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Polity
Published: 22 Feb 2010
ID: Statement by Rose Gudhluza, Independent Democrats Gauteng Leader, outlining expectations for the State of the Province Address (22/02/2010)
Rose Gudhluza, ID leader in Gauteng and MPL, says that when Premier Nomvula Mokonyane delivers her State of the Province Address tomorrow, ‘the people of Guateng are not looking for a lecture on ANC history, but a list of plans that will actually be implemented.


Plans backed up with implementation

‘The ID wants credible and well-thought out plans from the Premier, not another long and tiring lecture on ANC history, like the one that characterised her State of the Province Address in Kliptown last year,' Ms Gudhluza says.

‘Instead, she must unveil innovative and creative ideas that deal with the biggest challenges facing our people, including unemployment, poverty, education, health, crime and corruption, HIV and Aids and youth development.

‘Of course, we also want her to cover the development and support of small and medium enterprises and alternative energy sources, with special focus on encouraging labour intensive sectors and projects,' says Gudhluza.


Broken promises

‘In her Address last year Premier Mokonyane committed her administration to cutting wasteful expenditure and to paying service providers on time. In spite of this, there are certain departments that are notorious for overspending budgets and not paying suppliers on time.

‘This is why we as the ID would like to hear more than just that she plans to deal with this problem, we would also like to hear the how and when,' Gudhluza says.


Health

‘We need to hear Solutions to the lack of sound financial management at the Health Department, which has resulted in financial crisis after financial crisis. The Department has now run out of money and it is unable to pay most of its suppliers for the current financial year, which ends 31 March 2010.

‘The lack of financial control within the department has also resulted in a medical waste crisis hitting major Gauteng hospitals, where Phambili Wasteman refuses to collect medical waste because they are owed R6 million by the Department,' says Gudhluza.

‘The Premier must intervene in the matter and seek an emergency loan for the Health Department, so that suppliers can be paid for their services.


Local Government and Housing

‘Moreover, the Premier should also outline measures directed at bringing to an end the inefficient administration within the Department of Local Government and Housing, which received a qualified audit for the 2008/2009 financial year,' Gudhluza says.

‘The Premier must not be comfortable in the belief that the problems in this particular Department are going to solve themselves. We want to remind the Premier of the service delivery protests that occurred in the Province last year. The people of the Province will not be satisfied with rhetoric - they want service delivery.

‘These protests more often than not revolve around issues of housing. If you have a department as important as this one, then receiving unqualified audits is a must,' says Gudhluza.


Complacency in the public service

‘In addition, we are also facing a high level of complacency and lack of motivation in the public service. A shocking example that comes to mind is Mr Yasser Marere, a Zimbabwean businessman, who had to search through 40 dead babies to find his child at Johannesburg Coronation Hospital.

‘His wife had also alleged that hospital staff prevented her from seeing the child after they informed her that the newborn had died. This was in stark contrast to Premier Mokonyane's promise last year that, "hard work, efficiency, speed and quality service will be the order of the day."