PREMIER MABUZA CALLS ON MAYORS TO STAY FOCUSED ON DELIVERING SERVICES AND NOT BE DETRACTED BY POLITICAL OPPONENTS
09 February 2015
Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza has called on the mayors in the province to stay focused on delivering service during the remainder of their term of office and should be vigilant not be destructed by their political opponents who are eyeing their positions as the local government elections were drawing closer.
Mabuza was speaking at a Premier’s Coordination Forum [PCF] in Mbombela this morning [Monday, 09 February 2015] attended by the municipalities, government departments and relevant parastatals.
The Premier said the local government leaders would soon be taking their last mile of their journey as mayors and prior the local government elections, they would be challenged and possibly end up being distracted from focusing on delivering the services.
“We would like to call on this leadership to stay focused, soon you will be challenged internally or external the ruling party. When that time comes, you should not collapse because people out there will still be expecting you to deliver the services.
“There will be orchestrated service delivery protests, in most cases your political opponents will exploit the practical things that will provoke our people to be angry and you may end up loosing focus. Remember you are working on a contested terrain.
“As the leaders in the local government sphere, we must be able to close that gap. I expect you to be humble to the people at all time. You will be pushed to the limit, but there is no excuse to explode, maintain your calm and continue working for the people,” said Mabuza.
He added that the mayors needed to prepare themselves well and be honest with the people by conceding failure and acknowledging success whey they had excelled.
“We must go down to the people and respond to the issues they raise. We must be honest and tell the people where we have done well, but at the same time we must also tell the people where we have failed since the government cannot be everywhere because of the limited resources.
“We must go down to the people and respond to the issues they raise. We must be honest and tell the people where we have done well, but at the same time we must also tell the people where we have failed since the government cannot be everywhere because of the limited resources.
He called on the mayors to constantly interact with the people in order to avoid service delivery protests as it was used as a last resort to get attention from the local government. He said they should not be afraid to address the people but should continuously interact with them.
“You better save the ship because if it drowns, all of us will drown. Remember, when we go, you will also go,” said Mabuza.
During the meeting, it was stated that only two municipalities [Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and Ehlanzeni District Municiaplity] that received clean audit reports from the Auditor-General.
At least five municipalities [Mbombela, Nkangala, Govan Mbeki, Dipaliseng and Lekwa] received unqualified audit reports. Another nine received qualified audit reports and they are; Chief Albert Luthuli, Gert Sibande District, D Pixley KaIsaka, Victor Khanye, Thembisile Hani, Dr J S Moroka, Umjindi, Bushbuckridge and Nkomazi.
At least four municipalities [Thaba Chweu, Emalahleni, Emakhazeni and Mkhondo] received the disclaimers. An audit report was not done on Msukaligwa as the municipality did not submit the financial statements.
The Premier nevertheless took time to commend Lekwa Municipality for the improved audit outcomes as it moved from the disclaimer in 2011/2012 to a qualified report in 2012/2013 and it received an unqualified report in the 2013/2014.
Another local municipality that was commended during the meeting was Dipaliseng that moved from qualified reports in 2011/2012 and 2012 to 2013 and it received an unqualified audit outcome in the 2013/2014.
Issued by Zibonele Mncwango
Spokesperson: Mpumalanga Premier
Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Office of the Premier
Tel: (013) 766 2453
Mobile: 079 491 0163
E-mail: zmncwango@mpg.gov.za OR zibonelemncwango@gmail.com