NW Premier Mokgoro’s ’embarrassment’ at ANC’s governance failures just not good enough, he must act

Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English and Afrikaans by DA North West Leader, Joe McGluwa 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West notes Premier Job Mokoro’s supposed “embarrassment” over the poor track record of service delivery and the rampant of fraud and corruption of the ANC at provincial and local government in the province.

However, in these times, under these circumstances of economic decline, rising unemployment and a collapse in governance and provincial and local government that the ANC leads, being embarrassed is just not good enough.

Earlier this week, Premier Mokgoro attended a virtual meeting with chairpersons of committees in the North West Legislature, who briefed him on the state of collapse in governance, as well as highlighting instances of fraud, corruption and abuse of power by MECs and government officials. This meeting was, for all intents and purposes, nothing more than an elevated ANC branch talk-shop.

For years now, the DA has consistently highlighted issues of fraud, corruption, abuse of power and poor service delivery in North West, at the hands of ANC comrades. Premier Mokgoro has never expressed any embarrassment before.

We have for years called for consequence management against politicians and officials who compromise the integrity of government, yet Premier Mokgoro did nothing. We maintain that Premier Mokgoro is nothing but a caretaker Premier while various ANC factions squabble for power over the scraps left to loot in government. A caretaker Premier allowing his cadres in government to go about their business of self-enrichment at the expense of the people.

What is needed to stop corruption and ensure service delivery that put people first in North West is decisive and accountable leadership. Sadly, since Premier Mokgoro’s first election in June 2018, and having himself reelected following the 2019 elections last year, things have just gotten worse for the people of North West.

More money has been looted, more people have lost their jobs, fewer people have access to water, electricity and decent housing. Hospitals and clinics are dysfunctional, understaffed, poorly equipped, placing a huge avoidable burden on health workers who try to treat patients the best way they can.

To date, not a single performance agreement has been signed between Premier Mokgoro and his MECs. Nonetheless, we are sure that even if these were signed, it would not be worth the paper it is written on. Accountable leadership in the ANC is non-existent, and we see it play out in government, with disastrous consequences.

Premier Mokgoro, cannot be embarrassed that his fellow comrades in government submit a travel claim of more than R1 million. He cannot be embarrassed that 70% of a project budget is spent on logistics leaving on 30% for services.

He cannot be embarrassed by the rampant fraud, corruption, financial mismanagement and abuse of power in his government, because he is the one who is supposed to lead by example. He cannot be embarrassed because 10 of the provincial government departments are under Section 100 administration.

No, Premier Mokgoro, the people of North West do not need your embarrassment. They need decisive action.

Madibeng squanders ratepayers’ money on cookware, clothing, and DSTV

Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English and in Setswana by Freddy Sonakile the DA North West Spokesperson on Provincial Public Accounts

The Auditor-General’s (AG) report presented to the North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) this week revealed that the Madibeng Local Municipality shamelessly squandered public funds on items such as AMC Cookware, DSTV and clothing accounts.

The unprecedented misuse of public funds by this entity can no longer be ignored. The DA will continue to apply pressure to ensure that the exact amounts and names of individuals involved are disclosed for criminal charges to be laid with the SAPS.

The 2018/19 AG report further indicated a disclaimed audit opinion for the fourth consecutive year.

In addition to paying its finance staff complement a monthly salary, R35 million was spent on financial consultants and yet no progress towards improved audit outcomes have been forthcoming.

Despite multiple Section 139-interventions by the Provincial Government and various investigations into the bankrupt state of this entity, the Municipality continues to wallow in the mud of maladministration, corruption and poor service delivery.

The Municipality failed to disclose the R1 billion loan owed to Public Investment Corporation (PIC) in its financial statements. Only after a court judgment, the debt with interest accumulating over decades was acknowledged. The Municipality is yet to stipulate what the loan was spent on and what the repayment plan is.

The people of Madibeng deserve more than talk shops and inaction. Drastic steps towards consequence management, which ought to include the dismissal of accounting officers, is needed to restore services to the community.

