Johannesburg -
The ANC in Gauteng has opened two state-of-the-art hospitals in Gauteng and invested millions to develop ailing township economies.
This was the ANC response to the DA’s scorecard released this week in which it depicted the ruling party’s MECs as being unsuitable for the job.
But the ANC’s deputy chief whip in the legislature, Thokozile Magagula, disagreed with the assessment.
She said the scorecard revealed a lack of political depth within the ranks of the official opposition.
“The latest gimmick by the DA is an indication that they are not in keeping with the sentiments expressed by the people of Gauteng in appreciating the work done by the provincial government as indicated by the Quality of Life Survey,” Magagula said.
She said the ANC-led government welcomed constructive criticism that added value to its service delivery programme.
Magagula said:
“In Gauteng, the ANC is building an activist government that promotes activist citizenry; the MECs are spending a lot of time on the ground going to service delivery points and interacting with communities that have concerns.”
She cited a list of ANC initiatives that she felt made a difference in people’s lives.
“A total of 19 departments and entities achieved clean audits in the 2013/14 financial year, which is an indication of the improvement in strengthening financial management. This improvement in financial management has resulted in improved service delivery.”
She said the ANC had set up an e-toll review panel to assess the socio-economic impact of e-tolls on Gauteng residents.
Magagula said the panel had been well received by all.
“The establishment of the Diepsloot SMME incubation hub and the township economy revitalisation initiative demonstrates the commitment by the ANC-led government in building an inclusive economy. The township economy revitalisation programme has received overwhelming support from communities in Gauteng.
“We welcome the opening of the new Natalspruit and Jabulani hospitals as part of the commitment to improve access to quality healthcare. We are on course to create employment and improve the quality of life for the people of Gauteng,” she said.
Magagula described the DA’s scorecard as a reflection of its failure to acknowledge progress made by the provincial government.
ANC provincial spokesman Dumisa Ntuli echoed Magagula’s sentiments, saying the scorecard was based on “the subjective whims, feelings and bias of the DA”.
The Star