New premier tells staff to deliver

NEWLY appointed KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu yesterday issued a warning to government employees, saying he would come down hard on lethargic workers to ensure they deliver.

Mr Mchunu was finally confirmed in the post yesterday, a month after former premier Zweli Mkhize quit to become ANC treasurer-general on a full-time basis.

Mr Mchunu, who is also chairman of the ANC in the province, said his first task would be to sort out the controversy over the closure of Durban’s 103-year-old McCord Hospital to ensure that it does not close its doors.

Earlier this week, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union obtained an interim court order preventing the hospital board from retrenching staff.

Mr Mchunu appealed to the different races, opposition parties, traditional and religious leaders to work together with the government to deliver essential services to the province’s poor.

He praised Mr Mkhize who he said had helped curb overspending in the province and provided leadership in the critical war against HIV/AIDS.

Blessed Gwala of the Inkatha Freedom Party said: “He has to be the premier of the whole province rather than that of the ANC. The second challenge would be to bring consistency in service delivery. In the past they often talked about programmes this year and next they bring out entirely new programmes.”

His sentiments were echoed by Democratic Alliance leader Sizwe Mchunu. “We challenge the ANC to commit to a new era — which puts the needs of the people first and no longer tolerates inferior service delivery or corruption and maladministration on any level.”