UDM News & Events Calendar - United Democratic Movement

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24 Jul, 2014

Eastern Cape: Budget vote Provincial Treasury

Speech by Mr Mhlati, leader of the UDM in the Eastern Cape Legislature Honourable Speaker, Honourable Premier and Executive, Honourable Members and government officials I would like to express a word of appreciation to the former MEC for Finance and Treasury for the wonderful work he did during his tenure to uplift the standard of performance by Treasury as stipulated in Section 18 of the Public Finance Management Act. Treasury has succeeded in assisting the various Departments to manage the financial resources of the Province in full compliance of the provisions of the PFMA and Treasury Regulations. If the Department was a plane I would say the pilot can just put it on auto flight because it can now cruise on its own without manual assistance. The only outstanding matter which I would like treasury to take up with the office of the premier up to Pretoria is the upgrading of the salary scales of the internal auditors so that they can be attracted to work for the government. The endeavours made by treasury to assist the municipalities in their financial management issues as required by the provisions of the Municipal Finance Management Act is being hampered by the failure of the Municipalities to appoint personnel with the requisite skills and qualifications for the positions as required in terms of the provisions of the Municipal Systems Act. It is high time that the Honourable MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs working together with the Premier of the province should address the political instability in Municipalities which have a negative effect on the performance of the Municipalities. Even if we can work together without changing the working environment in Municipalities we will never move South Africa forward. They are the centres for service delivery to our people. Treasury had canvassed us to encourage civil servants to take early pension before we do that he must show us the commitment that people who exit the civil service are paid their exit benefits within a month of leaving the service. Some people have died waiting for the payment of their benefits. In every budget funds for the payment of these benefits should be ring-fenced in each Department as most of the people who are going on retirement are well known within the Department. A word of appreciation also goes to the chairperson of this committee for inviting all chairpersons to be present at the meeting of the Committee when dealing with transversal matters. I think that the exposure has opened the minds of the Honourable Members on how the funds of the Province are handled. However, there appears to be a need for a workshop to be conducted among the members on how the budget of the Province is being crafted up to the last stage to avoid unplanned requests for increases towards the end of the process. The UDM fully supports the report of the Committee and its recommendations. I thank you

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24 Jul, 2014

Multi-Party Forum’s comment on appeal lodged by IEC Chairperson Pansy Tlakula

Statement issued by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP – UDM President and Chairperson of the Multi-Party Forum We confirm that we yesterday received court papers as submitted with the Constitutional Court by the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Advocate Pansy Tlakula. We have filed our answering papers. The political parties that are part of this action will be guided by the Constitutional Court and we hope that the matter will reach conclusion as soon as possible. In the meantime, we call on the Electoral Commission to deal decisively with the other recommendations of the Public Protector, amongst others that: • the disciplinary processes be started against all staff members who were fingered in Advocated Madonsela’s report; • the lease agreement, found dubious by no less than three independent and credible institutions, be cancelled. The Commission’s indecisiveness, regarding the implementation of the Public Protector’s findings and recommendation, make us doubt their commitment to the promotion of the ethics of good governance. The excuse advanced in the past about waiting for legal opinion must not be used to kick to touch

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23 Jul, 2014

Eastern Cape Health budget

Address by Mr M Mhlati in the Eastern Cape Legislature Honourable Speaker, Honourable Premier and members of the executive and Honourable Members the report of the Committee of the budget of the department of health of which I am part of is fully exhaustive of the issues canvassed with the Department and I fully support findings and recommendations thereof. I would like to implore the department to plan and negotiate timeously with treasury for the absorption of the student nurses into the vacant positions once they complete their training. We have been complaining as Eastern Cape about the shortage of nurses but when we train them we fail to appoint them thus allowing them to seek work in other Provinces who are committed to address the shortages in the nursing profession. The non-filling of senior management positions in the Supply Chain Management Unit is unacceptable as this opens a gap for fraud and corruption to manifest itself unchecked. With regard to the matter of de-complexing it is clear that the resolutions of this Legislature are not taken seriously by the department. This Legislature resolved during the year 2012 on de-complexing but even today, they are still dragging their feet on this matter. We want clear time frames now. The strides made by the department in addressing the accruals is greatly appreciated, treasury must show consistency in what they are promoting. They request Departments to encourage officers to take early pension but on the other side they do not provide funds to Departments to pay out exit benefits. It is scandalous for people who have spent their lives working for government but when they leave they are reduced into beggars. We still have a long way to go to reach the desired level of health care service we aspire for due to the shortage of the Professional Personnel. Even though the envisaged decentralization of powers is supported I would like to warn the Department to take precautions of ensuring that the officers delegated the duties have the necessary capacity to perform the functions. The Accounting Officer should bear in mind the provisions of Section 44(2)(d) of the PFMA which states that, “ a delegation does not divest the accounting officer of the responsibility concerning the exercise of the delegated power or the performance of the assigned duty.” The budget is supported by the UDM I thank you

