The Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane, must fire Local Government and Housing MEC, Humphrey Mmemezi, for apparently misleading the Gauteng Legislature about the accident damage to his official vehicle.
According to a press report today, the BMW in which Mmemezi had an accident in November 2011 in the Eastern Cape, will be auctioned off. Of concern is a comment by one of his department’s officials that the vehicle is not in mechanical running order which will affect the price that can be obtained for the vehicle at an auction.
This is despite a written response to my formal question in the Gauteng Legislature earlier this year in which Mmemezi indicated that the vehicle was in “good condition, except the left rear door”. He repeated these claims in the legislature during oral question time in March this year.
However, it has now transpired that the vehicle has sustained much more damage than revealed by the MEC. He also gave the impression that all was in order with the accident report and that the insurance claim will be dealt with through administrative procedures in his department. The question remains, why has the car not yet been repaired by the insurance six months after the crash?
The MEC has ducked my follow-up questions to him by continuously requesting extensions in answering them. These questions requested more details about the accident, the accident report and the insurance claim. Now it is clear why he has been ducking these questions.
The MEC has had ample opportunity to come clean about the accident but has not done so, therefore the Premier has no choice but to fire him as she did with her former Agriculture MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko when her vehicle was stolen. The precedent has been set by the Premier and she must act consistently.
The DA will continue to demand answers about the crash from the MEC and his department and will maintain pressure on the Premier to fire the MEC.
Showing posts with label fred nel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fred nel. Show all posts
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Extract from a Speech in Reply to Premier's State of the Province Address
In the Premier’s speech with regards local government, not only was nothing new on offer for local government in our province, the Premier ignored it almost in total. Apart from mentioning a single local government system, the merger of the Kungwini, Nokeng tsa Taemane and Metsweding municipalities with the Tshwane metro as well as the Joburg billing crisis, the premier offered no insight into the future of local government in Gauteng.
I do however welcome the Premier’s acknowledgement that the Joburg billing crisis is indeed a “crisis” despite her colleague the Mayor refusing to acknowledge it as such. What I also missed is the detail on local government going forward with vision 2055. A number of questions hang in the air.
1. What happened to the two new cities that the ANC’s provincial secretary alluded to when he announced vision 2055?
2. What will the single local government system look like?
3. How will municipalities link into the Gauteng Spatial Development Framework?
4. What is the future of the Gauteng City Region and what will it look like?
The Premier had a golden opportunity to address the financial woes of municipalities as well as the lack of critical skills that hamper service delivery, probably the two biggest problems in local government today. However, she decided to focus only on what can best be described as election promises.
Once again I would like to repeat that we can solve the problems experienced by local government by doing three things, namely:
1. Restore proper financial management in our municipalities;
2. Appoint qualified officials in specialized posts; and
3. Eradicate external political influence to allow Mayors to make independent, transparent and accountable decisions in the best interest of their municipalities.
I believe that the main focal point of the department should be to restore service delivery by restoring proper financial management and controls in municipalities. Without money municipalities will not be able to deliver the services expected of them. We need skilled, professional career local government officials and not deployed cadres which leads to tender and other forms of corruption. We need people in positions that can do the work and as Cape town has proven, this can be achieved while empowering those previously disadvantaged South Africans.”
Monday, 12 October 2009
GETTING RID OF PROVINCES WILL BE ADMISSION OF ANC FAILURE
Some positive news recently emerged after DA Leader and Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille, met with President Jacob Zuma. This was that provinces are not in the immediate firing line of the ANC Government. However, Zuma’s assurances did not close the door on either the debate or the possibility of provinces disappearing in the future. He just indicated that provinces were here to stay for the time being and that he will inform other parties when this changes. Thus it can be argued that the door is still wide open on the issue.
A further sign that the door is still wide open on the future of provinces is the fact that Constitutional Amendment 17 is still on the table. This amendment will give central government the power to intervene in the executive decision making of municipal councils should it experience resistance to the execution of its centrally formulated schemes. Power, I would suggest, paving the way for the abolition of provinces and regulating a centralised relationship between national and local government.
Should provinces be abolished in the future it will lead to an over centralisation of power and it will effectively erode South Africa’s Constitution to such an extent that it will impede the freedom its citizens are enjoying currently. There will be less accountability by Government as central government will become extremely big and inaccessible. Local government, even though it might enjoy more powers, will just become even more derelict in service delivery as it will not be able to deal with the added responsibilities. It already struggles with its current mandate how will it deal with current provincial powers being devolved to it in future?
