Gauteng Legislature’s Standing Committee on petitions convenes provincial petitons week to deal with backlog
Led by the Chairperson, Honourable Refilwe Mogale, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s (GPL) Standing Committee on Petitions will convene a Provincial Petitions Week from the 19th – 23rd March. The Provincial Petitions Week is aimed at helping the Committee gain traction on the backlog as there is a significant number of petitions which are still ongoing.
This is due to factors such non-compliance by relevant authorities, junior staff members being sent to hearings that they have no jurisdiction over, and authorities not always adhering to the recommendations of the Committee and committed timeframes.
The 3-day Petitions Week will ensure outstanding petitions are resolved as relevant senior Departmental authorities have been invited to implement the Committee’s recommendations. The Committee is hosting the Provincial Petitions Week, guided by the constitutional right of the people of Gauteng to petition on issues related to the work of the Gauteng Provincial Government and Gauteng municipalities, and are thus entitled to a platform to raise their concerns and have them addressed by relevant structures. The right to petition is given and protected in sections 17, 115, 118, and 195 of the country’s Constitution, and the Gauteng Petitions Act (no. 5 of 2002).
The Provincial Petitions Week is scheduled to take place as follows:
Dates: 19th, 22nd and 23rd March 2018 (Monday, Thursday and Friday)
Starting Time: 9h30
Venue: Johannesburg City Hall
A total of twenty-four (24) petitions will be dealt with over the three days, with the relevant petitioners in attendance to form part of the discussions and receive tangible feedback on their grievances. The 24 petitions pertain to the Department of Community Safety; Department of Roads and Transport; Department of Economic Development; City of Joburg and Department of Human Settlement; Emfuleni Municipality & Department of Human Settlement; City of Tshwane & Department of Human Settlement; and the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality & Department of Human Settlement.
Petitions form part of one of the most effective and peaceful means of resolving community concerns, grievances and requests without resorting to violent demonstrations. Community members are encouraged to submit petitions/grievances/complaints to the Legislature.
Members of the media are invited to attend.
Enquiries:
Pfano Bulasigobo
Tel: 011 498 6381
Cell: 060 533 1982
E-mail: PBulasigobo@gpl.gov.za
