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March 30, 2017

Bara Hospital Without A CEO For More Than A Year

The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital has operated without a permanent Chief Executive Office (CEO) since January last year, but an appointment process is in place for a new CEO.

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

According to Ramokgopa: “The vacant position of Chief Executive Officer was advertised in the national media with a closing date of 15 December 2016. The department received four applications in this regard and the appointment process is in place.”

She added “no appointment has been finalised.”

It is highly regrettable that this large hospital has suffered without a permanent CEO for so long.

Former Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu is to blame as she removed the previous CEO Dr Sandile Mfenyana without any explanation and dithered in finding a replacement.

I hope that Ramokgopa moves speedily to finalise the appointment of a dynamic and competent CEO to lead this major hospital which treats many thousands of patients.

Media Enquiries

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health

082 333 4222

March 29, 2017

DA Remains Committed To The Fight Against e-Tolls

The Democratic Alliance has noted the default judgement awarded in favour of the South African Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) and continues to encourage motorists to not be pressurised by SANRAL to purchase an e-tag.

Despite claims by SANRAL, this judgement does not set a precedent against motorists who have refused to pay e-Toll fees.

The current judgement was made against a company in liquidation which had chosen not to defend itself in court.

If a case were brought before the courts, where a defendant sought legal counsel, it is probable that a court would not rule in favour of SANRAL.

The DA encourages motorists to join the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), who have offered legal assistance to motorists who may be issued summons by SANRAL.

The DA continues to reject the taxation of the provinces freeways which has had a negative impact on the provincial economy.

Media Enquiries

John Moodey MPL

DA Gauteng Provincial Leader

082 960 3743

Warren Gwilt

DA Economic Cluster Manager

073 601 6144

March 29, 2017

Little Result From R185m Spent On Joburg Hospital

R185 million has been spent in the past four years on maintenance and repairs at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital, but there is little to show for this huge expenditure as the hospital continues to be in poor repair.

Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development Jacob Mamabolo revealed yesterday in an oral reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature yesterday that the following amounts had been spent on maintenance and repair at the hospital:

2013/14 – R18 million
2014/15 – R40 million
2015/16 – R60 million
2016/17 – R67 million

It is difficult to see that this money has been properly spent as the hospital has broken ceilings, leaks in many places and broken air-conditioning.

The total amount of R185 million could have built about five clinics or a small hospital.

I suspect that much of the money was wasted on contractors who were not able to complete the job.

The contractor who was responsible for the collapsed roof at the hospital was clearly incompetent and should never have been chosen to fix water leaks.

There needs to be proper controls and expertise to ensure that all future money is spent effectively to ensure that this hospital is in good condition.

Media Enquiries

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC

082 333 4222

March 28, 2017

Rest In Peace, Uncle Kathy

The Democratic Alliance is saddened by the passing of one of the founding fathers of our nation, Ahmed Kathrada.

His life was dedicated to the struggle for universal suffrage and freedom for all South Africans. After his release from prison, Uncle Kathy continued to lend support for those who were disenfranchised.

The greatest testament to his life will be that he, along with countless others, continued to fight against insurmountable odds so that we could enjoy the freedoms we have today.

Our nation owes you a great debt of gratitude, Uncle Kathy.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kathrada family and loved ones during this very difficult time.

Media Enquiries

John Moodey MPL

DA Gauteng Provincial Leader

082 960 3743

Warren Gwilt

Economic Cluster Manager

073 601 6144

[Image source]

March 28, 2017

Gauteng Health Subsidises 6661 Mental Health Patients In NGOs

The Gauteng Health Department spends R101 million a year subsidizing 6661 mental health patients in NGOs.

This was revealed today by Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa in an oral reply to my questions at a sitting today of the Gauteng Legislature.

Ramokgopa said that there was a process of reviewing compliance with all the licenses of these NGOs.

She clarified that this was separate from the unlicensed NGOs to which the Esidimeni patients were transferred which led to more than 100 deaths.

The figures given by Ramokgopa directly contradict the statement by Premier David Makhura in his State of the Province address that “The Executive Council and I would have never approved a plan to outsource mental health, a primary responsibility of the state to care for the vulnerable in society, to NGOs”.

It is in fact a long-standing policy and practice for the Gauteng Health Department to subsidize mental health patients in NGOs.

This has merit provided the NGOs are properly licensed and monitored, unlike the NGOs where the Esidimeni patients were sent.

Makhura has shown inexcusable ignorance of what the health department is doing with regard to mental health patients, which implicates him further in the lack of oversight that led to deaths of the Esidimeni patients.

Media Enquiries

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC

082 333 4222

March 28, 2017

DA Requests A-G Investigation Into Emfuleni Mayor’s Alleged Money Laundering Scheme

Cooperative Governance MEC, Paul Mashatile, has once again misled the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and the residents of Emfuleni on the Mayor’s involvement with Shakespeare Hotel in Vanderbijl Park.

In the oral question session today, MEC Mashatile said the Emfuleni Local Municipality does not lease three offices in this hotel.