It seems as if, technically, Jacob Zuma was honest with HelenZille when he said that provinces will remain for the time being. However, I do not believe he was totally honest about the ANC’s plans for provinces once “for the time being” has expired. I still firmly believe that provinces are still very much in the firing line of the ANC government. The main argument will be that provinces are a “stone in the river” slowing down the flow of resources necessary for proper service delivery.
This argument does not hold water as the flow of resources can be accelerated through proper and capable management and management systems and procedures. The argument does inherently come down to an admission by the ANC that it is unable to govern provinces. An inherent admission that the ANC failed despite hailing their successes during every election campaign. The ANC does not seem able to manage within any type of system that is not centrally controlled (i.e. control freaking).
So, beware the debate about provinces are still a very hot issue and we should not become complacent based on “technically honest” assurances. We cannot go forward on assurances, what we need is a commitment from President Zuma that provinces should stay, we need a totally honest stance before we can become assured.
A further sign that the door is still wide open on the future of provinces is the fact that Constitutional Amendment 17 is still on the table. This amendment will give central government the power to intervene in the executive decision making of municipal councils should it experience resistance to the execution of its centrally formulated schemes. Power, I would suggest, paving the way for the abolition of provinces and regulating a centralised relationship between national and local government.
Should provinces be abolished in the future it will lead to an over centralisation of power and it will effectively erode South Africa’s Constitution to such an extent that it will impede the freedom its citizens are enjoying currently. There will be less accountability by Government as central government will become extremely big and inaccessible. Local government, even though it might enjoy more powers, will just become even more derelict in service delivery as it will not be able to deal with the added responsibilities. It already struggles with its current mandate how will it deal with current provincial powers being devolved to it in future?
It seems as if, technically, Jacob Zuma was honest with HelenZille when he said that provinces will remain for the time being. However, I do not believe he was totally honest about the ANC’s plans for provinces once “for the time being” has expired. I still firmly believe that provinces are still very much in the firing line of the ANC government. The main argument will be that provinces are a “stone in the river” slowing down the flow of resources necessary for proper service delivery.
This argument does not hold water as the flow of resources can be accelerated through proper and capable management and management systems and procedures. The argument does inherently come down to an admission by the ANC that it is unable to govern provinces. An inherent admission that the ANC failed despite hailing their successes during every election campaign. The ANC does not seem able to manage within any type of system that is not centrally controlled (i.e. control freaking).
So, beware the debate about provinces are still a very hot issue and we should not become complacent based on “technically honest” assurances. We cannot go forward on assurances, what we need is a commitment from President Zuma that provinces should stay, we need a totally honest stance before we can become assured.
Thursday, 18 June 2009
18 June 2009 - The Gautrain Visit!
The visit was very interesting and impressive. It started out at the Gautrain headquarters in Linbro Park where we received a safety induction. After the induction we were presented with a slide show about the project and its progress. According to the presenter they are ahead of their schedule to finish the rail link.
After the presentation and a number of questions we were issued with safety shoes, reflector jackets and hard hats and were put on a bus which headed to the Gautrain depot in Midrand. The depot is where the trains are stored, assembled, tested (each train must complete 3000 test hours before it can be commissioned) and maintained. Very well equipped. Currently the site also accommodates the concrete casting works for the viaduct parts. This part will be converted to a bus depot for the Gautrain buses.
After arriving at the depot we had another safety briefing (they are really very safety conscious) and were taken off to the stores where the trains are being kept. As you can see from the photographs we were able to inspect the trains close up and were explained how the driver controls work. Very high tech stuff. There were (obviously) opportunities for pictures and questions to the resident experts. All the while being watched closely by the security guards. Unfortunately we couldn’t get onto a moving train but did see them running up and down the test track. These trains achieve 160 km/h (they achieved this yesterday and today – the engineers are very chuffed!), really quick.
Also interesting are the track inspection vehicles. Three Land Rovers fitted with track wheels (small train wheels) that engage once they are on the track and then inspect the tracks to make sure the trains can use them safely. Good to know they are doing this because it would not be fun crashing in one of these trains at a 160 km/h!!
The trains run on electricity which they get from 25 KVA (25 000 volt!) overhead lines – it was made clear to us a number of times that should you touch the overhead wire, it will be the only time you will get to do it – you will end up a small heap of carbon if you do.
Well, enough about trains – check out my pics and the website for more interesting stuff.
NOW ABOUT MY WEEKEND AHEAD
If you thought us politicians do a weekday, daytime only job, think again. Yes, another weekend full of politics. Quite a significant one actually.
