Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs 2013 Budget Speech and Responses by ANC, DA & IFP

Briefing

21 May 2013

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Richard Baloyi, gave his Budget Vote Speech on the 21 May 2013

________________________________________________________________

The Honourable Chairperson,
The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs,
Ministers and other Deputies present here,
MECs of COGTA, COGHSTA,
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee and other MPs,
All Mayors present here,
Chairpersons of Associated Institutions,
Senior Leaders of our Public Service: Prof Nwaila, Mr Madonsela and Mr Mahlawe,
Our Royal and Indigenous Leaders,
Our guest, Jamaican Minister Noel Arscott and your delegation,
Senior leaders,
Ladies and gentlemen,

We present this Budget today, fully committed to a more integrated system of Local government, where the three spheres of government recognise their distinctiveness based on their respective mandates, but fully accepting that they owe it to each other for them to realise their objectives of being active agents of the peoples government, in the know that they are interdependent and inter-related.

It is a fact that the more integrated our cooperative governance is the more effective we will be as a State and the greater will be our capacity to deliver services and ensure development.

The Department of Cooperative Governance is allocated an amount of R56, 12 billion including transfers for this Financial Year, and we believe that this will provide the necessary means to facilitate support to municipalities and coordinating governance amongst the three spheres to contribute in the realisation of the objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP).

The Department of Traditional Affairs is allocated an amount of R105 m to continue with its agenda of further transforming the institution of traditional rule whilst continuing to lay one brick on top of the other, as a new department, to be fully configured and functioning in line with all programmes of traditional affairs, including dealing with questions related to marking the centenary of the Land act, effectively managing the impact of the reopening of the lodgement date for the land reform processes.

The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) is allocated an amount of R252 m to continue providing the necessary technical and professional support to enhance the capacity of our municipalities to deliver the services.
The CWP programme is allocated R1.6 billion.

Last year we presented the Budget of the ministry, re-stating our commitment that the Local Government Turn-around Strategy remains the roadmap for effective support to the local sphere.

Hi rona pfhumba leri ra ku cinca matirhelo eka mafambisele ya vamasipala, hi tekile xiboho xa leswaku hi tirha hi ku tivutisa leswi hi faneleke ku enlda swona loko hi ta tshama hi tsakisa vanhu hi nkarhi hikwawo wa vukorhokeri bya hina.

Leswi hi swi endla hi ku tshama hi ri karhi hi tsundzuxiwa hi va-mavonela kule loko va hi luma ndleve va ku: “Le’bya nyarhi leyo, u nga ri: “Ndza yi vona, hikuva u ta ya wela makokweni ya yona”.

Hi ku tirha kun’we, a hi nge tsandzeki.

We stated our understanding that the best mechanism to build confidence between the people and the municipalities is to address the following priority issues:

  • Accelerating service delivery
  • Promoting good governance
  • Enhancing sound financial management
  • Rolling out infrastructure development and effective maintenance
  • Intensifying the fight against corruption.

Today we want to reflect on some highlights in these five issues and also refer to some practical interventions in dealing with challenges that confront the local sphere from time to time. It suffices to mention, at this stage, that most of the challenges that confront the local sphere are either not the key competencies of the sphere or are influenced by external factors.

Whereas we have to accept that there are some dramatic negative developments in some areas, we should not degenerate into labelling all councillors as rotten apples. It is a complex environment where local government structures find themselves, and we should be ready to engage them.

2. Audit outcomes

The analysis of the reports from the provinces indicates that a number of provinces are pushing hard towards the achievement of the Clean Audit by 2014.

The following municipalities have consistently received CLEAN AUDIT for three conservative years 2009/10, i.e 2010/11 and 2011/12, namely Ehlanzeni District and Steve Tshwete local municipalities. In the same way the West Coast as well Swartland municipalities in the Western Cape and Umtsheni in KwaZulu Natal provinces also received Clean Audits for two conservative years i.e. 2010/11 and 2011/12.

With regards to unqualified audit outcomes,KwaZulu Natal which has a total of 61 municipalities have managed to retain its performance in the improvement of the outcomes with over 70%of its municipalities getting unqualified audits followed by Gauteng with 76%.

Although Gauteng does not have clean audits for 2011/12 financial year, 75% (9 out of 12) of its municipalities received unqualified audits, which is a remarkable performance.

We recently convened a meeting with 167 municipalities that have performed below unqualified, with matters and have since put them on a list of municipalities to be supported, Listening to the issues that these munics raised, it is clear that there is more in the issue than meet the eye.

We are therefore putting a team to reflect on a programme to enhance their financial performance qualities and reflect on policy.

(i) Access to Piped Water

Census data shows that the proportion of household’s access to piped water has significantly increased since 1996.

Access to piped water in the dwelling or yard has increased significantly since 1996 when only 60.7% of households reported access, compared to 73.4% in 2011. During the same time, the percentage of households with no access to piped water decreased from 19.7% in 1996 to 8.8% in 2011.

The provinces with the best access to piped water in the dwelling or yard in 2011 were:

  • Gauteng (89.4%);
  • Free State (89.1%); and
  • Western Cape (88.4%).

Provinces where significant percentages of households do not have access to piped water were Eastern Cape (22.2%), KwaZulu‐Natal (14.1%) and Limpopo (14.0%).

There are only 1.8% households in Gauteng with no access to piped water, followed by Free State and Northern Cape at 2.2% and 2.6% respectively.

(ii) Toilet Facilities

It is encouraging to note that the percentage of households that had no toilet facility, or who had used bucket toilets, has declined over the years.

Households that have flush toilets connected to the sewage system increased to 57.0% in Census 2011, from 50% and 55% in both Census 2001 and Community Survey 2007, respectively.

Those households which have flush toilets with a septic tank were lower in Community Survey 2007 (2.8%) compared to 3% and 3.1% in Census 2001 and Census 2011 respectively.

Households having a pit toilet with ventilation (i.e. VIP) also increased to 8.8% in Census 2011 from 5.6% and 6.6% in Census 2001 and Community Survey 2007, respectively. Access to a pit toilet without ventilation declined from 22.3% in Census 2001 to 19.3% in Census 2011.

Chemical toilets were under‐utilised according to the Community Survey 2007 with only 0.4%, less than 1.9% in Census 2001, and 2.5% in Census 2011. The bucket toilet system was more common in Census 2001 with 3.9%, compared to Community Survey 2007 and Census 2011 that reported 2.2% and 2.1% respectively.

The percentage of households that were without toilets declined significantly to 5.2% in Census 2011, from 13.3% and 8.3% reported in both Census 2001 and Community Survey 2007, respectively.

(iii) Energy

Census data shows that grid electricity has been more common in South Africa as a source of energy for lighting since 1996. Households using electricity for lighting increased from 58.2% in 1996 to 84.7% in 2011, while those using paraffin and candles decreased over the same period from 12.7% to 3.0% and from 28.7% to 11.4% in 1996 and 2011, respectively.

