Honourable Speaker
Honourable Deputy Speaker
Honourable members of the legislature
Ladies and gentlemen
I wish to thank all members who took part in the State of the Province Address debate. There are a few matters I must respond to:
On local government and our lack of strategy and vision:
Section 40(1) and (2) are very clear - There are three distinct, interdependent and interrelated spheres of government, which must operate within the given parameters and principles.
Further, section 41 (e) and (f) enjoins us to respect the status and powers of each sphere and not interfer or assume any power or function expect these conferred on them in terms of the Constitution.
Mr Speaker,
Section 154(1) further says both national and provincial governments, by legislative and other measures must support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to manage their own affairs, to exercise their powers and to perform their functions.
The provision of the Municipal Structure Act 117 of 1998 outlines the role of the provincial government in the establishment of municipalities.
Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 as Amended by Act 7 of 2011 enables the provincial government to establish mechanisms, processes and procedures in terms of Section 155(6) of the Constitution:
- to monitor the development of local government capacity in the province
- to monitor municipalities in managing their own affairs, exercising their powers and performing their functions; and
- to assess the support needed by municipalities to strengthen their capacity to manage their own affairs, exercise their powers and perform their functions.
Nowhere does the law say the Premier or the Province must usurp municipal power and function. That is why the MEC must publicise any requirement for any information or action within given periods. The MEC must rely on reports, annual reports (sec.46).
Steps taken by the MEC or the Minister can perform (section 106 of the Act) sets out processes that must be followed by the MEC or Minster or both.
Mr Speaker,
During my first State of the Province Address, I spoke about challenges we face at the local government. I spoke to what we intended doing. Last week I spoke again about the assignment (I used the Word Commitment) of both MEC’s Finance and Local Government.
I repeat, I said they are continuing, I said further our partnership with the SA Institute of Chartered Accountant, the North West University and our project Thuthuka were continuing. I also said we will see if these efforts are bearing fruit in the next Auditor General’s reports.
Surely Speaker we couldn’t judge the efforts of 2011/12 on the reports of 2010/11.
I raised my concern and that of EXCO on the non-submission of reports of the Auditor General – 2010/11!
I am definitely not sure whether the Hounorable members of the Opposition genuinely had a collective moment of lapse or whether they honestly just ran with what they thought was a chance to hit the ruling party.
The law says we must support and help strengthen – that is what we are doing. The resustation of the North West Premier’s Coordinating Council and the Imbizo’s are to support and capacitate municipalities.
The Planning Commission coordinates planning and assists planning were possible, between provinces and municipalities.
Coordination to provide coherent government for the whole country is the main aim so that no sphere of government is unwilling or unable to meet its obligations. Of course section 100 and 139 are well known. Only if the processes we have put in place fail will we look at Sections 139. We know areas/municipalities we are putting under close watch – Tswaing, Naledi, Moses Kotane, Kgetleng, Madibeng and Mafikeng.
Mr Speaker,
On Scholar Transport - I said there is an investigation going on. I also said we have provided sufficiently. I must list warn that investigation includes routes, rates and in one area the political manipulations of communities around this matter.
On the relations with mining houses, I must disappoint Mr. Moerane. We have a relationship of the North West Provincial Government and the various mining houses. The relations are cordial.
The figure we quoted was for houses built by our own government. We did not include houses built by mines. Members must not forget that the province is still rebuilding houses that were badly built- also required to rebuild the Bop-houses ko Manthe.
I spoke to bad relations between mining houses and their host communities. That relationship is difficult to manage-firstly the province rarely has a say in the issuing of mining licenses; secondly the parties- DMR, the mine or the host community does not deposit a copy of their agreement or contracts with the province- we are only called in when they fight to adjudicate over something we really are not empowered to do.
The minerals, we think, have divided families and communities. The truth is often the first victim. Processes and procedures outlined in legislation must not be flouted. Traditions and cultures must be respected in determining the rightful kgosi. All North West traditional leadership disputes have been submitted to the National Commission of Disputes.
On whether Public Works and vacancies –yes, senior management is suspended and is facing disciplinary procedures- I repeat, yes it is possible that others may follow, yes there are other investigations that must be conducted. We told this house so, last year we also said so in the State of the Province Address (SOPA). Repeating this is really not doing anything for the problem itself.
If the question is put so that we must be intimidated into not continuing- then we must disappoint the honourable member, for we are determined to clean up all divisions of public works. We, I repeat again, have approached other departments for help and the new Head of Department (HOD) will soon start.
On whether the coming of Hon Mahlakeng to the State of the Province Address would have embarrassed the Premier - I can only say he serves to embarrass himself if he chooses to confide in the Hon. Hattingh of all members! Then i must question his health.
On the utilisation of the extended public works programme- yes, it is the only way to stimulate employment in certain areas. Our building and revitalisation programmes are labour intensive.
The unemployed and youth in particular will be assisted to attain artisan skills and learnerships and we expect to provide for close to 500 jobs on the Vryburg, Brits and Moses Kotane Hospitals revitalisations.
On why I brought no new plans- that is frankly rich - I announced the need for roads, quality electricity, water and sanitation last year. This year we say we can now begin with what we said last year.
I am amased. Can members of the house be so cruel,, should we not be committed to what we promised people? Should we announce new plans annually just to play with people’s expectations? No! I outlined how we will manage the 10 priority roads, how we intend to build critical roads especially around Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district; I said we had put some money aside for water piping and purification in both the Bojanala and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati districts.
Hon Hattingh says it was a flat-fine- why did it get such good national coverage sir? If the honourable member expects us to dance to depraved music- then i am sorry-he will not get it.
Hon Hattingh is worried that this legislature spent too much for the opening compared to what he calls “the leading province.” He does not acknowledge that the airport, new roads and new settlements you are boasting about. You inherited from the ANC under Ibrahim Rasool administration!
The honourable member’s interest in my position as DSG or Premier is very curious. He has no basis for this interest- it’s not administrative. Whether I were a branch member or not, it is none of his business, but perhaps his interest is betrayed by choice of biblical text-“serving two masters.” Perhaps the member has not rid himself of “mastership.”
Perhaps you expected a pliable African woman. Perhaps the possibility of the unity of the ANC in this province is too much- you must denigrate a leader of the ANC hoping to get noises that will herald the ANC coming apart for you to take advantage of? Perhaps your sordid partners amongst undisciplined ANC members give you the latitude to boast! You will struggle before you get this province.
I have, and will spend time at Luthuli House, in National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings; at conferences and in the review work I do for National government. I will also continue to sit all the PICC and its management committee as often as I can. I will continue to do my work as Premier of the North West until the President says so.
My work is not to hold my MEC’s hands; my work is not gather gossips around. My work is to marshall thought, idea, strategy, tactic, resources and energy into the achievement of total liberation of the people of this province. It is to make government deliver to the people. Not to amuse members who have not even begun to read and interpret the very Constitution they thumb daily.
My job is to try and unite the people of this province black and white and rescue them from grip of old systems. My job is to liberate all women from likes of those who think African Women are only fit to make tea in your homes.
In short – the ANC will choose each leader in Bloemfontein – they will not seek the advice of this house.
I thank you!
