Chairperson, since May we have seen a significant increase in the incidence and in the intensity of service delivery protests across the country. Salga has recently said that a major barrier to delivery in local government is politically aligned appointment of municipal managers.
On Friday the other Minister in the Presidency released the National Development Plan, which makes specific reference to the need to buffer the civil service form political interference. Would the Minister agree that before legislation is even considered, it is time to start appointing people on the basis of their ability to do the job only and that the disastrous policy of cadre deployment in the civil service needs to be scrapped urgently? If he does agree, and I'm sure he does, what has he done or is he doing to make this happen? Thank you. [Applause.]
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY - PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION, AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION IN THE PRESIDENCY: Chairperson, hon member, you would recall that the issue of municipal managers and other public servants appointed in various areas was raised by the President in this House, have been raised by the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and is a matter which is receiving attention.
There is no policy of cadre deployment in government. All appointments are made in terms of the laws and the legislation which are there. [Interjections.] If it happens in the ANC, it happens in the ANC. It is not a government issue. If there is a review of policy, it must be the ANC which must review the policy, not government, because it does not exist in government. Thank you. [Applause.]