Gauteng Premier David Makhura
The DA will put questions to Gauteng Premier David Makhura demanding he explain why the Gauteng provincial government has almost doubled its legal expenses for the 2015/16 financial year.
A consolidation of all provincial government departments’ annual reports shows that legal fees have skyrocketed from R469 million in 2014/15 to R881 million in 2015/16.
The biggest spender is the Department of Health, whose legal costs increased from R238 million to R569 million.
This could only be as a result of increased medical negligence claims against the department and its callous MEC, Qedani Mahlangu.
Austerity Measures
The Department of Education spent R42 million on legal fees and services (up from R27-million), while the infrastructure development department incurred R46 million.
Excessive legal claims and legal fees are a natural consequence of an uncaring and inefficient government that forces citizens and suppliers to take legal action.
As a result Gauteng’s most vulnerable, the poor and unemployed, are being penalised by delayed service delivery due to budgetary constraints.
Premier David Makhura and his ANC government has spent millions advertising clean audits in Gauteng on expensive billboards, but the fact is that it’s a smokescreen to cover up the reality that the provincial government is still not delivering.
It is clear that Gauteng is on the wrong track as it is meant to carry out austerity measures to ensure that people receive the services they deserve.
Media enquiries:
Mike Moriarty MPL
DA Chief Whip in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature
082 492 4410