082 387 2540

Warren Gwilt
Media Manager
073 601 6144

Gauteng short of 39 clinics

 

Thirty-nine new clinics need to be built in Gauteng in order to cover the health needs of an expanding population.

 

This is revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

 

According to Ramokgopa, there are currently 369 clinics in Gauteng, of which 340 are “adequately utilised”.

 

She says that 29 clinics serve too few patients as they are “situated in an effectual elite area where most of the population are insured”.

 

Inadequately utilised clinics that are identified include the following:

 

Johannesburg – Randburg, Sandton, Malvern, Kensington and Crown Gardens.
Tshwane – Rayton, De Wagensdrift, Pretorius Park, Silverton, Skinner Street,
Eldoraigne and Onverwacht.
Ekurhuleni – Reedville, Bonaero Park, Olifantsfontein, Alra Park, Reedville and Crystal Park.
West Rand – Noordheuvel, Itumeleng, Elandsfontein, Venterpost and Deelkraal.
Sedibeng – Driehoek, Beverley Hills, Rensburg and Market Avenue.

 

I disagree that many of the above clinics are underutilised. Not all of them are in affluent areas and there are also many people in the richer suburbs who are dependent on state healthcare, such as domestic workers.

 

Furthermore, many of the 340 clinics that Ramokgopa says are “adequately utilised” are overcrowded with inadequate facilities and staff to serve the patients.

 

Primary health care is a provincial competence that the Gauteng Health Department has delegated in many instances to local authorities who are hard-pressed to run these clinics using ratepayer money.

 

I am concerned that the department spent R1.926 billion in 2016/17 on clinics, which is a tiny increase on the R1.925 billion spent the previous year.

 

Municipalities need more financial assistance from the province to run their clinics, and the 39 more clinics that are needed should be built in good time.

Media Enquiries

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

DA condemns ANC’s violent attack at Joburg IDP meeting

 

Members of the ANC violently attacked a meeting about the Joburg Integrated Development Plan (IDP) which was held at Midrand High School last night. The DA condemns the incident in the strongest terms and calls on the ANC leadership to call its members to order. The DA also encourages the City of Johannesburg to lay criminal charges against the culprits.

 

Paul Mashatile must immediately act against the ANC members who arrived with bricks and weapons to attack those who attended the meeting. This is nothing short of an attack on democracy in action.

 

The ANC has no right to prevent the people of Joburg from attending public meetings, where they are consulted about the City’s development planning. The ANC has been voted out of office and must allow the business of government to continue.

 

Photographs taken at the scene reveal bloodied floors and displaced furniture. The DA has been informed that the disruption was premeditated. It is unacceptable that people who want to improve the state of Johannesburg are subject to violent attack. It seems as though the ANC is doing all it can to derail the work of the City of Joburg.

 

The ANC must come to terms with the reality that it failed to govern adequately in the City of Johannesburg and that the people have spoken. The DA will not be deterred by violence and thuggery. We will continue to make every effort to make progress in Joburg. We will also continue to do so in a manner that is inclusive and open.

Media Enquiries

John Moodey MPL
DA Gauteng Leader
082 960 3743

Anneke Scheepers
DA Gauteng Communications Manager
079 511 7501

DA challenges Emfuleni Mayor to public debate on service delivery

 

The DA challenges Executive Mayor of Emfuleni, Simon Mofokeng, to a public debate on service delivery and corruption within the municipality.

 

This comes as Mayor Mofokeng’s remarks on a local radio station stating that he is paranoid and is living in fear as the DA continues to pursue action against him for alleged money laundering and dodgy business deals.

 

If Mayor Mofokeng is so paranoid, he should open a case at the local SAPS in order to protect himself.

His paranoia is indicative of the fact that he has something to hide.

 

His remarks to the media on my pursuance of accountability in the municipality shows that Mayor Mofokeng is trying to deflect attention away from his business deals and alleged corruption.