The proportion of households using electricity as a source of energy for lighting by province increased over the period. The highest proportion was recorded in Western Cape (93.4%), while the lowest was recorded in Eastern Cape (75%).

(iv) Refuse removal

Census data further shows that the percentage of households that have their refuse removed by the municipality weekly have increased consistently from 52.1% in 1996 to 62.1% in 2011 while those removed less often declined from 2.2% in 2001 to 1.5% in 2011.

4. Good governance

All municipalities have established Ward Committees and Ward Operational Plans have been developed and are being implemented and monitored.
There are 10 munics under section 139

5. Intensifying the fight against corruption

We are at an advance stage in finalising an agreement between the Local Government Inspectorate and Investigation unit. We are taking serious the need to accelerate the delivery of services, hence we resolved to build on the capacity-building initiatives that have been made at all the spheres, including through SALGA.

We made a call so clear in the Local Government turn-around strategy position that Local Government is everybody’s business, and we are now realising a quick response by people wanting to be part of it and be serious.

Business formations are polishing their offers for a massive engagement to enhance the capacity of our municipalities to deliver the best services, even in areas that have responsibilities devolved to municipalities as unfunded mandates.

We are going to have a major launch of partnerships between the Municipalities and business organisations in August 2013. Some of these partnerships will address the delivery of basic services through “Turn-key’ initiatives for the delivery of such services as water, electricity, sanitation and other areas.

Today, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) requested to make a public offer on their areas of interest in participation in partnership with municipalities.

Their offer is detailed as follows:

1. Areas of focus

1.1. The initial areas of focus for this agreement will be in six  (6) priority areas, as agreed upon by the parties namely:

1.1.1. Local Economic Development (LED): This priority area is intended to maximise the economic potential of municipal localities/local government and the business environment in the various provinces. It aims to enhance the resilience of the macro-economic growth through increased local economic growth, employment creation and developmental initiatives. Private companies will be mobilised to support organised local government as well as prospective municipalities to the above effect.

1.1.2. Energy and Climate Change: integration of climate change response measures at municipal level. Particular reference is made to energy although further opportunities may be explored based on the needs of the parties.

1.1.3. Capacity Building and Institutional Development in Local Government: Enhance skills and organisational systems of municipalities/local government towards improved service delivery.

1.1.4. Public Private Partnerships: Coordination and facilitation of improved and innovative ways of co-operation between municipalities/local government and business in a way that supports the developmental mandate of the municipalities.

1.1.5. Promoting good governance and eradication of corruption. The parties will monitor developments and report on issues requiring joint attention over time and work towards institutionalising a platform dedicated to monitoring and managing this process.

1.1.6. Identify issues that promote business retention and expansion that will contribute to local economic growth and development.

1.2. Parties also agree that priority areas may change with time, or additional priorities may be identified and added in the future, with the agreement of the parties.

We are also proud to announce that the ABSA Bank is on board, saying that they will focus on the following areas:

  • Development of effective financial management skills for leaders and managers in Local government
  • ‘Governance upliftment through advisory support on effective and transparent procurement
  • Leadership development in affordable housing.

In addition, a consortium of three companies is ready for signing a partnership with any municipality on PPP to include ICT and effective Billing Systems, comprising of SAP, Guma and Gijima.

Timhaka leti ta ku antswisa ntokoto wa vamasipala ku korhokela matiko i nyimpi leyi hi nga ta yi lwa hi yima ntsena hi ku twa rhambu ku tshoveka. Hi rhamba mani na mani ku hoxa xanndla eka ku tiyisa timasipala ta hina, a hi siyi munhu. A swi lavi ntsena mali ku tirhisana na vamasipala, hambi hi mavonele swa koteka.

In partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training, we are soon launching a capacity building programme for our councillors and traditional leaders to take accredited mobile training sessions, details of which will also be unveiled in August 2013.

Our ward system is strengthened to deal with questions of public participation in that what we used to call technical Support Unit has now changed their name into Service Delivery Facilitators who are required to deal with questions of public engagements as well as engaging with government stakeholders.

The role of MISA

  • At the end of March 2013 MISA deployed 68 technical consultants and 24 Service providers that support 100 priority municipalities.
  • MISA technical consultants during the 2012/13 Financial Year accelerated862 infrastructure projects amounting to R12, 7 billion in value.
  • A total number of 36,005 jobs were created through MISA

The Commission on Disputes and Claims for Traditional Leadership has concluded 85% cases of the 1 244 that were outstanding as we presented the budget last year. We established a team to finalise issues related to salaries of Traditional Leaders.

I present the budget.

Inkomu!

Speech by Hon Dalita Boshigo during the Budget Vote Debate on COGTA

Topic: Governance and Public Participation

Mohlomphegi Modulasetulo;
Mohlomophegi Tona;
Mohlomphegi Motlatša Tona;
Maloko a Palamente ao a hlomphegago;
Baeng ba bohlokwa bao bothanego ka mo Kalering;
Bomme le Bontate:

Kgweding ya Setemere ngwageng wa 2000 Afrika Borwa e ile ya ikgokaganya le ditšhaba tše 189 tša lefase go itlama go lenaneo la tlhabollo ya lefase. Ka go dira bjalo, Afrika Borwa e amogetše Diphihlelelo tša Tlhabollo ya Mileniamo tše seswai tša 2015. Tšona ke,

Go fihlelela Thuto ya motheo ya Gohle
Go fediša Bodiidi le Tlala
Tekatekano ya Bong
Go kaonafatša Maphelo a Bana
Go kaonafatša Maphelo a Sesadi
Go netefatša gore Tikologo ke yeo e kgona go swarelela go ya go ile
Go hloma dikamano tša lefase le go Thibela HIV/Aids
Five years later, in 2005 the ANC government opened itself up for public scrutiny by the world in the form of the first report on progress with the above mentioned goals. The government did this because it understands that the overriding strategic objective of governance is to change the peoples ’lives for the better’. In this regard it is essential that the impact of its policies on the lives of the people should be assessed through credible mechanisms of multilateral bodies, amongst others.

The President of the Republic of South Africa was underscoring this relationship between government’s policy interventions in governance, on the one hand, and impact measurement, on the other hand when he said:

“Census 2011 will also help us know how far we are with regards to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, adopted by Heads of State in the year 2000.”

Not surprisingly the 2005 report concluded that for a number of goals, targets and associated indicators, considerable progress towards the achievement of national targets was made. This applied specifically to economic growth (GDP), poverty reduction, gender equality, primary education and maternal health. At the same time there was a worrying trend in HIV and Aids prevalence, while unemployment and inequality remained at high levels.

The ANC government intervened at a policy level to change the above picture for the better by implementing the resolutions of the 52nd National Conference of the governing party. The previous government interventions were reinforced when health, education and job creation, among others, were prioritised with firm resolutions on how the picture should be changed to improve the lives of the people of South Africa in general and women and the poor in particular.

