The North West Provincial Government has noted with great concern an article on page 7 of the Sowetan dated 6 October 2015, which seeks to dent the good image of the Premier of Bokone Bophirima who has since his appointment last year turned things around with a quest to improving service delivery and providing exemplary leadership.
Premier Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo is a humble and down to earth leader, who constantly reminds the Executive Council of the Province (EXCO) and the Provincial Executive Committee about the importance of ethics and integrity. To this effect the Premier has since his appointment directed that MECs who purchase vehicles must do so to the tune not exceeding R600 000 even if they qualify for more in terms of the ministerial handbook.
He strives to lead by example through a few of the following practical examples:
Since his appointment as Premier in 2014 he has not purchased a new vehicle. He inherited a vehicle that was used by the former Premier. The said vehicle is currently at a millage of 90 000. The engine of this vehicle has been replaced due to a misfire and R187 895 had to be paid for this.
- The vehicle he uses got stuck more than 20 times, yet he never rented a vehicle and instead used his private vehicles.
- The relief vehicle he uses is currently at a millage of 220 000 km.
- Other MECs also got stuck with their vehicles and the Premier had borrowed them his allocated official vehicle to bail them out.
- This is part of the provincial austerity measures.
- The Premier always avoids sleeping at expensive hotels. For instance, when he is on official business at Sun City he does not sleep at the Lost City.
- In many occasions when he leads the Setsokotsane programme across municipalities in the province, he eats at taxi ranks. He has encouraged his MECs to do the same.
- Premier Mahumapelo respects and abides by the law.
- He has tabled a forensic report to the provincial legislature.
- He has instituted forensic investigations at the department of Health and at the agricultural college.
- The Office of the Premier handles many cases relating to corruption through its misconduct unit.
- He has undertaken to report to the provincial legislature two times a year.
- He does not intend buying a car for himself and the department that procures vehicles for MECs is that of Community, Safety and Transport Management.
- He does not stay at the official government residence and instead stays at his own house.
- The security assessment done at the guard house of the Premier’s residence required R500 000 but he decided not to utilise that. Instead he paid from his own personal coffers R40 000,00 for the security measures at his guard house.
- He also pays electricity and water used at the guard house from his personal coffers every month.
- A generator was bought for him by government but he took a decision that the generator be donated to a clinic where it would be utilised to benefit members of the community.
For enquiries, contact:
Brian Setswambung
Cell: 076 012 4501
E-mail: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za
