Ministerial team sent to troubled North West

A TASK team of ministers has been mandated by the cabinet to visit the North West‚ as national government tries to restore normality to the province where protest action flared up this week.

In a statement‚ the cabinet said it had “deliberated on the unstable situation that has unfolded in North West‚ which has affected a number of services‚ particularly health services” and approved two interventions to restore stability.

“While noting the concerns that were raised by communities‚ the cabinet strongly condemns the acts of violence‚ looting and destruction of property that accompanied protests in some areas of the province.”

Its task team – comprising the ministers of Planning‚ Monitoring and Evaluation (as convener); Health; Finance; Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs‚ as well as the Justice‚ Crime Prevention and Security cluster of ministers – is expected to submit a report in two weeks’ time.

Earlier yesterday‚ it was reported that the North West provincial departments of treasury and of health had been placed under administration.

The protest actions in the province are linked to calls for North West premier Supra Mahumapelo to resign.

The National Education‚ Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has also been striking since February‚ calling for outsourced cleaners and workers to be hired by the provincial health department. —