On Friday afternoon it is off to Cape Town where I will attend my last ADAC (Association of DA Councillors) National Council meeting (see www.adac.co.za for more info about ADAC). On Saturday my successor will be elected after I make a presentation about the ADAC strategy and our future training approach. I am really sad to leave ADAC as it has been such an enriching experience and probably one of the best positions you can ever occupy in politics. However, I am now an MPL and therefore have to move on as new challenges await me.
Soon after making my presentation on Saturday morning it is back to Gauteng and off to Kwa Ndaba where our caucus (DA Gauteng Provincial Caucus) will be having our first bosberaad (team building and strategy formulation meeting). On Sunday it is back home.
I am particularly also looking forward to Monday when I will have my first portfolio committee meeting. Come back on Monday evening or Tuesday to read more about what goes on in such a committee.
Enjoy your weekend! I hope I can catch the end of the Springboks vs. British and Irish Lions test. Go Bokke!!
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Thursday 11 June 2009 - My Maiden Speech
After the freezing junket at the opening of the legislature in Kliptown, Soweto, it is back to the more high tech and comfortable Gauteng Provincial Legislature building in the centre of Johannesburg. Today we debate the Premier's fiery State of the Province speech that she delivered in Kliptown.
I, together with a few of my colleagues, were given the opportunity to deliver our maiden speeches during the two day debate. Today it was Mike Moriarty, Myself and Bev Abrahams delivering our maiden speeches. On Friday, Khume Ramulifho and Gavin Lewis delivered their maiden speeches.
I was quite nervous, but once I got into my stride it was OK. I can't wait to give my next speech. For interest sake, here is my maiden speech.
SPEECH BY FRED NEL MPL DA GAUTENG SPOKESPERSON ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN REPLY TO THE PREMIER’S STATE OF THE PROVINCE SPEECH
GAUTENG PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE
THURSDAY 11 JUNE 2009 AT 10:00
EMBARGO: DELIVERY
Honourable Speaker, having been a councillor until recently I have experienced firsthand the challenges faced by municipalities in our province. I was therefore thankful to hear that the Premier committed the Province to improve local government delivery and finances in her State of the Province speech.
Speaker, the Premier summed it up correctly when she indicated that “Fraud and corruption is eating into the moral fibre of our society.” This makes me hopeful that corruption and maladministration will finally be addressed with the necessary intent. I believe the Premier’s first test will be to address the allegations of wrongdoing at the Nokeng Tsa Taemane (Cullinan) municipality where political leaders used Council credit cards like their own piggy banks in contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act. The way issues like these are dealt with will set the real tone of how corruption and maladministration is dealt with by this administration.
Speaker, the Premier’s promise to strengthen local government structures and ward committees and to empower councillors is commendable provided that action follows words this time around. However, the DA must warn against creating unrealistic expectations with regards the powers of individual ward councillors.
Ward councillors do not have the power or means to respond to the issues raised by the communities they serve, even though they would like to. Community issues relating to housing, roads, infrastructure, community safety and even speed bumps are addressed collectively at Council level. Leaving ward councillors at the mercy of the municipality to accommodate such issues in the IDP and within a reasonable time frame.
Ward councillors can only be empowered by providing them with ward-based budgets which they in conjunction with ward committees can allocate to respond quickly to issues raised by communities. This will also increase the relevance of ward committees who are discouraged due to their limited powers and influence.
Madam Speaker, community development workers (CDW’s) are currently a source of conflict in wards. They are appointed by province but are seen as interfering with the work of ward councillors. Their lack of accountability to local government causes further suspicion about their role among ward councillors. Whether it is fair to saddle municipalities with the additional financial and managerial burden of CDW’s initiated and owned by Province remains debatable. The concept of CDW’s requires a serious re-think, and this time ward councillors should be involved in such discussions.
Speaker the DA is delighted that Province is assisting local governments to become sustainable and viable entities. The collection of consumer debt has been a major problem for the past eight and a half years since the new system of local government was implemented. Municipalities lack the management capacity to ensure that consumer debt is collected and in many instances they make use of ineffective and expensive methods to try and recoup the debt owed by their debtors.
According to figures released by Treasury last week municipalities in Gauteng are collectively owed R 24,9 billion by consumer debtors. R 20 billion of this debt is older than 90 days which is confirmation of serious management deficiencies in collecting revenues. This impact negatively on cash flow which in turn impacts a municipality’s ability to deliver services.
