Madam Chair, hon Minister Sexwale, considering the numerous violent demonstrations throughout the country, it was necessary that an oversight visit be done, particularly to the so-called hot spot areas in all nine provinces. However, the visits, done quite some time after the protests, did not give us the exact impact. Hon Selau, I was part of the delegation. However, you failed to inform us of the corruption and maladministration that you were talking about.
Service delivery protests turned violent in many areas. They have brought political instability, not to mention the vandalism of municipal buildings, libraries and clinics. These very communities now want the same structures and buildings that they themselves have destroyed to be replaced. Most municipalities cannot afford to do this. Will this result in another round of protests?
Many of the protests were due to maladministration, cadre deployment, corruption and political infighting between the factions of the ruling party. It was evident that the leadership had lost touch with the residents on the ground and had taken refuge in their ivory towers, forgetting about the plight of the people. There is also a lack of understanding of the functions of the different spheres of government, and municipalities often bear the brunt of nondelivery by district councils and provincial government. Municipalities have become an easy target for demonstrators. Districts and provincial departments very seldom come to their rescue, but, rather, hide behind the back of the municipalities.
Whilst municipalities are responsible for providing internal reticulation, bulk infrastructure lies with the districts, which have failed dismally. Municipalities, particularly medium- and low-capacity municipalities, cannot afford to budget for and install bulk services which run into billions.
People living in glass houses should not throw stones.
A HON MEMBER: Hear, hear!