MBOMBELA – The opposition in legislature has condemned premier Mr David Mabuza’s failure to tackle corruption in his State of the Province Address (Sopa) on Friday.
Mr Collen Sedibe of the EFF said is was worrying that he had failed to elaborate on how he was going to fight corruption in the provincial government and municipalities.
“The programmes he spoke about does not have an implementation strategy. He failed to indicate as to how he will come up with a plan for economic growth and job creation.”
His sentiments were echoed by Mr Cleopas Maunye, leader of the Bushbuckridge Residents Association (BRA). “We are very concerned about the seriousness of the premier in addressing corruption. In a 32-page speech he only mentioned it once, in a province that incurred irregular expenditure amounting to more than R1 billion.”
Mr Anthony Benadie, DA leader said Mabuza’s speech “demonstrated the extent of the ANC government’s disconnection with the real state of the province”.
“The SOPA did not provide effective remedies to cure the multiple problems plaguing the province, instead, it was a game of denial and self-congratulation of gains that in reality, were not achieved.”
He said while 86 710 jobs were created from 2008 to 2014, Mabuza failed to mention that the number of unemployed people had increased by 162 000 in that period, increasing the unemployment rate from 23 per cent to 29,3 per cent.
They noted with concern that the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) was entrusted to handle massive infrastructure projects – such as the development of 10 hospitals over the next three years. “This agency failed to establish bulk-water infrastructure, lost over 750 housing loan agreements and constantly failed to reach over 50 per cent of their set targets,” Benadie said.
Maunye added that the institution couldn’t even adminiser itself, “yet the premier continues to use MEGA as a tool for economic growth. The fresh-produce market to be constructed in the upcoming financial year will be forever in the pipeline as long it is in the hands of MEGA.”
He noted that the economy continued to grow at less than the targeted five per cent. “More effort needs to be put into SMMEs in municipalities to enhance economic growth, but with challenges in human capital in local municipalities, SMME would never receive the desired support to achieve growth.”
He charged that the health facilities remained in crisis. “When are we going to complete the refurbishment of Rob Ferreira Hospital?”
Sedibe added that the infrastructure development and revitalisation of hospitals made it clear that the premier did not have a plan to address the debilitating state of hospitals. “The delivery of basic services such as water, roads and quality houses are cause for concern.” Benadie added that with the housing backlog standing at 197 156, it was worrying that Mabuza made no mention of how this issue would be addressed. “Instead, he again promised to revitalise distressed mining towns, a promise that by his own admission has yet to be fulfilled.”
The DA however welcomed the announcement that the Moloto Rail Corridor Development programme, meant to alleviate pressure on the ill-fated R537 Moloto Road, has been approved.”
The BRA commended the leadership of the Department of Education in uplifting farms schools.
- To see the dignitaries on the SOPA red-carpet, click here.
- Read more on the irregular expenditure here.
- See a comparison between the premier’s address of June 2014 and 2015 here.
- Click here for more on new plans to generate electricity .
