Lazy government officials to answer for failures

GOVERNMENT officials who fail to deliver on services were reflecting poorly on the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa and will be subjected to disciplinary action, warned KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development Sihle Zikalala.

Zikalala issued the warning when he and the provincial cabinet travelled to KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast yesterday in a charm offensive aimed at voters in the run-up to next year’s general elections.

Zikalala addressed the packed Mandawe Community Hall in Umdoni Municipality, saying he was visiting the area after he had heard complaints about the lack of service delivery in the rural area.

One resident related to Zikalala how he had become homeless after his house was demolished to make space for a development project.

He said a promise to build him another house elsewhere did not materialise.

The man said he was later arrested after he had taken building material from the company, which was running the development, in order to build himself a house.

“I doubt that President Ramaphosa is so heartless towards people, but just because there are officials (who do not do their work) Ramaphosa might end up being accused of being heartless,” he said

As the ANC provincial chairperson, Zikalala is in line to become the next premier after the general elections.

He said the ANC had been praised for its service delivery policies but the party was facing a challenge because of a lack of implementation.

“Now we are going to enforce implementation.

“Let me categorically state that officials who don’t perform their duties will now face disciplinary action.

“Everyone including officials should start taking responsibility and be answerable for their failures,” said Zikalala.

He called on the residents, who had raised concerns about the poor conditions of their roads, crime and unemployment, among other challenges, not to resort to protests to get attention from the authorities.

Ugu District deputy mayor Siphumlile Mthiyane apologised to the community members for the failure of government officials.

REVEREND Paddy Kearney, Bishop Tsietsi Seleoane and Reverend Alvin Sigamoney attend an Electoral Commission of South Africa briefing on next year’s elections, held with religious leaders at the Diakonia Centre in Durban yesterday. | NQOBILE MBONAMBI African News Agency (ANA)