Issued by: North West Communication Service
MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE MEC FOR THE NORTH WEST DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PROVINCLAL EXPENDITURE MR MJ KUSCUS, IN RESPONSE TO CHIEF MANGOPE'S STATEMENT ON BOP TV NEWS LAST NIGHT (1ST OCTOBER 1 995 )
1. ALLEGATION THAT R4 BILLION OF THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE PENSION FUND HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO PRETORIA.
Chief Mangope's allegation that R4 billion of the Government Service Pension Fund has been transferred to Pretoria is devoid of all truth. The fact of the matter is that the North West Government has had to deal with many burning issues regarding the Sefalana Employee Benefits Organization (SEBO), a financial institution which managed and administered four (4) funds in the erstwhile Bophuthatswana. The Government Service Pension Fund (GSPF) was one such fund. The problems that the North West Government has had to confront and resolve included democratising the entire operations of SEBO. Allegations about corruption also had to be addressed.
In order to have elements of transparency, inclusivity and consultation in the operations of the funds, a Transitional Management Committee (IMC) was established. The purpose of this Committee was to represent the interests of contributors to the Government Service Pension Fund (GSPF) and the Bophuthatswana National Provident Fund (BNPF). Something that had never happened in Bophuthatswana.
The TMC consists of 20 members nominated by the employer and employee groups. The functions and powers of the TMC were to:
The TMC shall be dissolved once the new funds' management structures are in place.
In addition, an operational watchdog was also introduced in order to oversee SEBO activities. The objectives of the watchdog were to:
There has been extensive consultation with all stakeholders on all initiatives of government. As a result the tempers which precipitated Mangope's downfall were well managed by the North West Government to the satisfaction of all, especially the contributors.
In any case, pension matters resort under central government competence, in terms of the Interim Constitution. There is therefore no way that contributors' funds and assets could be moved by the North West Government.
2. ALLEGATION THAT GOVERNMENT SPENDS TOO MUCH TIME AT SUN CITY
I further wish to reject with contempt the assertion by Mr Mangope that North West MECs spend an inordinate amount of time at the Sun City Complex.
The truth is that in our drive to attract investment, which is needed to create jobs in our province, we have hosted numerous functions at Sun City for foreign business people.
At these functions, scores of meetings have taken place between foreign business people and businessmen and women from our province. Recently, we hosted a Malaysian delegation of more than 200 businessmen and women.
Extremely successful negtiations took place between small entrepreneurs in our province and Malaysian investors.
Several joint ventures are now in the pipeline.
Similarly, the North West Government hosted scores of Egyptian business people who held fruitful discussions with our local entrepeneurs.
We have also made great strides on the political front, using the Sun City complex to mount the most successful ambassadorial summit in this province. Scores of ambassadors representing various countries attended and are now pursuing closer political links with us.
It is sheer sour grapes on the part of former Bophuthatswana President Lucas Mangope as he knows full well that his bantustan was isolated intemationally. It was only recognised by the former Pretoria regime.
The fact that we are moving ahead in creating a better life for all as well as enhancing South Africa and our province's political stature should not lead to arrogance from someone who worked hard to keep the Motswana isolated from the world. For his further edification, here is the list and dates of events:
24 July 1995 - NAFCOC Annual General Conference at which North West Government officials attended.
10 August 1995 - The North West Government hosted ICing Mswati II of Swaziland.
22 August 1995 - The first South Africa/Malaysia Economic Forum.
12 September 1995 - Summit of Ambassadors to South Africa.
18 September 1995 - Economic Summit with Egyptian Entrepreneurs.
3 . ALLEGATION THAT R30 MILLION IS MISSING FROM THE TRIBAL
ACCOUNT
The Govemment does not have any knowledge of funds which have been misappropriated from the Tribal Accounts. Should further information be made available to substantiate the allegation, the Govemment is more than willing to have the matter investigated.