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23 Jul, 2014

Budget Vote 33 – Rural Development and Land Reform

Address by Mr ML Filtane, UDM Member of Parliament, in the National Assembly – Vote 33 Rural Development and Land Reform Honourable Chairperson Minister and Deputy Minister Honourable Members • Rural revitalisation and intervention in its economy is a priority matter as many rural areas remain in crisis with regard to resources and service delivery whilst the majority of people live in abject poverty after 20 years of democracy. • One major flaw of economic policy in the last 20 years has been the failure to bring infrastructure in rural areas on par with that in the cities without urbanising rural settlement. The socio economic consequences of this flaw are what we continue to witnesses; chronic housing shortages, millions forced to live in shacks and many other social ills. • The Untied Democratic Movement (UDM) supports aggressive and radical intervention in rural development, which will ensure that this matter does not become a political football. • The post settlement land programme is not producing the desired effect. • Questions raised by the public during public hearings on legislation are still outstanding and we are not clear as to when will the department submit its responses. • The department shares a vision – “to create vibrant equitable and sustainable rural communities and food security for all” with the department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. However, the latest statistics on food security reflect that over 11 % or 5.6 million South Africans still live in abject poverty, with no food security at all. What does the department propose to do to improve this situation? • That the door has been opened for more land claims to be submitted, whilst the department is currently behind with the settlement of already validated claims, leaves one wondering how and when these new ones will be accommodated. The Annual Performance Plan of the Department for the financial season 2014/15, targets to finalise 239 claims out of 983 outstanding and yet it is quite on how and when the 744 is going to be finalised. The fact that the department has reported staff shortage and limited budged, the question remains – will this just be a populist statement or are there some pragmatic plans to address this apparent problem? • The outstanding claim by the people of Baziya in the Eastern Cape leaves bitter taste in their months even to this hour. We invite the department to supply sufficient account of this prolonged delay. • Land reform – my biggest concern here is that, there is no statistical report on the socio economic achievements over the previous term and yet funds continue to flow to this function. • There is an urgent need for management to eliminate the inconsistencies between the department’s Annual Performance Plan and its own targets as well as to adhere to the prescribed reporting periods. • The department’s model for economic development is not comprehensive enough hence it is lacking in sustainability, some critical basic elements are missing from the equation. • Land acquisition by foreigners needs to be capped at a certain percentage of our land. Even so, we need to look at the value-adding factors which the acquirer will bring to the country’s broader objectives like; long term employment, skills development and provision of food security. • The UDM notes with concern the huge transfers of public funds to the Ingonyama Trust and we hope the Department will report on this matter. The UDM supports budget vote 33. Thank you

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23 Jul, 2014

Budget Vote 16 – Health

Address BY Ms CN Majeke, UDM Member of Parliament in the National Assembly on Budget Vote 16 – Health (MTEF) Honourable Chairperson Minister and Deputy Minister Honourable Members The United Democratic Movement (UDM) commits to protecting and promoting the Constitutional right of all South Africans to basic health care, and providing proper and immediate responses to the major health risks facing the country. In re-engineering the primary health care, the department must priorities access and quality of this service as it continues to disadvantage poor South Africans. In this regard, we reiterate our position, that health care has to be linked to other social cluster portfolios, further recognising the role social welfare, water, sanitation, basic life skills and awareness to improve the basic health of the nation. The current quality of health facilities and their maintenance especially in hospital in the rural areas is not in good standard. Hygiene at many clinics and hospitals in the Eastern Cape needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. UDM believes that jobs creation can be achieved through infrastructure maintenance and development whilst providing quality health facilities. Provision and stocking of medicines at many clinics and hospitals still fall short of the basic requirement. Distances travelled by communities to access these facilities remain a challenge. Staffing for primary health care facilities must be qualified, trained and available at all times to give quality service to all South Africans. In some state hospitals, access to a doctor is almost impossible; this is the case in the Eastern Cape, at Esulenkama Hospital in Mhlontlo municipality. It should not be a privilege for rural people to be serviced by a qualified doctor. We believe that diseases such as TB, cholera and malaria are preventable and can be treated; however, unless and until we link health with other socio economic factors, we will not be able to provide a sustainable service to the nation. Additional hospitals to rural communities need to be prioritised to address the congestion that is always found in the health facilities. The UDM supports vote 16. Thank you