A lot has been reported about the significant decline in infant mortality rate, a figure which shows that the country is doing well to significantly reduce the number of deaths among infants.

Similar progress has also been recorded in the area of HIV and Aids prevalence especially as a result of the successes in significantly arresting the incidence of Mother to Child Transmission through the MTCP.

The Census 2011 statistics on education reveal yet another success of the ANC government in that:

Under the policies of the ANC government we have seen a decrease in the proportion of the population with no formal education. In 1996, within 2 years of the ANC government, there were 4 055 646 people of 20 years and older who had no schooling. In 2011 the ANC government had reduced the number to 2 665 875. This represents a shift from 19,1% in 1996 to 8,6% in 2011. Now we know why some among us want to cast doubts on STATS-SA!

The proportion of persons with grade 12/Standard 10/Matric has increased from just under 3,5 million (3 488 434) in 1996 to close to 9 million (8 919 608) in 2011.

The overall proportion of people with higher education remains low in relation to the total population. However it continues to show a notable upward trend from 1 512 602 in 1996 to 3 644 617 in 2011.This represents a percentage increase of4, 7% of the population group of 20 years and older persons.

From the above statistics, and judging by the massive interventions that continue to be made by the ANC government in the areas of education and health in particular, South Africa will report significant progress to the world in 2015.

The global economic downturn will certainly continue to strangle the government’s efforts at fighting poverty, unemployment and inequality but all these areas, including women empowerment and gender equality are uppermost in the minds of the leadership of South Africa as is evident in detailed policy interventions on these areas.

The Community Work Programme (CWP) is a community-driven partnership programme which is aimed at tackling poverty and unemployment. The programme provides an employment safety net by giving participants a minimum number of regular days of work, typically two days a week or eight days a month, thus providing a predictable income stream.

Within a year of the programme’s inception it had succeeded to create 89 689 work opportunities having been created in 56 sites spread throughout all the nine provinces across 45 Municipalities and covering 417 wards.

By the end of the 2011/12 financial year the sites had grown from 56 at the end of the 2010/11 financial year to 74 by the end of the 2011/12 financial year.

The CWP is designed as an employment safety net, not an employment solution for participants. The purpose is to supplement people’s existing livelihood strategies by offering a basic level of income security through work. It is an ongoing programme that does not replace government’s existing social grants programme but complements it.

It is envisaged that by the programme will have created 237 000 work opportunities by the end of the 2013/14 financial year.

Over the next two financial years the programme will have been scaled up to create250 000 work opportunities.

CWP sites are being established in marginalised economic areas, both rural and urban, where unemployment is high. Unemployed and underemployed men and women qualify to apply for work.

The CWP was initiated by the Second Economy Strategy Project, an initiative of the Presidency located in Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), a policy research non-governmental organisation (NGO). In 2007, a pilot programme to test the approach was implemented under the auspices of a partnership between the Presidency and the Department for Social Development, which established a Steering Committee and provided oversight.

The pilot was successful, and the CWP was accepted in 2008 as part of the new non-state sector of the second phase of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP II), with access to the funding of wages through this. By mid-2009, it was decided that, as the CWP contributes to a number of key strategic goals of government to address poverty and unemployment, it should become a fully-fledged government programme. Its Steering Committee was expanded to include National Treasury, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (DCoGTA) and the Department of Public Works, and the programme was housed in DCoGTA from 1 April 2010.

This background is an example of continuing successes of many similar initiatives aimed at job creation and poverty alleviation which are made possible by the ANC government’s commitment to intervene and partner with the people in order for them to bring about change in their own lives.

The primary purpose of the CWP’s to achieve the following:

Provide an employment safety net; considering that sustainable employment solutions will take time, and will reach the most marginalised last;
Contribute to the development of public assets and services in poor communities;
Strengthen community development approaches; and
Strengthen the economic ‘agency’ of people in marginalised economic areas; provide work experience; enhance dignity and promote social and economic inclusion.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa requires accountability and transparency in the discharge of governance functions aimed at improving the lives of the people. Public participation is an essential component of this accountability model in a developmental state. Section 152, subsection 1(e) of the constitution instructs us to ‘encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in the matters of local government.

Bašomi ba Tlhabollo ya Setšhaba (CDW)

The role of Community Development Workers (CDW) is that of being a community based resource persons collaborating with other community stakeholder in various fellow community members to achieve goals and maintain their wellbeing. They also serve the communities where they live through the process of acting as interface between government and communities to improve participatory democratic and governance and intergovernmental coordination. CDW’s collaborate with all other relevant departments responsible for implementing projects and programmes by acting as a bridge between the community and such government institutions. The CDW’s implement their various roles through the provision of information to communities and they do so in terms of collecting information on needs, problem and opportunities,

Identifying resource persons and organisations that can add value to government programmes
Facilitating implementation coordination of intergovernmental programmes
ongoing liaison with the three spheres of government
Monitoring and evaluating programme implementation
Assisting with HIV/AIDS programmes as well as in implementing the People’s Contract.
The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) places a high premium on meaningful community involvement with Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and Ward Committees as these are platforms to realise the goals of community involvement with local government.

With regard to the IDP’s the 2013/14 financial year will see improved efforts aimed at creating a policy platform that provides a differentiated approach to municipal financing, planning and support. As part of this overall objective, we will facilitate for the development of credible and simplified IDPs which are informed by the unique nature of municipalities.

The ANC government is aware of the challenges with some aspects of the Ward Committee model. As part of the strategic goals to be pursued during the current financial year, we will deepen local democracy through a refined Ward Committee model. This will entail a review and strengthening of the legislative framework for ward committees and community participation.

We call upon our communities to continue taking their own development into their own hands by partaking in the abovementioned community work, community development and community public participation platforms.

Kamano magareng ga magato a 3 a mmušo

Mohlomphegi Modulasetulo, go a swanela gore go lemogwe gore Khonferense ya Bosetšhaba ya bo53 e tšere sephetho sa gore re swanetše go hlama mmušo wo o kopanetšwego wa tirišano bjalo ka karolo ya tshepetšo ya kago ya seemo sa tlhabollo. Seemo seo se swanetše go ela hloko magareng ga tše dingwe ditaba tšeo di amanago le tšhomišano le mmušo wa bosetšhaba ka go ditsenogare tša mmušo wa profense ka mererong ya bommasepala ka maikarabelo le tsela e bonolo yeo e tla go amogelwa Lekgotlatheramolaong leo le itšego. Taba yeo e ikgethilego e amanago le tlhamo ya tirelo ya Setšhaba ka e tee ke go hlokomela gore ditaba tše go boletšwego ka tšona ge go fihlelelwa sephetho ka tšona di fa tirelo yeo e ikarabetšego ebilego e le ya sephorofešene magatong ka moka kudukudu go la selegae.