All DA-governed municipalities received clean or unqualified audits and the recent motion of no confidence in Mark Willemse, the former Mayor of the DA-led Knysna Local municipality over poor governance, reaffirms the DA’s stance on clean governance and consequence management.

DA rejects 4 to 6% salary increases in Rustenburg Local Municipality – funds should be redirected to social relief programmes

Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English by DA Councillor Nelio Nhacuangue

On Tuesday 28 July 2020, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Rustenburg Local Municipality rejected the proposed 4% salary increases for councillors and a 6.1% increase for senior municipal managers. The money should be redirected towards social relief efforts to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and improve services for the people of Rustenburg.

The proposal for the salary increases was adopted by the ANC during a virtual council meeting with support from the EFF and Forum For Service Delivery. The Freedom Front abstained from adding their inputs on the deliberations.

The DA is the only party that rejected the salary increases in support of redirecting the funds towards providing social relief to the residents of Rustenburg.

The municipality has incurred a revenue loss as residents and businesses are unable to pay their rates and municipal services bills.

The ANC led Rustenburg Local Municipality have displayed an image of an uncaring government which only looks after its own needs, this decision by council displays yet another missed opportunity by the ANC-led municipality to put the needs of residents above their own.

Many people are struggling to sustain themselves due to the economic effects brought by years of ANC corruption, poor policy decisions and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DA will continue to prioritise the lives and livelihoods of residents by proposing social relief plans to council to help residents get through this pandemic. We will play our oversight role in council to ensure that no money is misappropriated and that residents receive basic services.

Residents experience constant electricity outages as Rustenburg Municipality fails to resolve overtime payment disputes

by: Councillor Ilse Edwards, DA Councillor: Rustenburg Local Municipality

The Rustenburg Local Municipality Electricity department has been on strike and refusing to work overtime shifts after they didn’t receive their overtime payments this month. This has slowed their response to fixing electricity outages that happen after hours.

For months residents in the Waterfall East, Waterkloof and rural areas on the R24 have experienced constant power outages which lasts for extended periods of time as it takes the municipality days to send a team to fix the power failures.

This is despite the DA reporting and escalating the issue to the Electrical Department, the Director of Infrastructure, the Municipal Manager and the Mayor.

The lack of maintenance to the grid as required by the licensing agreement between Rustenburg Local Municipality and Eskom has largely contributed to the power outages and illegal connections which burden the electricity department.

Last week Saturday residents of Waterfall East finally took to the streets protesting after going three days without electricity.

The extended power outages commonly occur over weekends costing residents thousands of Rands as their foods expire and the added expense of buying fuel to use generators.

Residents living in rural areas cannot pump water as the water system is reliant on electricity. Residents also become easy targets for criminal activities as their security systems get turned off in the electricity outages.  

The DA has engaged with the Municipal Manager (MM), Victor Makona, requesting him to resolve the ongoing overtime salary disputes. The MM must also deal with the abuse of overtime shifts where some workers do not respond to emergencies and wait for overtime hours to resolve electrical issues.

Residents and DA councillors have suggested that essential services employees work 3 shifts a day instead of relying on overtime to address power failures, burst water pipes and sewerage overflows. The overtime budget can be used to compensate employees working the afternoon and evening shifts by paying them a shift allowance.

It is unacceptable for municipal officials and employees to hold an entire town hostage by subjecting ratepaying residents to extended power outages because they are unable to resolve their internal overtime disputes.

Media Enquiries:

Cllr Ilse Edwards

DA Councillor: Rustenburg Local Municipality

064 755 1009

Idah Satikhe

DA North West Communications Officer

079 700 5382

ANC infighting and factionalism turns violent as four cars get torched at Naledi Municipality

Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English and Afrikaans by Councillor Hendriette Van Huyssteen

On Monday, the ANC’s infighting and factional battles led to the torching of at least four cars and a violent altercation at the Naledi Local Municipal offices. Please see photos here, here, here and here

The Democratic Alliance (DA) released a statement stating that ANC factions were at war with one another over their preferred candidate which was delaying the appointment of a new Municipal Manager.

