Deputy Public Protector Advocate Kevin Malunga implores state organs to partner in the fight against maladministration and corruption
Deputy Public Protector, Advocate Kevin Malunga called on state organs to partner with the the Public Protector to fight against maladministration and corruption. He said this during the Stakeholder Consultative Dialogue that was held in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga yesterday under the theme “Joining Hands in a Partnership against Maladministration and Corruption.”
The event was attended by Members of the Executive, Heads of Departments, Mayors and Speakers of Municipalities among others.
“Through this dialogue, we come to you as stakeholders to hear your concerns and also encourage you to work with us in ensuring that good governance becomes an integral part of all your programmes,” he said.
Advocate Malunga pointed out that the focus on improved cooperation should not be misconstrued to mean that there is no cooperation at all between government and the Public Protector. He indicated that whilst the level of cooperation is good particularly on issues that affect ordinary people, statistics from the Mpumalanga Provincial office have revealed that many complaints received are against various municipalities, Departments of Human Settlements, Agriculture and Rural Development, Home Affairs, Education, Health, Labour, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Justice and Correctional Services and SASSA respectively. He emphasised that the bulk of complaints in Mpumalanga related to dissatisfaction with service delivery.
He said between April and September this year, the Mpumalanga Provincial office received 529 new complaints indicating a year on year increase. Referring to the Public Protector’s campaign called National Good Governance Week which ended on 30 October 2014. Adv Malunga said he was humbled by the overwhelming response from ordinary citizens who pledged to “Walk the Talk on Good Governance”. This encouraged us to believe that many South Africans are convinced that by promoting good governance in state affairs, maladministration and corruption can be defeated.
“I have been in this province since Tuesday attending to other Alternative Dispute Resolution matters and disputes by ordinary people against goverment. Since the beginning of this financial year in Mpumalanga alone we have dealt with over 790 cases, many of which involved issues around RDP housing and land claims. Complaints against municipalities such as Mkhondo Local, Lekwa Local, Thaba Chweu, Dr JS Moroka, Pixley ka Seme constitute the bulk of these complaints. Maladministration causes ordinary people pain and make them loose their dignity. State action changes lives and state inaction destroys lives. Let us work together to curb close to R300 billion that the state loses through corruption,” he said.
In conclusion, Adv Malunga thanked all state organs and government departments that supported the “Walk the Talk on Good Governance Campaign”. He said when there is service delivery, South Africa prospers and highlighted that the provincial office aims to finalise a response protocol with the provincial government hopefully signed by the Premier. He also said it is worth noting that the relationship between the provincial office and organs of state in the province has improved. He called upon everyone to partner in the fight against maladministration and corruption to achieve what the Constitution promised the people of South Africa.
For more information:
Kgalalelo Masibi
Spokesperson: Public Protector South Africa
Cell: 079 507 0399
Tel: 012 366 7006
Email: kgalalelom@pprotect.org
Twiiter: @PublicProtector