Go ya ka kgodišo ya dikamano magareng ga magato a mmušo wa Bosetšhaba, wa Profense, le wa Selegae, Molaotheo wa Rephabliki ya Afrika Borwa o hlama sebopego sa semolao seo se abelago ditho tše dingwe tša pušo le dihlongwa go godiša le go kgontšha dikamano magareng ga dipušo gammogo le go abelana ka mekgwa le ditshepetšo gore diphapano tša madulo tšeo elego gore ka tlhago ya tšona ke tša dipušo ka dipušo di rarollege

Mohlomphegi Modulasetulo, go swanetše gore go gatelelwe gore go na le nyakego ya go bolela ka taba ya gore bohlokwa bja botee bja sepolitiki le seemo sa tlhabollo bo netefatša gore mmušo o maemong a go rarolla mathata ao magareng a a mangwe a amanago le bohlokwa bja pušo ya tirišano yeo e kopanetšwego, mmotlolo wo o itlhaotšego wa pušo ya selegae, bokamoso bja diprofense, pušo ya mmasepala, go matlafatša mo go tiilego ga dikomiti bjalo ka karolo botšeakarolo bja setšhaba ka go maeleng a mmuo wa selegae, le karolo yeo mebasepala ya dilete e ralokago. Karolo ya poto yeo e bekanyago magomo a mellwane ya mebasepala, kamano magare ga ditho tša setšhaba le mebasepala, go matlafatša makgotlatheramelao, bokamoso bja dikgetho tšeo di bago gatee, go se swane ga banna le basadi go lebeletšwe ditlamorago, ditaba tša merero ya setšo, ditaba tšeo di tšwetšago pele matlafatšo ya tshepetšo ya mmušo wa selegae, tshenyo le tsenyotirišong ya sephetho seo se tšerwego diforamong tša go fapanafapana.

ANC e thekga tekanyetšokabo ye.








 
 
Office of the Chief Whip

Mathole Serofo Motshekga
ANC Chief Whip Mmamoloko Kubayi
ANC Acting Deputy Chief WhipNosipho Dorothy Ntwanambi
NCOP Chief WhipFORMER CHIEF WHIP FORMER CAUCUS CHAIRPERSONS ALL MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT       
Book Series: Understanding the ANC Today

Click here for information on how to purchase your copies of our Series Titled 'Understanding the ANC Today', published on behalf of the ANC Parliamentary Political Educational Committee

Speech by Hon Dumisile Nhlengethwa during the National Assembly Budget Vote Debate on COGTA

Chairperson
Minister
Deputy Minister
Our Guest - Minister of Local Government from Jamaica
Mec`s
Chairpersons
SALGA
House of Traditional Leaders
CRL Commission
Demarcation Board
The 2 DG`s
Amakhosi
Distinguished Guests

CHAIRPERSON

When we emerged from our 53rd National Conference, we emerged even more committed to the vision of a united, non-racial, non sexist democratic and prosperous South Africa as enshrined in the Freedom Charter.

In the 101 ANC Birthday 2013, we were given marching orders, which called upon all of us to work towards consolidating our democracy, deepen efforts to transform the economic patterns of the present in order to realise our vision for the future and ensure that we place service delivery at the centre of our transformation and development agenda.

In 1972 on the occasion of the ANC`s 60th Anniversary, President Oliver Thambo underscored the significance and value of the January 8th NEC Statement. He emphasised the fact that, in 1912 when the leaders of African people converged in Bloemfontein to found the Nation and to become one people so that they continue with the old struggle against white colonial exploitation as one African people that spoke and acted through the ANC which was established on that day and give its form of character.

On that day having discussed and reviewed the past, they proceeded to work out a strategy of the struggle for the future. That`s what I am going to do in my contribution to this Budget Vote today!

Sihlalo

Ngivumele ngikhumbuze umphakathi wonke wase South Africa ukuthi sibuya kuphi ngomlando wezifunda nangomlando wabo nobuhulumeni base khaya. Kuqala ngesikhathi sobandlululo ama Province waye ngu 4 kuphela. Kungabelungu kuphela ababenelungelo loku vota. Ngo 1994 iANC yasikhulula saba nelungelo lokuvota. AmaProvince abangu 9. Sasinama office kaMasipala abizwa ngokuthi ama "Transitional Local Councils" iANC yabona ukuthi izinsiza azifiki kahle ebantwini, yeza nohlelo lokuletha uhulumeni ebantwini. Manje sinama ward angu 4277, aboMasipala abangu 278, amaPR Councillor angu 5778. Lokhu kusho ukuthi sinama councillor angu 10055 amele zonke izinhlangano zwelonke. Sinama Ward Committees athatha izikhalo ngqo kubantu. Sinama Community Development Workers angena indlu ngendlu abheke inhlalonhle yabantu. Sinezinhlelo zokuqinisa ama Street committees nawo azokuba ne profile yendlu ngendlu. Akekho omunye uHulumeni owenze lokhu ngaphandle kuka hulumeni oholwa ngu ANC.

The ANC led government has made a significant progress in wrestling with these deep historical injustices of the Apartheid rule. In a number of instances these huge achievements have created perception stagnation as a result of the inherent trappings of the same achievements. This is because as people witness demonstrations of governance’s capacity to change their lives, they engage in demonstrations some of which are calculated to outmanoeuvre for the attention of government ahead of their counterparts who are also awaiting service delivery.

Local government by its nature is a coal face of service delivery. It continues to bear the brunt of protests. Communities have realised that they can bargain with their votes and thereby expedite service delivery through attracting attention even if this means violent protests.

The narrative of poor service delivery is now being hyped and all sorts of opportunistic forces have been activated.

Sihlalo

Ngifuna ukwenza umzekelo ukuthi kwezinye izindawo kuyazwakala uma umphakathi unganeliseki, kodwa abafuna ukwenza ubugebengu bese bayasizakala. Sibonile ezindaweni lapho bekubhikishwa khona. Izigebengu nezigilamkhuba zigcina zisizakala. Ukweba ezitolo kusuke kungekho kuluhla lwezikhalazo zomphakathi.

Kulenyanga ephelile u April umphakathi wase Msukaligwa Municipality e Warburton wabhikisha, ubhikishela ukuthi ucela uMasipala afake ipedestrian overhead crossing bridge, ngoba kule International Road esuka Egoli iya e Swaziland ibusy kakhulu. Izingane eziwela umgwaqo ukuya esikolweni nokuyokukha amanzi zishayiswa yizimoto ziyafa. Lokho kuyazwakala zase ziyasizakala ke izigila mkhuba, zigqoke ama T-shirt we DA zathatha over kuleyo protest.

Kwagunjwa umgwaqo kwamiswa izimoto zakhuthuzwa imali nama cellphones. Ungenelelo luka Masipala, asafakiwe ama pedestrian crossing lines. Ibridge kuvunyelwene ukuthi lizongena ku next financial year.