It is alleged that one faction of the ANC torched a car belonging to one of the shortlisted candidates for the Municipal Manager position.

There was also violence and fighting outside the municipal offices where people were beating each other with sjamboks and throwing stones at each other. Two cars were torched outside the municipal building of which one belonged to a councillor.

The ANC’s factional battles are getting out of control and endangering the lives of municipal workers and the residents of Naledi.

The DA will engage with the local SAPS requesting them to immediately increase patrols to ensure that there is no further violence and damage to property.

The DA condemns the ANC’s use of violence and destruction of property to resolve political disputes. This infighting does not serve the interests of the community.

The people of Naledi continue to be without basic service delivery such as sanitation, consistent electricity supply, proper roads and infrastructure.

The ANC lacks the political will to restore the municipality’s deteriorating finances and improve service delivery, instead, they are fighting for positions and their selfish interests.

It is time for a change of government, the DA is the only party that can bring change that will speed up service delivery and restore good governance.

DA North West embraces virtual platforms to ensure our important work continues

Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Joe McGluwa, DA North West Provincial Leader

The Democratic Alliance in North West has successfully adapted to the ‘new normal’. We have embraced digital and virtual mechanisms to ensure that we continue to serve the people of North West.

With the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic and the extended lockdown we have all been subjected to, it was imperative for the DA in North West to adapt to a fast-changing environment.

Despite the challenges and limitations brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, our party political, legislative and constituency work has continued.

We have remarkably improved on our direct communication networks with ordinary residents. Our Covid-19 digital communication campaign has been well received throughout the province while we have consistently addressed service delivery concerns.

Over the last three months, we have conducted several Provincial Executive Committee Meetings. The DA has engaged with all North West municipal caucuses on their respective municipal budgets for the 2020/21 financial year, in which several adjustments have been proposed in every municipality to benefit residents during this difficult time of economic stagnation and decline. Our proposals to assist residents included a zero increase in municipal rates and taxes, zero increases for politicians and officials, and most importantly, redirecting funds to assist residents who have lost their jobs or experienced salary reductions with their outstanding municipal accounts.

Weekly digital engagements with the North West Legislature Caucus have continued uninterrupted and the good work of our Members around the adjustment budget and the provincial government’s poor response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been impactful.

The DA also conducted its first virtual selection process for aspirant candidates to fill vacant council seats. The selection process for the vacant Ward 5 JB Marks Local Municipality was finalised last week, and we will shortly conclude the process for Ward 29 Madibeng Local Municipality.

In addition, we have conducted virtual interviews for the recruitment of professional staff as part of the organisational restructuring which nears its conclusion.

DA branches across North West will now conduct its annual general meetings on virtual platforms during the month of August in preparation for the upcoming federal congress in October 2020.

This morning, during the meeting of the Provincial Executive Council, unanimous support was extended to move towards a virtual provincial congress tentatively scheduled for January 2021.

Innovation and the use of technology will become vital in a fast changing political and business environment. The DA has shown it’s agility to adapt to the new normal, and we are excited for what we can achieve in the near future.

ANC factionalism in Naledi Local Municipality delays appointment of Municipal Manager

by: Councillor Hendriette Van Huyssteen, DA Councillor: Naledi Local Municipality

ANC factions at war with one another over their preferred candidate in the Naledi Local Municipality are delaying the appointment of a new Municipal Manager.

The recruitment process for the position Municipal Manager has been concluded and needs only Council’s approval to proceed with the appointment of the preferred candidate.

The ANC Caucus basically collapsed the ordinary functioning of Council.

A special virtual Council meeting was scheduled for 17 July 2020 to appoint the Municipal Manager, but Speaker Councillor Clifton Groep postponed the meeting to 22 July 2020, due to safety concerns, so that arrangements could be made with the SAPS.

