linked to on-going public service strike
20 June 2007
The KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet has expressed concern at the rising levels of
intimidation and criminality believed to be linked to the on-going public
service strike.
At its meeting in Pietermaritzburg today, the Cabinet said while it
respected the right of workers to go on strike, it was concerned at the number
of reports that essential services workers were being violently prevented from
saving life and limb of patients in hospitals. Media reports were also not
being helpful, the Cabinet said.
"The media can't be seen to be amplifying calls by those who are urging
criminality, putting in danger the lives of patients and of school children for
instance," Premier Ndebele said.
The Cabinet decided at the meeting that extra measures would have to be
taken to help school children catch up with lost time as a result of the
three-weeks-old strike.
The Cabinet also received a progress report on the multi-billion rand Dube
TradePort. A sod-turning ceremony would be conducted soon. Finance and Economic
Affairs MEC, Dr Zweli Mkhize told the Cabinet that, although there was a R200
million escalation on the project, efforts were being made to meet the
shortfall.
The Cabinet also received a report from Eskom on the state of electricity
generation in the province. Although the province consumed 15 percent of
national power, it had 40 percent of national electricity transmission
problems. Despite the power generation challenges that Eskom and some
municipalities faced, the Cabinet reaffirmed government's commitment to meeting
the target of providing electricity to all households in the province by
2012.
On wellness issues, the Cabinet felt there should be mass mobilisation of
communities to participate in competitive sports throughout the province.
Enquiries:
Mandla Msomi
Head: Provincial Government Communication
Cell: 072 671 0775
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
20 June 2007
