The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West calls on Premier Job Mokgoro to put his reshuffle plans on a hold and rather, fire corrupt politicians like the MEC for Social Development, Hoffman Galeng, who has repeatedly shown his willingness to abuse the people’s money for his own benefit.

While North West residents face a rising crime rate, the DA finds it unacceptable that Galeng has chosen to spend R50 000 every month on security at his house in Vryburg, this on top of the official home he has in Mahikeng.

Galeng must be dismissed as a matter of urgency and made to pay back all the money that has been spent on this frivolous expenditure item. The DA sees no reason why people’s money should continue to be wasted as payment to a security company, which incidentally has various other contracts with the Provincial government.

Executive costs for members of the provincial cabinet allow for R100 000 per term on MEC’s security.  Galeng used nearly R600 000 for this purpose over the last year.

This is not the first time that Galeng has played fast and loose with the people’s money. In 2015 he used R225 000 in five months on an ANC credit card, which is primarily funded by the taxpayer through grants and by allowances from the legislature.

He used the money to buy Nando’s and KFC, R79 000 for groceries, more than R100 000 on petrol and rental cars, and six different swipes for fuel in just one day.

The failing ANC did not act against  Galeng’s shopping spree, but chose to reward him with a MEC position in the North West Provincial Legislature in 2017. This is yet another clear indication that the failing ANC has lost its moral compass and would rather protect its corrupt cadres at the expense of the people.

The DA stands ready to usher in a government that will root out corruption, promote good governance and ensure that the people’s money is spent on service delivery and not on vanity projects.

Submitted by the DA