 

The DA has requested both Cooperative Governance MEC, Paul Mashatile and the Auditor General of South Africa to launch an investigation into the alleged money laundering by the Mayor.

 

If Mayor Mofokeng has nothing to hide, he should accept my offer to debate relevant issues that affect residents of Emfuleni on a daily basis.

 

Mayor Mofokeng should not be cowardly and opt-out as he has done on so on many occasions when challenged to a debate.

 

Emfuleni residents have had enough of corruption and the looting of public money. It is high time that all dodgy officials and elected representatives are held to account.

Media Enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL
DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Emfuleni North
060 558 8299
Yaseen Carelse
Media and Issues Specialist
076 721 8613

The people are speaking: Jacob Zuma must go

Today’s National Day of Action is a statement of unity and intent, across political lines. South Africa is resolute and united that Jacob Zuma cannot continue on as our President.

 
South Africans from all walks of life, all religions, all creeds, all races are here today united in a common cause. This a movement of the people and this is an expression of the People’s Power.

 

This march comes just 5 days after tens of thousands of South Africans came out last Friday to march through the major cities of our country. Our movement against Jacob Zuma grows ever-stronger daily.

 

We are here because we love South Africa, to save South Africa from the kleptocracy that is the hallmark of President Jacob Zuma’s leadership.

 

No more shall we tolerate the abuse of power, the disregard for the rule of law and the repeated violations of the constitution.

 

No more shall we tolerate the capture of our state by the Zuma and the Gupta families.

 

No more shall we tolerate the stealing of our money, like at Nkandla, to enrich one man.

 

We have witnessed outright corruption and theft.

 

We have seen the connected few get rich, while everyone else gets poorer.

 

And now our country has been downgraded to “Junk Status” because of Zuma’s recklessness.

 

Tragically the poorest in our society will bear the real brunt of “junk status”

 

But it is Zuma who is the “Junk Status” of our nation.

 

Our country and our people are strong, our President is weak and “Junk”.

 

He has broken down our institutions, undermined Parliament, captured the prosecution service, weakened Police leadership – all to avoid accountability.

 

He has bankrupted our state companies, caused millions to lose their jobs, and is set to bankrupt our nation with a nuclear deal we can’t afford.

 

And now, in the face of all he has done wrong, Zuma wants to point the finger at those who bravely protest against him.

 

But we will not be divided, and we will not allow Zuma to dictate our motives.

 

We are a diverse movement of people who care about the future of our country. Do not paint us as anything but patriots, Mr President!

 

The ANC has tried to intimidate and threaten these marches, but they have not succeeded.

 

The ANC has threatened our peaceful marches and gatherings with violence, and the ANC has attacked and assaulted marchers. But we are undeterred by the ANC thuggery to protect Jacob Zuma.

 

Today’s march shows that threats of arrest or attack cannot stop a movement of people committed to bringing down a broken President.

Today’s march is not a once-off, but it continues as our rolling mass action gains momentum around the country. We invite more and more South Africans to continue to join us in this cause.

 

This march will symbolically continue on to Parliament when the National Assembly will vote in a Motion of No Confidence in Jacob Zuma.

 

Parliament hired Jacob Zuma, and now Parliament must fire Jacob Zuma. And only the ANC is standing in the way of Parliament firing Jacob Zuma.

 

After the 2016 Elections where the ANC suffered stunning defeats, and it began speaking about “humbling itself and listening”, it has the chance now to humble itself and listen. The people are speaking: Jacob Zuma must go.

 

When the day comes for the vote of no confidence in the National Assembly, every ANC Member of Parliament can and must vote with their conscience to remove Jacob Zuma.

 

It is time that our country and its beautiful people stop Jacob Zuma and his cronies from looting any more. NO more, we say, no more!

 

The people are speaking: Jacob Zuma must go.