The DA has calculated that if only a third of this debt could be recovered it would fund the increases that were proposed by municipalities in Gauteng for the 2009/10 financial year.
Speaker it is also the DA’s view that the MEC for Local Government and the Premier should carefully consider municipal budgets submitted for approval. Within the current economic climate municipal budgets that propose higher than inflation increases are immoral and borders on being criminal. The DA is understands that increases from suppliers have to be accommodated, but we can’t understand why municipalities would increase their margins on water and electricity at the same time.
Municipal budgets should be recession friendly and the DA calls on the MEC and Premier to consider the economic impact of the proposed increases by municipalities on the Province’s economy before rubber stamping them.
As a Province we need to remain competitive in national and international markets to attract investment in order to create jobs and promote economic growth in our Province. Municipal tariff structures play a crucial role in promoting this competitiveness. Municipal tariffs also contribute to inflation and increases input costs for industries in our province.
In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the DA welcomes the intention of the Premier to improve local government in our province and we will judge her by the outcomes resulting from her promises. The DA will play a constructive role in the process to improve local government in our Province and we look forward to starting with this process.
Thank You
I, together with a few of my colleagues, were given the opportunity to deliver our maiden speeches during the two day debate. Today it was Mike Moriarty, Myself and Bev Abrahams delivering our maiden speeches. On Friday, Khume Ramulifho and Gavin Lewis delivered their maiden speeches.
I was quite nervous, but once I got into my stride it was OK. I can't wait to give my next speech. For interest sake, here is my maiden speech.
SPEECH BY FRED NEL MPL DA GAUTENG SPOKESPERSON ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN REPLY TO THE PREMIER’S STATE OF THE PROVINCE SPEECH
GAUTENG PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE
THURSDAY 11 JUNE 2009 AT 10:00
EMBARGO: DELIVERY
Honourable Speaker, having been a councillor until recently I have experienced firsthand the challenges faced by municipalities in our province. I was therefore thankful to hear that the Premier committed the Province to improve local government delivery and finances in her State of the Province speech.
Speaker, the Premier summed it up correctly when she indicated that “Fraud and corruption is eating into the moral fibre of our society.” This makes me hopeful that corruption and maladministration will finally be addressed with the necessary intent. I believe the Premier’s first test will be to address the allegations of wrongdoing at the Nokeng Tsa Taemane (Cullinan) municipality where political leaders used Council credit cards like their own piggy banks in contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act. The way issues like these are dealt with will set the real tone of how corruption and maladministration is dealt with by this administration.
Speaker, the Premier’s promise to strengthen local government structures and ward committees and to empower councillors is commendable provided that action follows words this time around. However, the DA must warn against creating unrealistic expectations with regards the powers of individual ward councillors.
Ward councillors do not have the power or means to respond to the issues raised by the communities they serve, even though they would like to. Community issues relating to housing, roads, infrastructure, community safety and even speed bumps are addressed collectively at Council level. Leaving ward councillors at the mercy of the municipality to accommodate such issues in the IDP and within a reasonable time frame.
Ward councillors can only be empowered by providing them with ward-based budgets which they in conjunction with ward committees can allocate to respond quickly to issues raised by communities. This will also increase the relevance of ward committees who are discouraged due to their limited powers and influence.
Madam Speaker, community development workers (CDW’s) are currently a source of conflict in wards. They are appointed by province but are seen as interfering with the work of ward councillors. Their lack of accountability to local government causes further suspicion about their role among ward councillors. Whether it is fair to saddle municipalities with the additional financial and managerial burden of CDW’s initiated and owned by Province remains debatable. The concept of CDW’s requires a serious re-think, and this time ward councillors should be involved in such discussions.
Speaker the DA is delighted that Province is assisting local governments to become sustainable and viable entities. The collection of consumer debt has been a major problem for the past eight and a half years since the new system of local government was implemented. Municipalities lack the management capacity to ensure that consumer debt is collected and in many instances they make use of ineffective and expensive methods to try and recoup the debt owed by their debtors.
According to figures released by Treasury last week municipalities in Gauteng are collectively owed R 24,9 billion by consumer debtors. R 20 billion of this debt is older than 90 days which is confirmation of serious management deficiencies in collecting revenues. This impact negatively on cash flow which in turn impacts a municipality’s ability to deliver services.
The DA has calculated that if only a third of this debt could be recovered it would fund the increases that were proposed by municipalities in Gauteng for the 2009/10 financial year.