CHAIRPERSON

In His state of the Nation Address, President Zuma told the nation that, the achievements of the five priorities would advance the recovery of humanity of all South Africans and improve the quality of their lives.

The recent National Social Cohesion and Nation Building Summit which the President initiated in response to growing level of intolerance amongst the various groups in the country, respond to the number of protests we are experiencing.

Chairperson we have seen that, Public protest violence is becoming an increasing security concern and is directly linked to issues around governance and service delivery. Some have demonstrated weakness in our capacity to engage with communities and detect and respond to problems as they arise. The ANC government has intervened by creating a structure that will ensure timely interventions and a dedicated mechanism to ensure an early warning system, in terms of capacity and weakness of the State.

A National Dialogue has been proposed to discuss the violent nature of protests, marches and strikes to protect the rights of all people. Parliament should lead and invite all stake holders to participate

Therefore Chairperson

This financial year`s budget vote should focus on instruments of public engagements during those engagements there must be clear messages sent to the people on the work the ANC has successfully done since its first administration in 1994. As ANC we must not be dislodged from celebrating our achievements.

Notwithstanding the immense challenges we face as a country and as COGTA family, we can be justifiable proud of our achievements as we journey towards the 2030 vision of the National Development Plan in which we have created a home where everybody feels free, yet bounded to others, where everyone embraces their full potential we are proud to serve under the ANC led government that cares.

We will make sure that we recognise excellence where it exists and build on it, ensuring that there is a professional and capable Local Government, driven by the imperative of a development State.

Guided by our own ANC policies, 1955 Freedom Charter, 1992 ANC Policy Blue Print "Ready to Govern", 1994 - 2009 ANC election Manifesto. Yingakho siziqhenya namhlanje sisho sithi "Together we can do more"

8 January 1997 former President Mandela emphasised the issue of morality and unity. I quote "One important task of our movement is that it should act as a forum to collective learning, in which we share experiences, learn from each other, assess what has been happening and empower each other". He further said "Unity is not built by bureaucratic declaration, unity is a dynamic reality that must emerge from the real empowerment of our people; we call upon all people where ever they are to rededicate themselves to collective effort of consolidating the National Democratic Revolution"

2013 SONA focuses on tackling the triple challenges as a Nation and Democratic task of all citizens. It was an address to inform and educate the Nation on the internal consideration of the ANC led government and unwavering commitment and systematic programme to correct the historical injustices and provide concrete programmes.

The correlation between January 8 ANC NEC Statement and the SONA can be found in a number of areas but one that has particular relevance for 2013 are those references that address the eradication of apartheid production relations.

Significantly the ANC in "READY TO GOVERN" States that, the achievements of genuine sense of national unity depend on all of us. Working together to overcome the inequalities created by Apartheid.

According to the Grant Thornton Survey February 2013, a starting 58% of medium-sized businesses said that they were affected by poor government service delivery, referring mainly to electricity supply but to billing issues, poor roads and slow payments.

The 2012/13 to 2015 Medium Term Budget Framework grapples with these issues on infrastructure challenges. Through the National Development Plan, interventions of funding are highlighted to support and improve infrastructure, public transport and human settlement challenges.

The ANC Government priority since 1994 has been to meet basic needs on millions of South Africans living in poverty. Responding to this call, Municipalities have contributed significantly to reducing infrastructure backlogs. If you can go to Soweto now uvalwe amehlo, uma uvula amehlo uzocabanga ukuthi ukwelinye izwe. Ziningi ke izindawo, uye e Amsterdam (Mkhondo Municipalitu), lapho ngizalwa khona, Sihlalo ezindlini zodaka sikha amanzi esiyalwini emva kuka 1994 sawakhea ezimpompini ezingu 500metres kude nendlu (Communal Taps) Hamba khona manje ayinkho indlu yodaka. UHulumeni we ANC ufake izindlu, amanzi, ugesi umgwaqo ka Tiyela elokishini

Bese uyafika wena ungazange uhlale endlini eyakhiwe ngodaka uthi iANC ayenzanga lutho. Ngima la phambi kwenu ngifunde ngemali yempesheni ka gogo wami on 101 years kulonyaka. Owaqala ukuhola impesheni esaholwa kanye after 6 months ngesikhathi sobandlululo. Ngo 1994 yashintsha yonke lento, wonke umuntu ohola impesheni wayihola njalo ngenyanga.

Chairperson

Budget Vote 3 is aimed at improving governance across the three spheres of government in partnership with institutions of Traditional Leadership.

The total allocation for 2013/14 Budget vote is R58.2 billion which when taking into account inflation represents a real increase of 0.56% from R54.8 billion during the previous financial year. COGTA vote consists of 7 programmes. The Medium Term Expenditure Framework, where the spending for 2013/14 constitutes a proposed appropriation to be funded from National Revenue contained in the main Appropriation Bill.

In 2013/13 the Portfolio Committee noted that the budget for Administration Programme had decreased from R205.4 million to R201.4 million. The committee then recommended that the budget be increased to accommodate approved posts. 2013/14 budget shows a real increase of 5%.

Programme 2 - Policy Research and Knowledge Management the committee has noted that this is a specialised support service to the department in the area of knowledge and policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation, information, communication and business technologies with 4 sub-programmes and a total budget of R49.5milllion in 2013/14 financial year.

The committee noted with concern that in last year`s budget this programme has not performed well in terms of service delivery, targets relating to formulation of legislation on Khoi and San communities in the form of National Traditional Affairs Bill have thus far been shifted to programme 7. We are looking forward that the Bill be brought to Parliament for further processing.

Further more - the department of Traditional Affairs is in a process to redefine, locate and affirm the traditional institutions of the Khoi-San communities. The amendment of the Act does not speak only to inclusion of the Khoi-San communities but also to inclusion of all previously excluded groups, either by omission or by design, including women. The President mention the Bill on Gender Equity and Women Empowerment, which stipulates the 50/50 position with regard to women representation in decision-making structures but the National Traditional Leadership Framework Act only provides for 30% women representation.

Chairperson

The Portfolio Committee also welcome the decision taken by the ANC led government to re-open the lodgement of Land Claims to accommodate those who were dispossessed earlier than previously identified time period - 1913. COGTA must embark on a programme to assist the Traditional Leaders and communities who were identified landless following an assessment of the State of Governance of Traditional Institution which my colleagues will talk more about.

Chairperson

I will be failing my duties not to mention the performance of Municipalities according to the 2011/12 audit outcomes. The Auditor General of South Africa has a constitutional mandate and as the supreme Audit Institution of South Africa, it exists to strengthen our country`s democracy by enabling oversight accountability and governance in public sector through auditing thereby building public confidence.

Chairperson, because of time I won`t get into figured on hoe many has received adverse opinion; I will mainly highlight our concerns. The Portfolio Committee has met with the department, we have met with the MEC`s, met with Auditor General and we discusses this issue in depth.