Some ANC and EFF councillors refused to attend the virtual meeting on the 22 July 2020. With 11 Councillors in attendance, the meeting was collapsed after an ANC Councillor left the proceedings leaving the meeting inquorate.

Last Friday, another attempt at a Council meeting also collapsed as ANC infighting escalated and there were threats of violence made in the municipal chambers.

The ANC factions are holding Council hostage to force the municipality to be placed under Section 139 (1)(c) administration which would result in its dissolution and force new elections.

The DA in Naledi has requested our Provincial Spokesperson on COGHSTA, Freddy Sonakile MPL, to write to the Acting MEC for Cooperative Governance, Boitumelo Moiloa, requesting her to intervene following three failed council meetings set to appoint a new Municipal Manager.

We will also request the Speaker to pursue disciplinary charges against ANC councillors who fail to attend council meetings without a valid reason and those who continue to disrupt proceedings.

For years, Naledi Local Municipality has been plagued by mismanagement and corruption which has compromised the municipality’s ability to deliver basic services. The appointment of a skilled Municipal Manager will be the first step towards restoring service delivery.

Media Enquiries:
Councillor Hendriette Van Huyssteen
DA Councillor: Naledi Local Municipality
071 361 4220

Idah Satikhe
DA North West Communications Officer
079 700 5382

NW’s planned 500-bed field hospital remains an empty plot

Note to Editors: Find attached soundbites in English and Setswana by DA North West Member of Health Portfolio Committee, Freddy Sonakile.

In his recent response to a parliamentary question posed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) on field hospitals, the Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize, confirmed that the 200-bed field hospital designated to the Bojanala district, was close to completion.

The Minister, however, failed to report on the progress of the additional 500-bed field hospital that was embarked on in May 2020 already.

The North West Department of Health’s inability to steer the province through untold turbulent times, coupled with the sudden surge in Covid-19 infections, necessitated an urgent oversight inspection.

After nearly two months, the allocated land situated at Job Shimankane Tabane Hospital in Rustenburg, remains empty. Councillor Luan Snyders visited the site. (See pictures here and here)

The DA will write to MEC Sambatha to request feedback on the state of affairs. The MEC should provide reasons for the delay and also supply the timeframe in which this hospital will be completed.

In a media statement released earlier this month, the MEC cautioned about the “sharp increase in the number of positive cases and also deaths.”

The latest situational report reveals that there are currently more than 11 891 confirmed cases in the province, 2 694 recoveries and 48 deaths. Rustenburg alone recorded 6 353 cases, with 4 792 active cases.

Despite the earlier projections that the province was to reach the infection peak period around this time, the Department missed an opportunity to prepare the required number of beds in anticipation of the surge in infections.

With the current infection rate, the 435 standard beds, 33 high care beds and 55 ICU beds will simply not suffice.

With an impending crisis of this magnitude, it is unthinkable that the completion of the field hospital is not prioritised.

The lockdown was intended to give Government time to prepare for the inevitable surge in infections and the delay conveys a message of utter contempt to every resident that lost their jobs in this time. Now, by admission of President Ramaphosa, we are in the eye of the storm and the time for planning has long passed.

The lack of leadership within this Department is evident and we reiterate our call for the removal of the administrator, Jeanette Hunter.

 

 

 

 

North West Adjustment Budget needs to redirect funding to Departments under Covid-19 pressure

Note to Editors: Kindly find the attached soundbites in English and Setswana by Winston Rabotapi MPL, DA Spokesperson on Finance.

The DA notes the Adjustment Appropriation Budget presented today by the MEC for Finance, Motlalepula Rosho.

The adjustment budget is an attempt by government to deal with the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, but there is still room for improvement.

Adjustments to the value of almost R570 million have been proposed, redirecting funding towards various departments. The main beneficiary, of course, under the adjustment budget is the Department of Health, which is in crucial need of funding to address all health-related challenges during this period.

The DA welcomes the reductions in funding to non-service delivery departments under the governance cluster, specifically the Office of the Premier and the Legislature. However, the reduced funding to the Departments of Social Development and Agriculture is cause for concern.

