Gauteng Health MEC Refuses To Answer Questions On Psychiatric Patient Deaths

Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu is refusing to answer my questions in the Gauteng Legislature relating to the deaths of psychiatric patients who were discharged earlier this year from Life Healthcare Esidimeni.

She has requested from the Speaker “an indulgence to hold in abeyance the response to the questions … pending the outcome of an internal investigation that the Department has commissioned to consider all relevant factors.”

She also says that she “is cognisant of the current investigation into the same matter by the Health Ombudsman who may also have a direct bearing on the questions.”

Mahlangu has refused to answer two written questions that asked about the breakdown of the deaths at the various NGOs, and also details of the monitoring and funding of the NGOs.

Today she refused to reply to my oral question in the House about assistance provided to relatives for funeral and other costs arising from the deaths.

Speaker Ntombi Mekgwe said that she was considering this issue after she had received an objection by DA Chief Whip Mike Moriarty.

I suspect the real reason Mahlangu is withholding information is that it would implicate herself further in the deaths and severely embarrass the department.

It is unprecedented and unacceptable for a MEC to refuse to answer official questions in the Legislature for such a flimsy reason.

The Speaker should rule that the answers by provided according to the rules in the public interest.

 

 

Media Queries:

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health

082 333 4222

Gauteng ANC Refuses To Publically Denounce President Zuma

ANC Speaker in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Lenteng Mekwge, has shielded her political bosses, Gauteng Premier David Makhura and ANC Provincial Chairman, Paul Mashatile from going on record and distancing themselves from oath-breaker, President Jacob Zuma.

The DA requested that the Legislature debate whether the ANC led Provincial Government distances itself from President Jacob Zuma, who was found guilty of breaking his oath of office by the Constitutional Court.

Residents of Gauteng have been left confused by the utterances of Premier Makhura and Paul Mashatile who have indicated that they are unhappy with the national ANC’s decision to slap Zuma on the wrists and want him to step down as President.

Their comments, and the action taken by Speaker Mekgwe today, indicate that this is nothing but cheap political grandstanding and electioneering, as was the case with the contentious e-toll matter.

Again, the ANC in Gauteng has proven that it is no different from the ANC it pretends it wants to change, but rather it takes its orders from Luthuli House and not from the will of the people.

 

Media enquiries:

John Moodey MPL

DA Gauteng Provincial Leader

082 960 3743

[Image source]

DA Calls For Debate On Matter Of Urgent Public Importance

The Democratic Alliance in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature has written to Speaker, Lenteng Mekgwe, calling for a debate on a matter of urgent public importance in terms of Rule 128 of the House.

Given Gauteng Premier, David Makhura and ANC Gauteng Chairperson, Paul Mashatile’s decision to break ranks with the ANC and publically condemn President Jacob Zuma after the Constitutional Court ruled against him, it is the DA’s view that residents of the province are entitled to know whether the provincial government’s allegiances lie with the president who violated his oath of office, or with the people.

Date: Tuesday, 26 April 2016
Time: 10:00 am
Venue: Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Johannesburg

There will be opportunities for interviews and photographs. Members of the media are welcome to attend.

 

Media enquiries:

Warren Gwilt

DA Communication and Research Manager

060 963 8320

[Image source]

Gauteng Premier Refuses to Participate in Parliament’s Human Rights Day Debate

The DA today wrote to Gauteng Legislature Speaker Lenteng Mekgwe questioning Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s refusal to send a provincial delegation to the joint sitting of Parliament for a debate on Human Rights tomorrow.Moriarty-Mike1-240x300

Apparently, the premier based his decision on cost concerns.

The DA is highly concerned over the Speaker’s support of the Premier’s decision, as Rule 37 of the Rules of Order designates the function of appointing special delegates to the Programming Committee and not the premier.

If the Premier was not available to lead the delegation, then somebody else could have led, especially as there are plenty of important human rights issues in Gauteng, including the matter of xenophobia.

It is foolish to suggest xenophobia was not a factor in the violent looting that occurred recently, as it is without question that the victims were predominantly people from abroad.

The victims too were entitled to human rights, and the riotous behaviour that occurred arose from a mind-set that foreign citizens are a legitimate target.

This can be described in one word: xenophobia. And this is a violation of human rights.

There is an obligation on national government and cabinet ministers to address this matter with all due seriousness, especially those of International Relations and Home Affairs.

And while national government dithers, Gauteng citizens bear the brunt.

Premier Makhura and the provincial government must do everything possible to prevent national government action or inaction from prejudicing the rights of Gauteng’s people.

Clearly premier Makhura is not prepared to challenge his national counterparts in an appropriate forum such as the National Council of Provinces.

By not debating on Thursday this province is missing an opportunity to hold national government to account for its failure to safeguard the rights of people in Gauteng.

This clearly shows that the ANC in Gauteng is not willing to fully defend our citizens in the face of their national colleagues: not on xenophobia and not on e-tolls.

To this end, the DA requested the Speaker to make the necessary arrangements to have this matter discussed in the Programming Committee and to obtain guidance from the Legislature’s legal advisors.

 

Media enquiries:

Mike Moriarty MPL

DA Chief Whip in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature

082 492 4410

[Image source]