Thou we can not shy away from the fact that we noted with concern the regression of 5 municipalities who obtained a clean audit in 2010/11 financial year.

Hounorable Minister

In the Turn-Around Strategy another volume be added which will fall under the discussions "Ukulwa kwenye undlu ukuvuka kwenye indlu" approach.

I am saying this because kuyabonakala ukuthi le intervention aseyenza last year focused on those municipalities ebawa nge intervention and the support from all stake holders bavuka. Uma usithi this year siyabuka ama Audit Outcome, some of those who performed well has regressed so the approach must be to monitor all performed and those who are struggling.

Kodwa ke no Auditor General simtshelile ezingxoxweni zethu ukuthi abo Masipala bayakhala ngokushintsha-shintsha kwama regulations required in order to comply. Kulonyaka ngulawa kulonyaka ozayo ngamanye. But then there are issues which need to be tighten up.

The Portfolio Committee call upon the AG to tighten rules for intergovernmental transfers, especially for infrastructure projects.

Measures should be taken to supply chain management to make it harder for tender processes to be easily manipulated and to avoid situations where government pays above market related process for goods and services and yet use material of poor quality.

We support the ANC resolution that says: All public office bearers, public representatives, public servants and local government employees must be restricted in doing business with the state.

Chairperson

There should be more oversight of executive committees by council and council committees. We congratulate the department, SALGA, provinces and municipalities who made sure that all 250 municipal public accounts committees have been successfully formed in all Provinces. These committees are meant to improve oversight over financial matters and combat corruption through ethics, training and seminars. Our duty as the Portfolio Committee is to assess the functionality of the committees on a regular basis in a bid to strengthen financial management in municipalities.

Chairperson

With all the interventions which we welcome and support, we recommend that the department should:

Come up with the introduction of Intergovernmental Monitoring Support and Intervention Bill, which will seek to improve the regulatory environment for effective oversight and interventions practice of national government over provincial and local government.
On the next financial year the department must make sure when implementing the funding model for municipalities in grade 1 - 3 to promote good governance and public participation by strengthening the functionality of ward committees.
Within an incremental framework, some powers should be delegated to the more effective ward committees. Ward committees should take responsibility for fixing potholes, pavements and streetlights, so that they can feel as part of the system and own it.
We also recommend that there should be insurance scheme or some other way of catering for councillor`s houses and other properties that are destroyed during strikes because of the positions they occupy as councillors. We recommend that the National Budget meets the cost of this
We also recommend that there must be a once off grant municipalities to offset the service delivery backlogs.
Chairperson

Portfolio Committee: COGTA`s mandate is to do oversight; we will ensure that public funds are used for the intended purposes and that funds meet the intended beneficiaries, most of whom are poor and unemployed.

I would like to thank the Minister, Deputy Minister, Portfolio Committee Members (all of them), the DG`s, SALGA, CRL Commission, House of Traditional Leaders, Demarcation Boards, FFC Commission, AG, National Treasury, Provinces, MECs , Municipalities with the good working relationship you displayed during our deliberation.

Congratulates the department on the improved audit opinion , in 2010/11 financial year it received qualified Audit Opinion, in 2011/12 financial year it received unqualified audit with findings.

Chairperson they deserve that this budget be supported. The ANC supports Budget Vote 3 Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

I THANK YOU

Speech by Hon Divili Mavunda during the National Assembly Budget Vote Debate on COGTA

Mutshami wa xitulu na yindlu ya wena leyo hlawuleka, ndza mi losa. Hi ri vandal leri fumaka ra ANC, hi rhandza ku hoyozela na ku tlhela hi seketela Nkavelo wa ndzawulo leyi lowu andlariweke hi holobye eka ndzhenga wa namuntlha.

Mutshami wa xitulu, ndzi rhandza ku kongomisa mbulavulo wa mina eka ndzawulo leyi nga yona yi tirhaka ngopfu-ngopfu na ku seketelana na mimfumo-xikaya na mimfumo-swivongo ya vukosi na tihosi hi xiviri.

Horn. Chairperson, the establishment of the department of Traditional Affairs is an indication of government s commitment to affirm Traditional Affairs,and the role of Traditional Leaders in their communities.

A key mandate, among others, of this department is to ensure that traditional leaders work cooperatively with the three spheres of government, in particular the local councillors.

We all recall that since 2009, Traditional Affairs became an independent department from COGTA; however, we have not heard of any separate budget vote and its new minister. Maybe National Treasury has not yet completed their process, or the president has not yet decided to appoint a minister at this time. If this process can be finalised sooner, it will be appreciated by all.

The Institutions of Traditional Leadership and customary law are given due recognition by the constitution of the Republic of South Africa in terms of chapter 12 and schedule 4.

First and foremost we like to comment the ANC led government in consultation with various relevant stakeholders within our broader society to promulgate legislations and policies to support Traditional Leadership and Institutions. I refer here legislations like; the traditional affairs institutional support and co-ordination, the National House of traditional Leaders Act, the commission for the promotion of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities Act, and many more.

More than that, there are other legislations that provides for representation of Traditional Leaders in Municipal Councils through the provision of the Municipal Structures Act of 1997, i.e., section 81 of the Act.

This was done in order to strengthen the institutional support of this Traditional Affairs institution and to further enhance the development of appropriate policies, norms and standards, systems and regulatory framework governing Traditional Leadership and Institutions as entrenched in our constitution.

In other words, the Department of Co-operative and Traditional Affairs has an obligation to provide numerous supports to the institution. We are aware that the mission of this department is among other things, to integrate traditional affairs for sustainable development and social cohesion, to promote, protect and preserve culture heritage and our culture in diversity.

This department with the Traditional Leadership institution are at the core of our country success as a nation in achieving the development of this country in rural areas where the majority of our previously disadvantaged communities are living. Here we include other departments like the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, the department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and others.

Horn. Minister, we highly appreciate your department for giving support to the National House of Traditional Leaders in conducting induction to members of the House.

We also commend the department for developing the Traditional Leadership Empowerment programme to implement the recommendations of the report on state of governance of traditional leadership structures. Much as we appreciate the department for giving financially and administrative support, we have realised that the department is not doing well in the reconstituting of the long awaited process of Traditional Councils which is long overdue. We can argue that if you really mean business, Horn. Minister, and DG of the department of Traditional Affairs, in supporting Traditional Institutions to exercise their powers and performs their duties as expected, you should first consider constituting those Traditional Councils.

We expect this department and with high pride to provide human resources, technical and professional support to Traditional institutions for activities on celebrations of cultural events at local levels.

Horn. Chairperson, we all recall that this marks the centenary of the 1913 Land Act, which had a very bad and a negative impact to all African people.

In his State of the Nation Address and in his official opening of the House of Traditional Leaders this year, president Jacob Zuma said “This year 2013 marks a centenary of the Native Land Act of 1913, which since in its promulgation and commencement on the 19 of June 1913, it turned our African people in to wanders, labourers and felt rejected in their own land.