Speaker it is also the DA’s view that the MEC for Local Government and the Premier should carefully consider municipal budgets submitted for approval. Within the current economic climate municipal budgets that propose higher than inflation increases are immoral and borders on being criminal. The DA is understands that increases from suppliers have to be accommodated, but we can’t understand why municipalities would increase their margins on water and electricity at the same time.
Municipal budgets should be recession friendly and the DA calls on the MEC and Premier to consider the economic impact of the proposed increases by municipalities on the Province’s economy before rubber stamping them.
As a Province we need to remain competitive in national and international markets to attract investment in order to create jobs and promote economic growth in our Province. Municipal tariff structures play a crucial role in promoting this competitiveness. Municipal tariffs also contribute to inflation and increases input costs for industries in our province.
In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the DA welcomes the intention of the Premier to improve local government in our province and we will judge her by the outcomes resulting from her promises. The DA will play a constructive role in the process to improve local government in our Province and we look forward to starting with this process.
Thank You
Tuesday 9 June 2009 - The Soweto Sitting
It is a freezing Tuesday morning in Kliptown in Soweto and we attended the official opening of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (yes another one). The main event was the Premier's State of the Province speech.
Kliptown is a significant place in South African history as it is the place where the ANC held its Congress of the People and adopted the famous Freedom Charter. You can Google it for more information.
Arriving at the venue was a bit of a mission because of all the closed roads, luckily I had my accreditation and a firendly metro police man gave me parking in front of the venue.
The MPL's (i.e. us) had to sit outside in the freezing wind while the VIP's had a nice comfortable wait inside the main tent (erected for the event). Well all but Fred. I was freezing my butt off so I joined the VIP's in the tent.
This usually marks the official opening of the Legislature despite us having had a few sittings beforehand. The purpose of the event is for the Premier to indicate her programme for delivery and her style of government since this is her first State of the Province speech of her term.
The Premier gave a lively and fiery speech full of promise, light on substance, but reminiscent of DA policy!! The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Her actions must now match her promises, which I think may not be that easy. But let's wait and see.
Tuesday, 05 May 2009
5 May 2009 - The Mock Sitting
As I indicated yesterday, today we had our mock sitting. We basically sat in the auditorium got lectures on the basics of the rules of the house and the cute little touch screens that we use, once they work fully, for all kind of stuff.
The mock sitting ended with a run down of tomorrow's inauguration/ swearing in procedures. The nice thing about the mock sitting was that we were able to get used to our seats in the legislature. I am sitting between Mike Moriarty and Bev Abrahams and have Thomas Walters, Paul Willemburg, Solly Nkhi, Khumi Ramulifho, Neill Campbell and Gavin Lewis in close proximity - oh and off course chief whip Glenda Steyn! I already feel at home in the house and am looking forward to the first real debate.
Things are moving fast now. Today I got a parking space (with my name on it!), access card, office allocation as well as my portfolios. I will be spokesperson on local government (my first choice - yeah!) and deputy spokesperson on public transport, roads and stormwater (could have been worse!). I look forward to my exciting and challenging two portfolios and I think I will be having a lot of fun with them.
As I said tomorrow it is our formal swearing in (as Paul said today he loves swearing!) and after that we will hopefully get our programmes and start working proper.
I still have to deal with the admin around the medical aid transition and as well as my cellphone porting (i must choose a handset on Friday - these choices are killing me!).
Tomorrow will be the inauguration edition!!!
The mock sitting ended with a run down of tomorrow's inauguration/ swearing in procedures. The nice thing about the mock sitting was that we were able to get used to our seats in the legislature. I am sitting between Mike Moriarty and Bev Abrahams and have Thomas Walters, Paul Willemburg, Solly Nkhi, Khumi Ramulifho, Neill Campbell and Gavin Lewis in close proximity - oh and off course chief whip Glenda Steyn! I already feel at home in the house and am looking forward to the first real debate.
Things are moving fast now. Today I got a parking space (with my name on it!), access card, office allocation as well as my portfolios. I will be spokesperson on local government (my first choice - yeah!) and deputy spokesperson on public transport, roads and stormwater (could have been worse!). I look forward to my exciting and challenging two portfolios and I think I will be having a lot of fun with them.
As I said tomorrow it is our formal swearing in (as Paul said today he loves swearing!) and after that we will hopefully get our programmes and start working proper.
I still have to deal with the admin around the medical aid transition and as well as my cellphone porting (i must choose a handset on Friday - these choices are killing me!).
Tomorrow will be the inauguration edition!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)