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23 Jul, 2014

Budget Vote 22 : Defence and Military Veterans

Address by Mr BH Holomisa, MP (UDM President) on Budget Vote 22: Defence and Military Veterans on 23 July 2014 in the National Assembly Chairperson Honourable Minister and Deputy Minister Honourable Members The United Democratic Movement supports budget vote 22. The department is one of the fortunate to have retained its Minister after 2014 elections therefore promising continuity of strategy and direction. As a member of the Defence Service Commission, I concur with defence force programme and plans as announced by the Minister today. Whilst appreciating minister’s input, however, as a country we need to look at some of the mandates given to us especially peace keeping related tasks. South Africa must always consider these tasks against its own safety, the safety of the troops deployed and its people. Conditions of service and equipment of the South African National Defence Force has not yet reached the expected standards and levels, much still need to be done. This situation is further exacerbated by a bloated bureaucracy and lack of professionalism within the defence force. Whilst the concept of civilian oversight, we all endorse, this house need to evaluate as to what extent is the approach affecting the capacity of the defence force in discharging its Constitutional mandate. The defence is an instruction based institution underpinned by key fundamental principles of high level discipline, speed and control. President Zuma, in 2010 appointed an Interim Force Service Commission to look at the challenges confronting the defence force at the time, as we all know the findings of the commission are well documented. The frustrating part is the slow pace in implementing the recommendations of the commission. It becomes more frustrating learning that some allocated budgets are under-utilised and returned to the fiscus. The United Democratic Movement recommends that this house, reconsider returning the Accounting Officer’s powers back to the Commander of the Defence Force and retain the civilian oversight in the Minister’s office. Such a bold step shall drastically increase the speed at which the conditions of service of our Defence Force are improved. It will further reduce the amount of bureaucratic red tape. Thank you

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22 Jul, 2014

Eastern Cape: Budget vote Roads and Public Works

Speech by Mr Mhlati, leader of the UDM in the legislature Honourable Speaker, Honourable Premier and the Executive, Honourable Members, government officials in supporting the budget allocation of the department, the UDM would like to place more emphasis on the acute shortage of skilled personnel within the department. It is unthinkable that a government department can just literally depend on consultants for it to perform its functions. I plead with the Executive to give their full support in the recruitment drive to put the staffing of the department to the acceptable levels. As matters stand we are not sure whether the companies are forming cartels or not against this government as price escalations have become the order of the day. Although the establishment of the yellow fleet within the department is appreciated the lack of quality supervision is of great concern. Some of these yellow fleet teams are selling the diesel earmarked for the machinery to people who have trucks and tractors and you always find the employees roaming about in the rural areas and when you ask them why the machinery is standing idle, there is no diesel. It is also important that the traditional leaders should be called upon to perform their function as eyes and ears of government and to report any fraudulent activities by the members of the yellow fleet. The department should please ensure that companies awarded tenders in rural roads have the appropriate equipment for road -making not just a grader, we expect quality work for the quality money we pay out. A clear line of demarcation of responsibilities between the department and other departments such as health and education of which this department has a part to play. Clear memorandums of understanding among the parties should be drawn putting the areas of responsibility of each player up until the final product is completed and quality assured. The Government should come out in the open as to whether we want quality roads and buildings or we want to promote emerging contractors at the expense of quality work. This issue comes out of the N2 road through Mthatha to Viedgesville which has not yet finished two years but is being done patch work on a daily basis. I faced some managers for the shoddy work which they do for the Government and they put the blame on the emerging contractors they are forced to take. Stringent steps should be taken by the Department to complete the development of the asset Register of Government properties in the Province and must make use of the Surveyors to search and identify the properties. Furthermore, illegal occupants of Government properties should be prosecuted and caused to pay rental. The total budget of R4,025 444 billion for the Department is fully supported. I thank you

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22 Jul, 2014

Budget Vote 2: Parliament

Address by Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP in the National Assembly Budget Vote 2: Parliament Madam Speaker, Deputy President and Honourable Members, Parliament derives its power directly from the people. We are therefore all here to implement the will of the people. Once elected, our people therefore expect us to rise above ideological cleavages and narrow partisan interests to build a better South Africa for all, both Black and White. Deputy Speaker, Speaking time is essential for pluralist and representative debates that communicate the will of the people of South Africa and the constituencies the various political parties in this House represent. We are concerned that the current proportional speaking formula in Parliament does not provide us, the so-called smaller opposition parties or other parties as we prefer to call ourselves, enough opportunity to clearly articulate the will of our people and constituencies. Applying the crude principle of proportionality on speaking times does not bode well for both the reputation and image of this august Institution. For example, at times speakers’ times expire before the speakers had managed to put their points across – thus leaving the public questioning the purpose and quality of contribution. It is therefore important for Parliament to look into ways in which speaking times allow all parties to add maximum value to what are often complex parliamentary debates. We are aware that political parties have since the beginning of this term worked together to improve the situation and we appreciate the efforts. However, we believe there is still more room for improvement. Our view is that the minimum speaking time for parliamentary debates should be five minutes. Deputy Speaker, In the last term, there were instances, where people complained about the lack of proper consultation on Bills before this House. There were also a number of cases, where Bills were withdrawn to allow for further consultation. The Info Bill was example where the public consultation process was not done properly. There have also been cases, where Bills were passed by this House only to be declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court. We have to work hard to improve the quality of the legislation we pass. We also have a duty to ensure that the public is central to the lawmaking process of Parliament. Our laws should be based on and informed by the will of the people. Put differently, the People Must Govern! Deputy Speaker, We commend support systems that Parliament has been put in place, such as the Budget Office, to shore up the work of individual Members of Parliament (MPs) and the Committees. This will go a long way towards improving the effectiveness of MPs and Parliament in their oversight role and in holding Government accountable for its programmes. The UDM supports Budget Vote 2. Thank you.

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