Makhura backs cadre deployment

702 02.07.2014 Gauetng premier David Makhura, speaks during a sitting at the Gauteng legislature. Bottom left seats of the picture belonging to the were seen empty Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), were seen vacant as none of the EFF MPL’s show-up at today’s sitting. Picture: Itumeleng English

702 02.07.2014 Gauetng premier David Makhura, speaks during a sitting at the Gauteng legislature. Bottom left seats of the picture belonging to the were seen empty Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), were seen vacant as none of the EFF MPL’s show-up at today’s sitting. Picture: Itumeleng English

Published Jul 3, 2014

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Johannesburg - Gauteng Premier David Makhura has defended the ANC against claims of corruption, cronyism and cadre deployment by the DA in the Gauteng legislature.

Makhura said cronyism, corruption and cadre deployment were not inherent in the ANC, but conceded that certain individuals in his party could be linked to acts of corruption.

“It has happened, but it is not the policy of the ANC. I have seen it from outside, but it cannot be associated with the ANC,” Makhura said.

He said there were similar individuals within the DA, but that acts could not be “associated with the DA”.

The DA and ANC gave contradictory versions of cadre deployment.

Makhura said cadre deployment in his party was the identification of people with the best skills, who were then prepared and assigned tasks.

However, the DA claims incompetence and ANC membership were the priority requirements.

Makhura’s defence came after several DA leaders told Makhura during the debate on his State of the Province Address that his plans to improve the economy would be hindered by acts of corruption.

DA leaders Jack Bloom and Mike Moriarty said huge tenders to build hospitals and other government projects were given to incompetent people.

Bloom singled out the delay in the opening of the new Natalspruit Hospital, which had been under construction for the past seven years.

Moriarty escalated his attack on MEC for Economic Development Lebogang Maile.

“MEC Maile presides over a billion rand to achieve all this. But I wonder if this government realises that the people of Gauteng are not getting value for money from the Gauteng Growth Development Agency, the Gauteng Liquor Board and certainly not the Gauteng Economic Propeller,” Moriarty said.

He said that while Makhura had committed himself to the creation of jobs, he had “chosen in MEC Maile the wrong man to do it”.

“My view is that unless you change this MEC, you will fail in your quest to bring a better life to the people of Gauteng.”

Makhura disagreed, saying Maile had outlined plans to build non-racial communities in Gauteng.

“We are absolutely committed to build Gauteng into a city-region that is socially cohesive, economically inclusive and a leading economy characterised by state-of-the-art social and economic infrastructure.”

 

He also made a commitment to ensure that all small businesses providing services to the government would be paid within 30 days.

“We know that, as government, we have not been paying service providers on time. As part of our contribution to growing and developing small business sector, we are going to ensure there is greater enforcement in the payment of service providers within 30 days,” Makhura pledged.

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The Star

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