Morgues chaos shows DA misrule

THE comments by Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo in your article “Morgues struggle as bodies pile up” (Cape Argus, October 19) is the clearest indication yet that the DA administration is completely out of touch with reality.

Mbombo stated that she “would love to have the Minister of Police next to her to help quell the situation in our gang-ravaged areas like Marikana”.

As far back as October 8, Police Minister Fikile Mbalula provided a cogent response to a similar attack on him by DA leader Mmusi Maimane.

Mbalula stated at the time: “Mmusi will know, if he cared to visit Marikana that in Marikana there is no electricity or streets which, in the main, are the basic things that allow proper policing.

“Therefore I expect Mmusi and his government to provide these basic services to people instead of leading from conference podiums.”

Mbalula stressed that “it is a collective responsibility for elected representatives to do everything in their power to liberate South Africans from socio-economic challenges, instead of seeking to score cheap political points”.

He further stated: “I can confirm to Mmusi that in the centre of grievances from the people of Marikana was bad lighting which is the competency of local government.

“I must remind Mmusi that Marikana falls in the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality, under the government of the DA, which he leads.”

Mbalula also referred to a recent order by the Western Cape High Court that “the City had to purchase the privately-owned land where Marikana is situated to bring much-needed service delivery to 60 000 residents. But the City has decided to appeal against this ruling that will bring much relief to the people of Marikana”.

There really is no point in the DA boasting that it has a two thirds majority when it keeps on blaming its perennial failures in the city and province on the ANC national government.

Instead of wasting taxpayers’ money on tea parties, the DA administration should use the public funds allocated to it by National Treasury to fulfil its core mandate.

The party must address the socio-economic degradation and serial lack of basic service delivery on the Cape Flats that give rise to social ills, violent crime, the abuse of drugs and gangsterism. COLIN ARENDSE Wynberg