The Department of Social Development holds a crucial function to address the socio-economic challenges experienced by many families across the province as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic impact of the lockdown. Many more people will become dependent on social relief as a result of massive job losses and reductions in household income.

The DA has motivated that the extension of social relief should consider a voucher system rather than the procurement and delivery of food parcels. This will allow desperate families to buy food when they need it at their closest grocery stores. We, therefore, reject the reduction in funding and motivated for additional funding to be made available.

The North West is a predominantly rural province and the reduction of funding towards the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will place strain on the support to farmers and farming communities, especially since the impact of the drought continues to put a strain on the sector. This department has a massive task towards food security and farmer support. The DA cannot support the downward adjustment in funding of this department, especially when the need is so great.

The DA will closely monitor the additional R10 million allocated to the Department of Arts & Culture, which has lately been nothing but a Department of Condolences. We recommended that the additional funding should go towards the relief of provincial artists, who have been unable to perform as a result of the lockdown.

The DA previously wrote to the MEC for Arts & Culture, Virginia Tlhapi, requesting details on the support offered to artists during the lockdown, but we received an unsatisfactory response. We hope that artists will not suffer the same fate.

The DA supports the Adjustment Budget, taking all the amendments that we proposed into consideration, including a tightened monitoring of the Covid-19 expenditure by Provincial Treasury. As always, we will keep a close eye on each and every budget vote.

JB Marks at risk to become NW Covid-19 corruption epicenter

Note to Editors: Kindly find attached soundbites in Setswana by Freddy Sonakile, DA North West Spokesperson on Provincial Public Accounts.

The JB Marks Local Municipality risks becoming the Covid-19 corruption poster child in North West following a municipal presentation during a virtual Provincial Public Accounts Committee (PPAC) meeting yesterday.

The municipality’s presentation was awash with contradictions, irregularities and obfuscation on Covid-19 related expenditure incurred. The municipal report indicated expenditure to date of around R14 million, while Provincial Treasury indicated expenditure in JB Marks to the value of R47 million.

As per the presentation, the company Batseba Holdings, was contracted to supply sanitizers, masks, gloves and face shields. Batseba Holdings charged the JB Marks municipality R742,500.00 for 990 one-litre bottle sanitisers, this calculates to R750.00 a bottle. Bidvest Steiner was also contracted to supply sanitiser and invoiced the municipality 9020 bottles to the value of R1,059,000.00. A very reasonable price of R117.00 per one-litre bottle.

When pressed, the municipal delegation could not explain what the reasons were for contracting Batseba Holdings. The company does not form part of National Treasury’s Suppliers Database for Covid-19 related suppliers, which agreed to supply goods at negotiated prices.

It seems that all goods purchased from Batseba Holdings were facilitated under a deviation from supply chain processes under Treasury’s Emergency Procurement Covid-19 Regulations.

In addition to the irregularities in the municipal report, the JB Marks municipal delegation showed contempt for the Legislature and the principles of accountability.

The committee was also made aware that the JB Marks Municipal Public Finance Committee (MPAC) has been kept in the dark on all Covid-19 related procurements despite MPAC requesting the information from the Municipal Manager.

The DA supports the decision of PPAC to report a case of contempt of the Legislature by the JB Marks municipal delegation, in line with the Standing Rules of the Legislature and the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Legislatures Act. The Committee will also report the matter to the SIU for further investigation.

This is a test case for PPAC to demonstrate to the public that it takes matters of fraud and corruption seriously. It is encouraging that MPLs of other parties have decided to support the DA’s efforts to restore accountability and transparency in governance-related matters.

North West municipalities have for years dodged accountability as a result of political intrusion which has seen the collapse of local governance in the province. North West municipalities are the worst-performing in the country as evidenced by the Auditor-General’s 2018/19 MFMA report.

The DA will ensure that PPAC follows through with the decisions taken. The days of looting unabated are over. We will also ensure that similar action is taken against other municipalities in the province that are notorious for undermining accountability mechanisms.