North West Premier, Maureen Modiselle has dismissed with contempt media allegations that her provincial government is “on the brink of collapse.”
Ms Modiselle was speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Mafikeng when responding to the media allegations that her province is “on the brink of collapse”.
Premier Modiselle said the media reports are just speculations on the content of the letter written by the Minister Sicelo Shiceka to her and the MEC for Local Government and Traditional affairs, Gordan Kegakilwe.
“We wish to state without any equivocation that at no stage during our numerous interactions with Minister Shiceka did the matter of our government being “on the brink of collapse” arise. We therefore wish to dismiss such rumours as speculative and unhelpful,” she explained.
Ms Modiselle further explained that the letter she received from Minister Shiceka was about the interventions on challenges confronted by certain municipalities in the province.
She said her province has already commenced with processes to address those challenges.
“The provincial government commenced with process to address these challenges confronted by certain municipalities in the province prior to receipt of the letter from the Minister on 22 June 2009.
“In fact these processes commenced immediately after the MEC of Local Government and Traditional Affairs and Finance met with the Minister on the 22 May 2009,” she cited.
Premier Modiselle indicated that some of the interventions already acted on include:
* the appointment of an Action Municipal Manager in Naledi Local Municipality with effect from 1st July 2009 for a period of one year
* implementing recommendations of the Auditor General on Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, in respect of the council and affected officials have taken place; such interventions would be made public
* implementation of a package of interventions in the following municipalities: Mafikeng Local Municipality and Madibeng Local Municipality.
In the course of implementing these measures, Premier Modiselle called for calm and patience to allow government authorities time and space.
She assured the people of the province that the stability of the provincial government remains firm and able to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
“We are committed to continue working with the office of the minister, national government and the leadership of municipalities to restore the confidence of our people in the system of local government in the province,” she said.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Monama
Tel: 018 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
E-mail: cmonama@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
23 June 2009
