Hon Chair, the ID certainly supports many of the programmes and initiatives of the Department for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. However, we cannot in good conscience vote in favour of this budget. In the past financial year this department received a qualified audit opinion by the Auditor-General. This was a regression from the previous year and a sign that all was not well within the department.
It was a clear indication that governance and management within the department were falling behind and that not enough attention was being paid to ensuring the department fulfilled its proper roles and functions. The government has witnessed severe breaches of good governance within provinces and abject failure and dismal performance by many municipalities across the country.
When one looks at the Auditor-General's report of the 2010-2011 financial year on the spending of local municipalities, it makes it impossible to support a Budget Vote where money is not spent in a worthwhile way.
The ID cannot support a Budget Vote where there are incompetent staff members, a lack of discipline and a poor work ethic in some municipalities. Operation Clean Audit will only happen when this department implements the political will that is needed and has the burden of the people at heart. The ID does not support the Budget Vote. I thank you.