Alliance partner urges Northern Cape premier to reverse her reshuffle decision
COSATU has urged Premier Sylvia Lucas to obey the orders of the newly elected ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and to reverse her provincial cabinet reshuffle before the set deadline at the end of the week.
Cosatu provincial secretary Anele Gxoyiya stated that while they were championing the fight against corruption, they were convinced that the reshuffle was “purely factional”.
Lucas this week indicated that, with a “clear and honest conscience”, she “did not concede to the request made by the officials” to reverse her decision.
She made a commitment to “consult with all the relevant stakeholders and legislative prescripts before making a decision on the matter”.
Thereafter her decision will be communicated to the officials.
Gxoyiya stated that the president had committed the same mistake when he reshuffled his cabinet.
“This led him into apologising and undertaking not to do it again. This alone underlines the extent to which the premier undermines the ANC-led alliance that deployed her to that office.”
Gxoyiya urged the premier to disclose the reasons for the provincial cabinet reshuffle.
He further stated that senior municipal officials, who should have been charged criminally for financial misconduct and non-compliance with supply chain management processes, were given immunity, while the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs had “deliberately withheld” a report into the investigation into Phokwane Municipality. “When we marched on May Day to demand the Phokwane report and the intensification of the fight against corruption, no one was available to receive the memorandum.”
Gxoyiya stated that two consulting companies were appointed to conduct a turnaround strategy for the Department of Health as well as the proper management of Road Accident Fund claims.
“Cabinet refused to endorse these two companies that were appointed without following the proper procure- ment procedures.”
He pointed out that Mac Jack was unceremoniously removed as MEC for the Department of Health before the anti-corruption task team, which he had launched, had concluded its investigations.
“The anti-corruption task team uncovered a lot of irregularities that led to many corrupt officials being caught out.
“Jack exercised oversight in terms of spending patterns and accountability, when he was transferred to the Provincial Treasury, now he is alleged to be corrupt. If the Hawks are to do a thorough job in the fight against corruption, they must visit the departments and investigate all tenders that were awarded during his term of office and see where corruption is and who the mastermind behind these contracts is.”
Gxoyiya said that it was a “colossal lie” that any money was stolen to fund the ANC provincial elective conference.