Party calls for removal of new economic board
THE DA in the Northern Cape has urged for the removal of the members of the Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Nceda), who were appointed this week, as the party believes that they are not eligible and are “ill-qualified” to serve on the board.
DA provincial spokesperson for Economic Affairs, Boitumelo Babuseng, stated that they would request the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism to remove the members of the board.
“Dr Lebogang Moremedi is the youth secretary for the SACP in the Province. A provincial office bearer of any political party is not permitted to serve on the entity’s board. All decisions made by him will be null and void. We will escalate the matter for investigation by the Public Protector if no steps are taken,” Babuseng said.
He added that the former deputy chairperson of the previous board, Fezile Kies, was part of a “dysfunctional leadership team”.
“The team oversaw an entity that did very little – and yet cost the Province a lot.
“Frikkie Witbooi has been recycled from the dysfunctional Northern Cape Liquor Board. At the time, liquor licences were freely approved without any compliance or enforcement,” said Babuseng.
He also stated that an “absentee chairperson” had been appointed as chief executive officer.
“The agency is better known for being embroiled in lengthy legal battles around the mismanagement of the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre, undertaking ill-planned ‘outbound missions’ with ill-defined benefits accruing to the Province and embarking on illegal escapades to the proposed special economic zone in Upington.”
Babuseng believes that the board members were appointed to fulfil political obligations, rather than promoting the interests of the Province and developing the economy.
“The new Nceda remains vulnerable to cronyism and corruption. Only those with the right political connections have been appointed.”
The spokesperson for the Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Zandisile Luphahla, pointed out that MEC Mac Jack had appointed members of calibre and expertise in law, governance, research and business.
“Dr Lebogang Moremedi hails from the mining town of Postmasburg, he is black and young. He is a specialist in public policy, land and agrarian reform and a doctor whose skills and expertise are much needed in the Province. The value he will add to the board surpasses any political consideration,” said Luphahla.
MEC Jack, meanwhile, has committed to allocate sufficient funds to the newly appointed board in order for it to execute its duties.
The new board, which will serve until 2023, has been tasked with addressing inequality, youth unemployment, growing the local economy and attracting investors.
Jack explained that the previous board was not able to execute its duties due to inadequate funding.