R10 million is needed to fix the abandoned OR Tambo Cultural Precinct, Gauteng residents still not benefitting

The historic OR Tambo Cultural Precinct worth R54 million is still not operational and does not benefit the Gauteng residents as the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) will require R10 million to repair the structural defects.

This neglected historical precinct, which was named after the renowned liberation stalwart, Oliver Reginald Tambo, has been abandoned by the previous ANC-led Ekurhuleni government and SACR since 2018.

This cultural precinct has not been included in the approved organogram which means that there is no human resources capacity allocated to run the facility by the City of Ekurhuleni.

This shocking information was provided by the Gauteng MEC for SACR, Morakane Mosupyoe, in a written reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

This is unacceptable because this department has failed to fix the structural defects at this facility.

Delays in fixing this facility will result in further deterioration of the structure and incur more costs.

The DA demands that MEC Mosupyoe, must engage with the City of Ekurhuleni and prioritize the revival of this monument for the benefit of Gauteng residents.

We will also engage directly with the MEC to review the current organigram so that it includes this cultural precinct and create jobs for the people of Gauteng.

Gauteng Department of Sports blows R1 million on a cheque handover event while women in sports suffer

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng condemns in the strongest terms the irresponsible splurging of R1 million on a one-day cheque handing over event by the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR).

This money could have been used to upgrade township sporting facilities that are in a terrible state and to support local women’s sports teams.

In August, the department hosted a women’s in sports dialogue and the symbolic cheque handover event where it paid MKT IDEA an amount of R988 230.00 to host the event.

This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR), Morakane Moupyoe, in a written reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

Furthermore, 10 local sports teams were invited to participate in the event and zero funds were awarded to these teams to support their positive contribution to sports in their communities.

The DA propose that the cheque handover or women in sports dialogue should be held at the department’s boardroom or at the community centre or halls to save money, instead of wasting money on hiring expensive venues and sound systems.

The DA warns the new MEC of SACR, Morakane Mosupyoe, not to follow in the footsteps of her predecessors of wasting taxpayers’ money on events that do not leave a legacy in our communities but take up the DA’s proposal to reduce overspending on one-day events.

DA calls on MEC Mosupyoe to urgently investigate theft of food for the homeless at Hillbrow homeless shelter

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has written to the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Morakane Mosupyoe requesting an urgent investigation into the allegations of food theft at the homeless shelter situated at number 3 Kotze Street, Hillbrow, Johannesburg.

The DA has been reliably informed that the staff members at this shelter are stealing food meant for homeless people who are housed at this shelter.

It is alleged that on a daily basis, a large amount of food is packed into the vehicles of two of the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) workers at the shelter and removed from the premises as soon as their shifts end.

The photos of the workers allegedly stealing food and loading it into their cars can be seen here  here, here and here

It is a disgrace that the workers are stealing from the poor homeless people who are dependent on this food to survive.

The beneficiaries are not receiving nutritious meals because of the alleged theft of the food by the workers at this shelter.

Furthermore, there are allegations that some of the homeless people housed at this shelter have also been victims of humiliating acts such as being forced to strip down for inspections by the workers without any explanation.

The female beneficiaries have also been victims of harassment and humiliating exercises during an alleged test of their alcohol levels.

It is also alleged that when the management of the shelter is confronted with complaints from the beneficiaries, the complainants are met with violent attacks from some kitchen workers who are also living at the shelter and assisting the staff with the loading of the food into their vehicles.

This shelter is one of the shelters selected by the Gauteng Department of Social Development to temporarily house homeless people during the national lockdown period as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This shelter is funded by the department and managed by SANCA which is in charge of the day-to-day management and the rendering of services which includes the feeding of all beneficiaries at the shelter.

Should it be found that the workers at this shelter are stealing from the poor homeless people they should face the consequences of their actions. The management of this shelter should be held accountable for their workers’ actions as well as the department for its lack of adequate monitoring of the services rendered by this shelter.

Stealing from the poor is a criminal offence hence the perpetrators should be dealt with accordingly.

Liquor outlets operating close to 10 schools in Ward 73 Benoni

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is concerned that there are several liquor outlets operating within 500 metres of 10 schools in Ward 73 Benoni, Ekurhuleni.

This was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi in a written reply to the DA questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

According to the MEC, there are 10 schools that are within 500 metres of liquor outlets in Ward 73 Benoni. He states that his department and the Liquor Board frequently interact regarding the approval of liquor licenses for outlets situated near schools.

This clearly indicates that the Gauteng Liquor Board is contravening Section 30 (3) of the Gauteng Liquor Act 2 of 2003 which states that the Gauteng Liquor Board shall grant an application in the case of premises not situated within a radius of 500 metres in the vicinity of a place of worship and educational institution.

These liquor outlets have a negative impact on learning and teaching at these 10 schools.

The DA calls on the Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Morakane Mosupyoe to ensure that the Gauteng Liquor Board enforces the law and complies in terms of issuing licenses to liquor outlets that are within 500 metres of these educational institutions. We demand that action be taken against those liquor outlets that are contravening Section 30 (3) of the Gauteng Liquor Act 2 of 2003.

We will also be tabling questions to MEC Mosupyoe to ascertain what action will be taken against these liquor outlets and whether they intend to shut them down.