Following successful engagements with Eastern Cape stakeholders last week, as part of the two-month National Stakeholder Consultative Dialogue, Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela will this week interface with KwaZulu-Natal residents.
The dialogue is held under the theme "Joining hands to end maladministration and ensure responsive service delivery: Focus on Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses and regulatory gaps on the illegal conversion of panel vans into taxis."
The two events to be held in Tongaat and Pietermaritzburg will combine the dialogue with public hearings, where stakeholders, including the members of the public, civil society organisations, government and the media, will be expected to share their experiences regarding problems plaguing RDP housing and converted taxis through short presentations.
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 taken during these sessions. There will be a Public Protector stall outside the venues, where such complaints can be lodged.
An outreach event will be held at the Hamabanathi Community Hall in Tongaat, where the Public Protector and her team will dialogue with community members on issues relating to RDP houses and the illegal conversion of panel vans into taxis.
This will be followed by a formal stakeholder meeting with provincial executives, government officials, political parties, civil society and experts in the areas under the spotlight at the Provincial Legislature in Pietermaritzburg.
The issues to be addressed at both events emanate from ongoing systemic investigations into RDP housing problems and regulatory gaps in the illegal conversion of panel vans into taxis. They include waiting lists, procurement concerns, quality of homes, conveyance arrangements, sale of RDP homes, allegations of corruption, regulatory framework and accountability for challenges such as safety and passenger insurance.
The campaign is also in line with the constitutional injunction that the Public Protector should be accessible to all persons and communities.
The outreach event will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Time: 10H00
Venue: Hambanathi Community Hall, Tongaat
The formal stakeholder meeting will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Time: 09h30
Venue: Provincial Legislature, Pietermaritzburg
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 for Public Protector South Africa
Cell: 079 507 0399
Tel: 012 366 7006
E-mail: kgalalelom@pprotect.org
