Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet has announced that public servants in the Eastern Cape will no longer be allowed to trade with the government. Kiviet said this while addressing members of the media at the end of the mid-year provincial Lekgotla in East London a few hours ago.
"The Lekgotla has decided to put a stop into this practice of civil servants doing business with government because it creates unfair competition and opens government to corrupt tendencies. People have a choice to make. Either you a business person or you are civil servant," said Kiviet.
Kiviet said a policy will be developed by the Office of the Premier on the matter. She said consultation with the affected parties will be done during the development of the policy.
Turning her attention on Education, Kiviet announced that the Lekgotla welcomed the approval by Executive Commitee (EXCO) of about R56 million to employ scarce skills educators – maths and science. She said this will create stability and improve educations outcomes in the province. Kiviet also clarified the stance of the Eastern Cape Government around section 100 (1) (b).
"The EXCO has no intention whatsoever to stall or contest implementation of section 100 (1) (b). Our interest is for the 5 – aside Task Team appointed by the President on the 7 June 2011 to meet as a matter of extreme urgency to continue with its mandate and to clear any perceived misunderstanding between the provincial and the national government,” said Kiviet.
The two day Lekgotla was attended by Executive Mayors and Municipal Managers of District and Metropolitan Municipalities, Heads of Provincial Departments, Provincial Heads of National Departments and CEO’s of Public Entities in the province.
The purpose of the Lekgotla was to assess the progress in the implementation of previous resolutions and to review the existing plans in preparation for the 2012/13 financial year and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
For enquiries contact:Mahlubandile Qwase
Government Spokesperson
Cell: 083 259 9039
