The Minister of Public Works
In my concluding speech in the National Assembly debate on Budget Vote No. 11 (Public Works), held on Wednesday, 20 April 2016, I responded, amongst other things, to the Honourable Kohler-Barnard’s claim to have twenty-four affidavits from individuals alleging they had been refused Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) jobs, because they did not have African National Congress (ANC) membership cards. The Honourable Kohler-Barnard said that it took her one phone call to obtain the affidavits. The Honourable Kohler-Barnard also said that the Auditor-General is questioning the data of Department of Public Works, because of inadequate records and deficiencies.
This was the double context in which I referred to Khayelitsha. The Auditor-General has indeed raised questions about EPWP data, much of it in regard to under-reporting to the Department of Public Works’ central data system from local project sites. In the case of Khayelitsha, the Auditor-General found that 52 claimed participants in Khayelitsha had not been reported to the Department of Public Works’ central EPWP recording system.
In regard to allegations of partisan recruitment of participants for EPWP projects, I am on record of repeatedly speaking out against this abuse. The Department has issued guidelines on participant selection, emphasising the importance of transparency and non-partisanship. It was also for this reason that I instructed my Departmental officials to follow up on the 24 affidavits provided by the Honourable Kohler Barnard. Unfortunately, these affidavits proved to be worthless. They appear to be in three batches, with each batch written by the same hand and with word-for-word, identical general allegations made. The dates, locations, and names on which three ANC Councillors allegedly refused potential beneficiaries EPWP jobs are not provided.
I am not claiming that these abuses did not occur, however, it is my experience that in Municipalities controlled by different political parties, those community members who are aligned to another party, often believe, rightfully or not, that they have been excluded from EPWP projects. This has been our experience in both ANC and DA-controlled Municipalities, including in the City of Cape Town. It is important that as politicians we both condemn partisan manipulation of EPWP projects, as well as refrain from fanning partisan, but ungrounded rumours.
In specific response to the Honourable Macpherson’s question:
(a) There are a number of shortcomings in EPWP projects in the City of Cape Town, including in Khayelitsha, relating to data capturing and the portfolio of evidence for participation in EPWP projects, as noted by the Auditor-General. We are working collegially with our colleagues in the City of Cape Town, just as we are doing with other public bodies, to address these matters. I am pleased to say, however, that currently no cases of corruption in EPWP projects in the City of Cape Town have been reported to the Department of Public Works.
(b) Therefore, no criminal cases in this regard have been opened.
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