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DA Debates Office Of The Premier 2015/16 Annual Report

Speech by: John Moodey MPL

“Captain Makhura denies ship Gauteng is sinking”

  • Loyalty to a once dignified and respected organisation, when it was under the able leadership of Honoured Leaders such as OR Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Nkosi Albert Luthuli, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, blinds the Gauteng ANC from the rot within; rot that is not only bringing ruin within its ranks, but is ruining the future of our youth and our nation as a whole.
  • The so-called open-tender system is not so open at all, leaving many small businesses without opportunities. By and large black owned businesses remain marginalised and excluded, unless of course you are politically connected.
  • The truth is that health care in this province is deteriorating. Case in point is the MEC of Health. A constantly deployed cadre that is not fit to head up this portfolio. Under her watch no less than 37 mentally ill people have died due to her negligence.
  • Civil society organisations in the province scramble looking for funding, when the MEC you’ve appointed for Social Development cannot even provide us with a list of who and where the vulnerable are.
  • In your State of the Province Address this year, you rightly acknowledged that the cost of e-tolls were too high and that this is the reason why people were not paying them. However, with residents being threatened with legal action – because they simply refuse to be subjected to an unjust and unaffordable tax, you are quiet on the matter.
  • Take heed of our constructive criticism, for your truth and the legacy you wish to leave behind, honourable Premier, should not be the story of the ANC.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

Speech by: Jack Bloom MPL

“Makhura’s inaction is shameful”

  • As I said earlier this year in the State of the Province debate, Planet Makhura cannot escape the gravity of Planet Zuma. We know that the Honourable Premier is doing his level best to distance this province from the shenanigans of President Zuma.
  • We all know that there have been 37 confirmed deaths of psychiatric patients in a very short period after they were sent to unsuitable NGOs after the Health Department’s cancellation of the contract with Life Healthcare Esidimeni. I have called for Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu to resign or be fired, and so have many others.
  • The chairperson of the family committee Andrew Peterson has said “the department has got blood on its hand and someone should be held accountable”.
  • It is very sad that few politicians in our country do the honourable thing and resign when wrongdoing is uncovered.
  • I am sorry to say that you have missed what could have been a defining moment of your premiership where you could have showed that your provincial government really does care and really does listen.

The full speech can be obtained here

 

 

Media enquiries:

John Moodey

DA Gauteng Leader 

082 960 3743

 

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health

082 333 4222

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Gauteng Doubles Spend On Legal Services

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

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E-Tolls: With Prosecutions Looming, Where Is Premier Makhura?

Premier Makhura’s Electioneering Gimmick

With the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) now threatening to prosecute thousands of Gauteng motorists, it has never been a more important time for Premier David Makhura to act on his word, to be the champion of the people and stand up to his political masters in Luthuli House.

In his State of the Province Address, the Premier rightly acknowledged that the cost of e-tolls were too high and that this is why people were not paying them.

He was backed by Gauteng ANC Provincial Chairman, Paul Mashatile, who reiterated that something needed to be done to alleviate the heavy burden of e-tolls.

But now, with residents being threatened with legal action – because they simply refuse to be subjected to an unjust and unaffordable burden, where is Premier Makhura?

Did Makhura really listen to the people’s cries? Or was this a simple and hollow electioneering gimmick – because he knew his hands were already tied?

OUTA

It is too late to talk of a “new” strategy on e-Tolls when Luthuli House has already decided its plan of action.

While the DA will continue to fight against e-tolls we strongly urge all residents of Gauteng to join forces with the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA).

We believe that OUTA have made a tremendous contribution to the civic discourse on e-tolls, and we offer them our support whenever they need it.

The pertinent question remains however, in this hour of need, where is Premier Makhura?

 

Media enquiries:

John Moodey MPL

DA Gauteng Provincial Leader

082 960 3743

[Image source]