Tebogo Msimanga |
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says with the State of Disaster set to be extended for yet another month, despite promises from the ANC government in February that the perpetual extensions of lockdown would come to an end, it is high time the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s head rolled.
DA Shadow Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Cilliers Brink said despite her title, Minister Dlamini-Zuma has shown little aptitude for cooperation. “She, and the rest of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s National Corona Command Council (NCCC), have consistently ignored the advice and warnings from scientists and the World Health Organization (WHO)”.
Brink added that while the rest of the world has started lifting restrictions, or removing them entirely, the Minister is persisting with an irrational State of Disaster in what the DA can only assume is a desperate bid to maintain some semblance of power.
“Under Minister Dlamini-Zuma’s watch, the State of Disaster has been continually rolled over since its announcement in March 2020. Not once has the Minister appeared before Parliament or the Public to explain why such an extension was necessary”.
Brink further said the Minister has failed to recommend alternative measures to the lockdowns. “The Minister has failed to support well-run municipalities and provinces to take over functions that national government is no longer able to deliver effectively”
The DA says it suspects that in many provinces the Community Works Programme (CWP) is being used to benefit political insiders of the ANC, to the exclusion of poor and vulnerable communities.
“Billions spent on the CWP over many years cannot be accounted for, leading to a number of disclaimed and qualified audits over many years”.
