Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela will this week take her National Stakeholder Consultative Dialogue to residents of the Northern Cape, with meetings scheduled to be held in De Aar and Kimberley.
The Public Protector has already interfaced with a variety of stakeholders, including government leaders, civil society organisations and ordinary members of the public in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and North West.
The dialogue is held under the theme, "Joining hands to end maladministration and ensure responsive service delivery: Focus on RDP houses and regulatory gaps on the illegal conversion of panel vans into taxis."
Unlike its first two precursors in as many years, this year's dialogue incorporates public hearings, where stakeholders share their experiences on problems surrounding RDP houses and the converted taxis.
This helps the Public Protector to gather information for the two systemic investigations she is currently conducting on the two subject matters. RDP and panel van issues that led to the investigations include waiting lists, procurement concerns, quality of homes, illegal sale of homes, allegations of corruption; and regulatory framework and accountability for challenges such as safety and passenger insurance.
Complainants, who wish to bring other matters to the attention of the Public Protector, will be welcome to do so provided that their matters affect a group or community.
While individual complainants, whose grievances focus on other aspects of service delivery will not be turned away, it must be noted that such complaints will not be given first preference during the sessions. There will be a Public Protector stall outside the venues, where more of such complaints can be lodged.
The Public Protector will interface with ordinary community members at the De Aar City Hall on Monday, 6 August at 11h00. This will be followed by a meeting with an organised stakeholder grouping that includes provincial executives, government officials, political parties and civil society during a formal stakeholder meeting at the Provincial Legislature in Kimberley on Tuesday, 7 August 2012. The meeting will commence at 09h30.
The dialogue is also held in line with the constitutional injuction that the Public Protector should be accessible to all persons and communities.
The outreach meeting will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, 6 August 2012
Time: 11h00
Venue: City Hall, De Aar
The formal stakeholder meeting will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 7 August 2012
Time: 09h30
Venue: Provincial Legislature, Kimberley
Media is invited to cover both events.
Those who wish to attend can confirm with:
Oupa Segalwe
Cell: 072 264 3273
E-mail: oupas@pprotect.org
Salvation Mokgatlhe
Cell: 079 031 5589
E-mail: salvationm@pprotect.org
For more information, contact:
Kgalalelo Masibi, Spokesperson, Public Protector South Africa
Cell: 079 507 0399
Tel: 012 366 7006
E-mail: kgalalelom@pprotect.org
