Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by CJ Steyl MPL
It appears that North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi may be abusing provincial government resources under the guise of Thuntsha Lerole, the Premier’s so-called accelerated service delivery programme, to campaign in Maquassi Hills Ward 5, scheduled for a by-election on 4 December 2024, in which the ANC is contesting.
The Premier announced this week that he will bring all provincial government departments to Tswelelang, Extension 15, in Ward 5 Maquassi Hills, where his government will host a service delivery exhibition from 8 am to 4 pm and a community feedback session today. See notice here.
The Public Protector’s report, ‘State and Party Colours’ released in 2016, found that the government has an obligation to ensure that there is no conflation between the party and the state. In this instance, it is obvious that the two are being conflated.
The DA will request the Public Protector to investigate this event to confirm whether there has been an abuse of public resources.
Any government resource abuse towards party-political gain indicates a desperate ANC trying to cling to electoral support. The ANC’s desperation to try and secure a win in this by-election follows the continued electoral losses suffered by an ANC that no longer enjoys popular support.
Premier Mokgosi must uphold his oath of office and govern in a manner that is beyond reproach. Abusing government resources in this manner brings his government’s integrity into question.
Residents of Tswelelang will not be so easily swayed. This community, much like all residents throughout Maquassi Hills, has been neglected by an uncaring ANC for decades.
Residents continue to bear the burden of ANC corruption and failed governance which continues to leave them without access to basic services like reliable water and electricity supply, quality sanitation services, refuse removal, roads maintenance and poor economic and job prospects.
In fact, year after year, the quality of life of Maquassi residents continues to erode while ANC comrades live large on the taxpayer funded dime. The gravy train in Maquassi Hills must come to an end for ANC bigwigs.
Instead, residents will rally behind the DA’s Ward 5 candidate, Cllr Don van Zyl, who diligently fights for improved governance and service delivery for all residents. Voters are called upon to vote for DA on Wednesday, 4 December 2024 – the only party that is capable of rescuing Maquassi Hills from three decades of ANC neglect.