ANC again proves that party politics is their top priority, says DA

The Democratic Alliance in North West has written to the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Susan Dantjie, insisting that she explain why the plenary sitting and committee meetings scheduled for today, 20 September was postponed.

According to a statement by Jacqueline Theologo, DA North West Chief Whip it has come to light that the postponement was due to the fact that ANC Members of the Legislature instead chose to attend an announcement of the North West Provincial Task Team (PTT), which took place at Luthuli House on 20 September.

‘This ill-considered decision once again proves that the ANC puts party politics above the people with party matters clearly taking preference, and the Speaker should explain why the NWPL’s programme is interrupted by the ANC’s party schedule.

‘The NWPL is an entity that should operate independent of political affiliation. The Speaker’s decision to put the ANC’s interests first is inconsistent with the NWPL’s mandate of being principled, unbiased and unrelenting in the pursuit of their vision to foster lawmaking, oversight and public participation processes through robust debates to instil public pride and confidence in democracy. This act of imprudence is therefore a display of their indifference and lack of political will to better the lives of the citizens of this province.

‘The sittings held at NWPL comprises of debates, motions and amendment bills that directly affect the livelihood of every person in this province. The fact that proceedings of this nature were postponed in order for the ANC to resolve their internal political scuffles, is telling of their priorities and reveals their lack of interest in the wellbeing of our people,’ she said.

According to her the DA has, over the course of this fiscal quarter, submitted questions to the North West Provincial Government regarding pressing issues such as the pit toilets in schools, the crucial vacancies in the health sector, as well as the general gross mismanagement of funds across the board, of which only 40 per cent have been responded to.

‘With this kind of track record, the least the failing ANC government can do is to proceed with sittings that deal with the issues we are faced with in this province. Clearly the people of North West need a government that will be responsive and accountable, said Theologo.