Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance on Sunday welcomed action by the Gauteng premier and a MEC on issues raised by the party.
“Gauteng economic development MEC Lebogang Maile has launched a forensic investigation into the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP),” DA MPL Janet Semple said in a statement.
In a letter to the DA, Maile agreed to investigate allegations of corruption and nepotism at the agency, and the forensic team seconded from the provincial treasury had already started its work, she said.
During a legislature portfolio committee on Friday, deputy director general Makhukhu Mampuru confirmed that the investigation had started, in the process painting a picture of an agency in crisis.
More than R100 million in loans had been unpaid for the past 10 years, the former CEO and chair both resigned in the past two months, targets were not being met, and beneficiaries were given letters confirming grants but none had been received.
“It is clear that the GEP is unable to support emerging businesses and to transform them into successful enterprises that provide jobs and make meaningful contributions to our economy,” Semple said.
A re-think of the GEP’s role was needed, and the economic development department should spend more time and effort concentrating on removing conditions that made it difficult to do business, and leave loans and mentoring to people and organisations who specialised in business start-ups.
Business owners needed a variety of skills to grow and remain competitive in a tough marketplace, and this gap would not be filled by throwing more money at the problem.
“While the DA anxiously awaits the outcome of the investigation, we will continue to engage with the MEC so as to reconsider the way the GEP goes about its business, and to transform it into an effective business development body,” Semple said.
Another DA MPL, Michele Clarke, said Gauteng premier David Makhura had committed government to improve living conditions for residents of Barcelona in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, by mid-2016.
This community was established 21 years ago, but despite mayoral visits and promises, many residents still had no access to basic services, such as electricity, water, and sanitation, she said.
The DA had raised the plight of the people with Makhura, and in a written response to questions in the legislature he had indicated that in collaboration with the Ekurhuleni metro, he had met the community and their concerns would be addressed.
This commitment was welcome news for a community which had been suffering under the yoke of poverty, crime, and drug abuse. It was also hoped that this would kick-start further opportunities to allow the area as a whole to prosper, Clarke said.
African News Agency