Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English by Freddy Sonakile MPL.
The DA can reveal that the three advisory panels appointed by North West Premier Bushy Maape last month will cost the taxpayer more than R4,3 million.
The three advisory panels consists of a total of 25 members, with R714,245.99 in funding per month. These are funds that could be used to improve service delivery in schools, hospitals, and clinics in the province.
Duplication and multiplication of government functions is an old ANC trick to oil the cadre deployment wheels and the siphoning of public money. It is also a ploy to fool people who are in desperate need of services and opportunities that the ANC-led government is working to improve their lives.
The Panel for the Development of the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy is basically a duplication of the entire North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, which should be at work to promote economic growth and development, otherwise what is the point of having a fully staffed and funded department headed by MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi.
The Panel for Mega and Infrastructure Projects is a duplication of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure who should be at the forefront of infrastructure planning, development, and maintenance as a standard.
The Panel for the Review of State Owned Entities is a waste of time and money because each SOE falls within a specific department, as the shareholder, and these can be reviewed by the shareholders themselves.
It is clear that the ANC-led North West Provincial Government is incapable to fulfil its constitutional mandate and now outsource its responsibilities to panels, advisors and consultants to do the jobs they promised the people they would do if elected.
It also signals that Premier Maape has lost confidence in his MECs ultimately rendering them redundant.
The DA rejected the establishment of these panels during Premier Maape’s SOPA, while panellists may very well be competent individuals with the best intentions, it is a fact that the ANC gives scant regard for recommendations made by advisory panels.