Media Enquiries

John Moodey MPL
DA Gauteng Provincial Leader
082 960 3743

Yaseen Carelse
Media and Issues Specialist
076 721 8613

Thuggery cannot be tolerated in a democratic South Africa

 

The attack on DA member, Kade Guerreriro, by members of the ANC in the Johannesburg CBD after the DA’s March for Change, was an act of cowardice.  Mob violence has no place in a democratic South Africa.

 

The ANC must take action against the members responsible for meting out violence against Guerreriro who sustained serious head injuries while making his way to his car after the march.

 

Contrary to media reports, Guerreriro was not provoking ANC members, he was simply heading home.

 

South Africa is a free and democratic country, where the right to political affiliation is enshrined in the Constitution.

 

The Johannesburg CBD was brought to a standstill on Friday as ANC members ascended on the city in an attempt to intimidate peaceful protesters.

 

The ANC has once again proven that they have little regard for the Constitution or the rule of law.

 

Today, myself and DA Ekurhuleni Ward 36 Councillor, Wendy Morgan have accompanied Kade Guerreriro to the Johannesburg Central Police Station to lay a charge of assault.

 

The DA will not be deterred by thuggery whilst holding President Jacob Zuma and this ANC-led government to account.

Media Enquiries

Paul Willemburg MPL
DA Constituency Head: Germiston
082 450 0815

Warren Gwilt
DA Economic Cluster Manager
073 601 6144

Gauteng Health delays R25m negligence payment

 

The Gauteng Health Department is delaying payment of R25.4 million ordered by the High Court for medical negligence that led to a baby being born with brain damage.

 

Five-year-old Adivhaho Mukwevho suffers from severe cerebral palsy due to failure by the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital to do an emergency caesarean operation when she was born in December 2011.

 

She has a reduced life expectancy of only 23 more years and is in need of urgent medical and paramedical treatment.

 

On 8 February this year the court ordered R25.4 million payment as compensation to her mother, the money to be paid by 8 March 2017.

 

The Sheriff of the Court visited the head office of the Department on 31 March, but held off collecting furniture as promises were made that the money would be paid.

 

But the Department has still not paid, despite a daily penalty interest of R7139 per day, which now amounts to a total extra cost of about R500 000.

 

It is shameful that the Department defies the court and the Sheriff is likely to be back soon to possess assets.

 

The Department needs a proper litigation strategy to deal with the avalanche of medical negligence cases, and should pay promptly when ordered by the court.

 

It should also give a higher priority to improving the quality of health care so that there are fewer patients harmed by medical mistakes.

Media Enquiries:

Jack Bloom MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC
082 333 4222

MECs Creecy and Maile must move quickly to protect Gauteng economy from Zuma

 

As the two MECs charged with managing the economy of Gauteng, attracting investment and ensuring prudent financial management, Finance MEC Barbara Creecy and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile have to move quickly to protect the Gauteng economy from Zuma’s grand economic mismanagement.

 

Gauteng is the fourth largest economy on the African economy and the economic hub of the country, and therefore is the driving force of growth and investment into the country. So far, the ANC Gauteng government has been silent on the developments that have rocked the South African economy at large.

 

Specifically, the DA expects that the MECs would have urgently met with major institutional investors whose future job-creating investment activities may be on hold as a result of the downgrade, and devised a strategy to attract new investment into Gauteng despite our economic woes. None of this seems to have occurred.

 

The DA challenges both MEC Creecy and MEC Maile to use the MinMEC forum to voice their concerns about the actions of the Zuma-led government and to move swiftly and strategically to protect Gauteng from job losses and divestment.

 

The DA will be tabling questions to hold the provincial government accountable for its lack of response to this crisis, and ensure that steps are taken to shield the people of Gauteng, particularly the poor and marginalized, from Zuma’s economic terrorism.

Media Enquiries:

Ashor Sarupen MPL
DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Finance
060 558 8303

Warren Gwilt
DA Economic Cluster Manager
073 601 6144