Horn, chairperson, as a caring government, we welcome and embrace the proposed amendments to the Restitution of Land Rights Act by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform in order to provide for the re-opening of the lodgement of restitution claims to cater all people who missed the deadline of the 31 December 1998, and to accommodate claims by the descendents of the Khoi and San as well as the Heritage Sites and Historical Landmarks.

Hinkwaswo leswi swa khenseka, tani hi loko swi ta vuyerisa misava eka vinyi. Kutani vanhu vat a kota ku ti tirhela hi ku rima na ku fuwa. Kutani va hanya vutomi byo antswa lomu va tshamaka kona.

MISAVA MANA WA HINA;

Inkomu.

21 May 2013
Highlights: 

•    All is not well in the state of local government, the people are not happy, and we need to urgently occupy ourselves with how we can improve the situation.
•    Corruption Watch indicates that by the far the greatest majority of calls their tips off line receives are about corruption in municipalities.
•    The Auditor general has flagged noncompliance with legislation,  particularly supply chain management, as one of the key reasons why municipalities do not achieve clean audits
•    The problem is that the current system rewards mediocrity and Molly coddles poor performance: If you can't do your job a consultant is hired to do it for you
•    It should not be the public and opposition which should be policing these regulations and their implementation, that job should fall squarely on the department of COGTA



Chairperson,

Today offers us an important opportunity to look back over the last year and assess performance and to look forward to the coming year to determine where we can do better. It goes without saying that in the coming year there is a great deal of room for improvement.

The marked increases in service delivery processes and the major challenges which have faced many municipalities, from metros to smaller Councils clearly indicate that all is not well in the state of local government, the people are not happy, and we need to urgently occupy ourselves with how we can improve the situation.

In the limited time today I am going to focus on what I call the four C's, it is my belief that if we are to grapple with these four major challenges and deal with them effectively then we will make significant improvement in the coming year. These four C's are: Capacity, Corruption, Compliance and Consequences. 

CAPACITY:

The National Development Plan (NDP) makes very specific reference to building a capacitated and effective local government. What we are yet to see from the department though is an effective and workable plan to improve and create this capacity. We have seen some attempts through the Sakhuma Sake, these have clearly not had the desired effect. In their last presentation to the portfolio committee, the Finance and Fiscal Commission made it very clear that the funding gaps that exist at local government level are irrelevant, unless there is the capacity at local government level to actually do something. This is perhaps best illustrated by the expenditure patterns which exist relative to conditional grants:

Massive amounts of money are transferred on an annual basis to municipalities, only to have this money returned at the end of the year because municipalities are unable to spend this money as they lack the capacity, technical, management and financial. We cannot simply continue to throw money at the problem to have it keep bouncing back with no improvement in service delivery on the ground. We need to explore withholding conditional grants from repeat offenders but this cannot be done unless a proper capacity building program has been embarked upon.   

There is undoubtedly a causal link between service delivery failures and a lack of capacity:

•    Ermelo Example

The latest Auditor General’s report on local government audit outcomes outlines the use of consultants, which surely has to be another clear example of the capacity crisis at local government level. During the last financial year some R360 million was spent by municipalities on consultants. In 168 out of 198 instances where consultants were used, they were engaged due to the lack of the necessary technical skills, in only 13 instances for vacancies. Of course the reality is that if we withdrew consultants from doing work, we would witness a wholesale collapse of many municipalities. The department must, as a matter of urgency, examine how we can ensure that when consultants are used, that there is a program in place to impart these skills to the employees.

Last year the Minister announced that the regulations envisaged in terms of the Municipal Systems Amendment Act (MSAA) of 2011 would finally be released, he subsequently missed several deadlines to table these. It took vigorous intervention from the portfolio committee to get these tabled. Whilst it is certainly lamentable that these are so late, they will nonetheless go some way to improving the quality and ability of senior municipal managers, that is if they are implemented of course, but more about that later...

On is matter, It is most interesting to note that the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) have last night indicated that they will be challenging the minister in court on his ability to pass these regulations. We cannot afford to delay these regulations any more than they have been already and I wonder if you today could outline your intentions in this matter, will you stand up to the unions?  

CORRUPTION

Sadly, this is another example where the department’s words have simply not matched up to the outcomes. Corruption Watch indicates that by the far the greatest majority of calls their tips off line receives are about corruption in municipalities. The continued confusion that exists around the role, powers and functions of the Anti-Corruption Inspectorate has not helped. What has happened to the cases the inspectorate was dealing with? What is the progress in dealing with them? All we've heard about in this regards is a parable about Balaam and his donkey, with respect we don't need parables we need progress and we need prosecutions!

During the course of last year, I asked at the portfolio committee for the minister to provide a schedule of all those municipal officials who were criminally charged in terms of either the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) or the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), prosecuted and who were then sentenced to jail or were forced to pay back their ill-gotten gains. Well we are still waiting and it's my suspicion that that list does not exist. Unless a hard line is taken this scourge is not going to recede, it's going to grow. 

The department needs to pick some high profile cases in each province and focus on them like a laser beam, prosecute them to very fullest extent of the law and seek the most severe sentences, or at the very least the maximum of recoveries of money. These must then be held up as examples to other officials and Councillors that this department and its minister are really serious about addressing this problem.

COMPLIANCE

We are blessed in our country with some of the most progressive and useful legislation in the world, we have the MFMA, PFMA, the Systems act, the Structures Act, the Property Rates act and the Demarcation Act. But really what is the point of this legislation, unless it is actually complied with by municipal councils and provinces. A good example of what happens when compliance is thrown out of the window is the case of the eThekwini and the repeated violation of the MFMA when it comes to the award of tenders.

The MFMA sets out the prescribed framework for supply chain management which must be followed by municipalities when procuring goods and services. Section 112 (1) (i) of this act sets out quite specifically that the following persons are barred from participating in tendering or other bidding processes:

    - Persons who were convicted for fraud, corruption during the past five years;
    - Persons who wilfully neglected, reneged on or failed to comply with a government contract during the past five years; or
    - Persons whose tax matters are not cleared by the South African Revenue Services.

Why then was a company, Zikhulise cc owned by ANC-connected businesswoman Shauwn Mpisane, in breach of all three of these exclusions awarded multimillion Rand tenders when at the time of the original tender award she had in place a conviction for VAT fraud, this should have rendered her, or her company unable to even submit tenders for the various projects which were ultimately awarded to her company. It is clear that the proper vetting processes were not carried out, or that officials in the supply chain management department deliberately ignored this disqualification and made the award to her anyway.

The Inspection by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) also found the workmanship on these houses to be sub-standard and improper. It is also that Zikhulise’s registration with the NHBRC expired in 2007, another matter which was conveniently overlooked by the council.