However, according to a first written response signed by the MEC, Emfuleni is leasing three offices. (Click here to view the first response)

In a second written response signed by the MEC a few days later, he denies the existence of the three offices and instead mentions stakeholder engagements that take place at this hotel. (Click here to view second the response)

It is has now become apparent that either the Emfuleni Local Municipality Mayor, Simon Mofokeng, is lying to the MEC or the MEC is shielding the mayor from having to take accountability.

When Simon Mofokeng was the mayor of Sedibeng District Municipality, over R2million was spent at the Shakespeare hotel, and now as mayor of Emfuleni just over R300 000 has been spent to date at the same hotel.

The DA will request the Auditor-General of South Africa to investigate the alleged money laundering in Emfuleni.

Further to this, the DA will request the Office of the Integrity Commissioner in the Provincial Legislature to investigate MEC Mashatile’s misleading remarks in the house.

Media Enquiries

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Emfuleni North

060 558 8299

Yaseen Carelse

DA Social Cluster Manager

076 721 8613

March 27, 2017

R7 Million In 7 Years Allegedly Spent On Upgrading Wattville Hostels

Gauteng Human Settlements MEC, Paul Mashatile, revealed in a reply to a DA question that the Wattville Hostel in Wattville, Ekurhuleni has been refurbished at a cost of R7 million since 2010.

It is alarming that R7 million was spent in 7 years with absolutely nothing to show for it.

Click here to view the response.

The DA visited the Wattville Hostels last week as part of an oversight tour aiming at addressing and highlighting the plight of Gauteng’s most vulnerable residents living in horrific conditions.

According to the reply, plans for refurbishment were placed on hold by the National Department of Human Settlements due to cost escalation.

The Ekurhuleni Metro and the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has failed in championing the basic human rights and dignity of the residents of Wattville.

Click here, here, here, here and here to view the images.

Ekurhuleni Mayor, Mzwandile Masina laid a wreath at the gravesite of the late OR Tambo in remembrance of his selfless service to the people of South Africa in Wattville on Friday, however, he chose to ignore the inhumane living conditions at the Wattville Hostels. OR Tambo would be ashamed.

The ANC have for far too long forgotten the people of South Africa.

The DA will ensure that the living conditions at Wattville Hostels are improved and that the city delivers services to all its residents.

Media Enquiries

Michele Clarke MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Benoni

060 558 8299

Yaseen Carelse

Social Cluster Manager

076 721 8613

March 27, 2017

No Sport Facilities Built For The Poor Over The Past 3 Years

In reply to a DA question, Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) MEC, Faith Mazibuko, revealed that no rugby, cricket and swimming facilities were built over the past three years in previously disadvantaged communities.

It is shocking that despite ANC rhetoric on grassroots sporting development, no facilities were built by the department.

Transformation in sport is always lamented by the ANC yet their administration is doing nothing to develop this.

Young people in poor communities are the ones most affected as their development is stymied and they are left to be influenced by drugs and crime.

Further to this, SACR MEC revealed in another response to the DA that the department has budgeted R3.5 million for the Gauteng Sports Awards.

Last year, the department spent over R10 million on these awards, money that could have been better spent on sport facilities to benefit the poor.

It is disingenuous that the department would splurge money on a lavish event when the bare minimum in poor communities for developing sporting codes have not been met.

The DA will hold MEC Mazibuko accountable on her promise to have two new sport facilities built in Sedibeng and the West Rand in the new financial year.

Click here to view the two replies.

Media Enquiries

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts, Culture and Heritage

060 558 8299

Yaseen Carelse

DA Social Cluster Manager

076 721 8613

March 27, 2017

Gauteng Liquor Board Toothless Without New Licensing Legislation

The Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB) has revealed that it does not have the power to revoke existing liquor licenses, nor does it have the ability to take seriously any objections which are raised as to the renewal of existing licenses without new legislation.

This was revealed to the Gauteng Economic Development Portfolio Committee after the DA had requested that GLB be summoned to appear before the committee to provide an explanation as to why there has been an increasing number of complaints about licensing and the growing number of illegal operators across the province.

The GLB explained to the committee that almost half of all liquor traders in Gauteng do not possess legal liquor licenses, and in some areas – such as Cosmo City, only 1 in 4 premises actually have a license.

The board expressed concern that unless the current Liquor Act is replaced by legislation that has been mooted for a number of years already, the situation will continue to spiral out of control.

Delays in the processing of new applications, fake licenses, and illegal establishments mushrooming across the province will remain the order of the day if Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile continues to wring his hands on the matter.

MEC Maile must expedite the process of ensuring that this legislation be brought before the Gauteng Legislature to resolve these issues, not only to ensure that illegal operators are brought to book, but to ensure that legal businesses can begin to trade sooner rather than later.

Media Enquiries

Janet Semple MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Economic Development

082 462 8239

Warren Gwilt

DA Economic Cluster Manager

073 601 6144

[Image source]