The task team dispatched to Mpumalanga province by Minister Sicelo Shiceka a week ago today presented the preliminary findings of an investigation into problems facing local municipalities which could have contributed to the recent upsurge in service delivery protests in the province.
The municipalities the team focused on for the initial assessment include Thaba Chweu, Albert Luthuli, eMalahleni, eMkhondo, Pixley ka Seme, Govan Mbeki, Steve Tshwete and Msukaligwa, some of whom have experienced the most violent protests in the past few weeks.
The Minister's visit follows a similar visit to his office by Premier David Mabuza and MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Norman Mokoena, a week ago when they went to report on the situation and to ask for the support of national government in dealing with the situation.
"We are here to support the MEC and from next week when the task team begins to get into a more in-depth investigation, until the final report is presented around 21 August, MEC Mokoena will lead the process," Minister Shiceka said.
Municipalities are urged to go back to communities and engage them on their programmes and funded projects. In general the findings, which are preliminary, include:
* lack of responsiveness to issues raised by communities
* tensions between the political and administrative sections of the municipalities
* ward committees that are not fully functional, resulting in poor communication with communities
* financial mismanagement and allegations of fraud and corruption
* poor planning, maintenance and management of infrastructure resulting in poor service delivery
* IDP and budgeting processes not aligned in some municipalities.
The interim report presents an immediate and urgent assessment regarding the incidents of municipal protests and unrest. It will be followed by a full assessment of the state of municipalities and an audit of service delivery in the province which will commence next week.
Government has condemned the acts of violence, intimidation, destruction of property and criminality that have marked the protests in the province, urging the police not to hesitate to act against the perpetrators. Government further condemned the attacks on foreign nationals in Balfour.
"The attacks on foreign nationals in these protests are a further act of criminality which will not be tolerated, especially in a country where we are preparing to host the entire world for the 2010 FIFA World Cup next year. Such acts further take away from any genuine grievances that anyone may be presenting to government," Minister Shiceka said.
The national Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs is planning a summit of all Ward Committees to specifically deal with the critical issues of public participation and communication.
Enquiries:
Vuyelwa Qinga Vika
Cell: 082 877 3898
E-mail: VuyelwaQ@dplg.gov.za
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
Issued by: Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs
24 July 2009
Source: Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (http://www.thedplg.gov.za/)