It should not even be necessary to elaborate on Mpisanes’ failure to comply with subsection (iii) of the Act. The massive publicity around the current 119 charges of fraud that have been brought against her by SARS makes it obvious that her “tax matters” are not cleared by them. The charges relate to alleged fraudulent activity undertaken to avoid paying tax, this included the alleged submission of false and fraudulent invoices. This should be enough to render her company unable to score more tenders but they just keep rolling in.

Of course it is easy to blame Mpisane for this huge mess, but the blame must lie squarely at the door of the municipality which has been so lax in ensuring that the conditions of the MFMA are implemented.

It should not be the public and opposition which should be policing these regulations and their implementation, that job should fall squarely on the department of COGTA. There needs to be a far greater focus in the coming year on working with provincial COGTA departments and legislatures to improve the compliance framework in municipalities.

The Auditor-General has flagged noncompliance with legislation, particularly supply chain management, as one of the key reasons why municipalities do not achieve clean audits. Unless attention is given to this key area of legislative compliance then the lofty goals of Operation Clean Audit will remain a distant and unattainable dream.

We surely cannot continue to rely on the Municipal Turnaround Strategy (MTAS) to address the issue, we all know that the results of MTAS have been fair to middling and many of the local turnaround strategies are nothing more than wordy documents gathering dust in the drawers of municipal managers and Mayors.

CONSEQUENCES

Consequences, or more appropriately, the lack of them underpins all the other items which I have addressed already

The Auditor General has again this year highlighted the lack of consequences as one of the key areas why there has been such poor audit outcomes at a local government and a provincial government level. This has to be one of the key areas where the department is failing and needs to apply itself in the coming year.

We seem to have become very good about talking about consequences, but what are we actually doing about them?

- How can it be that municipalities that receive adverse audit opinions reward municipal managers with performance bonuses?
- How can municipalities that overspend their budgets and underspend on grants be rewarded with salary increases?
- How can it be that disclaimers become nothing more than a single day of bad headlines for a council?

The problem is that the current system rewards mediocrity and Molly coddles poor performance: If you cannot do your job a consultant is hired to do it for you, if you steal in one department or council, you are moved to another. Instead of showing poor performers the door, we just give them more. This is simply not good enough!

We need to weed out poor performance, we need to encourage good governance and we should only be rewarding excellence. This is precisely why we need a consequence framework that sets out very specifically the consequences. Wouldn't it be a great achievement if this department and this minister could lead the way in developing such a framework in our country?

Chairperson if, "Local Government is everybody's business", then let's actually get down to business and show the country that when it comes to service delivery, we really do mean business.

Thank You

Budget Vote 3 - Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs 
 Mr Peter Smith MP

 

21 May 2013
 
Chairperson,
 
 
Though the IFP will be voting in favour of this vote, we do so with a heavy heart. It is nothing but a grudge vote because the department is unfortunately increasingly becoming more and more of a disappointment to the IFP.
 
Now it is true that there have been some attempts to deal with inherited problems, and to be fair to the department, I will mention some of them.
 
There is the new revised equitable share formula. There is Misa. There is legislation on the holding of political office by municipal officials. But good though these initiatives are, it is incredible how long it has taken to get to this stage. We have highlighted the unfairness of the equitable share formula, the under-spending of capital grants and the way in which political interference damages municipalities for nearly 15 years. If every challenge takes a decade or more to address, what does this say about the responsiveness of the dept to meeting the challenges faced by local government?
 
It is a fact chairperson, and it is clear to almost everyone in South Africa, that local government in general is in trouble, and like it or not, the buck stops here, with this Minister and this department. The Minister is responsible for outcome 9 of government's 12 priority outcomes, namely a responsive, accountable, effective and efficient local government system.
 
Now while it may be true that not each and every municipality is in trouble, because there are obviously a number of municipalities that are performing reasonably well, and some very well, the IFP does not believe you are making sufficient progress in achieving this outcome Minister. Now, you and your colleagues may well argue that things are by no means bleak, that you have recognised the challenges and that you are dealing with them.
 
Well, chairperson, South Africa is tired of hearing this. People are tired of endless excuses of why things are not what they should be. They are tired of listening to endless promises that big change for the better is imminent.
 
While we sit here in the house holding our budget votes, there are a lot of unhappy people around the country. Journalists will tell you that there is such an avalanche of bad news pouring into their in-boxes every month that most stories are no longer even mentioned in print or on air. The bad news we do get to hear of is merely a small fraction of the reality. There is an iceberg of failure out there, but the dept acts as though the whole iceberg is that little piece you see above the waterline instead of the 95% unseen, beneath the water.
 
Chairperson, four years ago things were so bad that the President convened the entire local government sphere to devise a turnaround strategy. This was the decisive intervention from which point everything would improve so that the basics at the very least would be achieved. A set of basic objectives were spelled out. And then we had a number of 2011 - 2014 priorities called Vision 2014 which proclaimed that by next year, all citizens would have access to affordable basic services, that all informal settlements would be eradicated, that cities would be clean, that all schools would have access to basic services, that all municipalities would have clean audits, and that violent service delivery protests would be eliminated. And so on.
 
Chairperson, we all know this is daydreaming.
 
Take something as basic as the provision of toilets. It is a disgrace in the year 2013, that there is an estimated shortfall of some 2 million toilets in SA. That toilets are sometimes simply built anywhere, in the veld, or that they are inappropriate and simply stop working within months. It is disgraceful that the Durban municipality delivers new houses where residents have to collect water in a bucket from a standpipe to flush the toilet which discharges outside into an open pit around which children are expected to be playing. It is disgraceful that the bucket system is still with us.  And if we can't even sort out toilets, what about other delivery priorities?
 
Take Operation Clean Audit. Year after year we are subject to remedial pronouncements by the dept, yet the situation merely gets worse, with the Auditor-General taking the unprecedented step of complaining that his office's reports are simply ignored and that there is not the political will to sort out the situation. But the story is even worse because a clean audit can disguise problems. The AG recently tested municipalities against a number of key measures of financial health which do not comprise part of the normal audit, and his findings are alarming. It was found that 30% of municipalities with clean or unqualified audits were actually in financial distress.
 
Take the issue of corruption. If you look back over the post 1996 period, the dept's contribution to putting an end to corruption in LG is a joke. It has basically done nothing. And the provinces on average are not much better. When there is blatant corruption taking place, this dept is silent. Maybe because it has done nothing, and has not shown itself capable of doing anything, it has now been given a minimal role in combating corruption by being put in charge of ethics workshops. Wonderful. Corruption Watch, the anticorruption unit associated with your tripartite alliance partner, expresses far more concern than do you or your dept. Corruption Watch is not alone. The Public Protector reports that her office is inundated with an "astronomical" increase in complaints of corruption. The Auditor-General reports the same. Yet in the municipalities themselves, life seemingly goes on as usual.


 

Audio

No related

Documents

No related documents