Chairperson, hon Acting Minister, Deputy Minister, hon Members of Parliament, distinguished guests and colleagues, the municipal elections a couple of weeks ago have proven, yet again, that all is not well in municipalities across the country. Whilst the elections went off in a reasonably free and fair manner, in the weeks leading up to the elections riots, strikes and intimidation were the order of the day in many areas.
Residents, particularly the ones in smaller municipalities, have borne the brunt of inefficient and corrupt administrations, resulting in a lack of service delivery. Much needs to be done, as expectations have been created and delivery has not, as yet, taken place. Many residents have lost their confidence in municipalities and have either opted for violent demonstrations or withholding their rates and taxes. The DA does not advocate either of the two, especially where public buildings and property are damaged and destroyed, such as clinics and libraries. This unhappy situation is facing local government today and needs to be attended to urgently.
Some of the key priorities prior to the 2011 elections were to address the immediate financial and administrative problems in municipalities; to promulgate regulations to stem indiscriminate hiring and firing; and to tighten and implement transparent municipal supply-chain management.
The Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs spent a large amount of time on the Local Government: Municipal Systems Amendment Bill. But this is yet to be signed by the President. I sincerely hope that this will not be further delayed, as the content of the amendment is vital for the smooth running of the newly formed municipalities at which the right people will be appointed for the right jobs and not just simply deployed.
The Operation Clean Audit campaign launched in 2009 set itself a target of achieving 100% clean audits by 2014 by municipalities and provincial departments alike. This can never be achieved in the absence of the departments' buying into the programme and making sure that accountability, effective oversight and conducive financial management are the order of the day.
The DA welcomes the allocation of R196,7 million for the establishment of a technical support programme that will support municipalities in building their capacity for infrastructure planning. Delivery and rehabilitation, monitoring and management of progress will be some of the key elements attached to the funding so that the set goals will be achieved.
The 30% cut from Gauteng's infrastructure grant to R285,7 million is a slap in the face for the residents of Gauteng who have had to endure, day in and day out, hours of delays on Gauteng's roads, getting to work late, missing flights and having to contend with huge delays and backlogs on the roads. Yet the provincial department or the premier does not seem to be fazed about this. Surely, the funds lost could have rather been used for the upgrading of the roads than the installation of the new tolling system that has angered all the residents, not to mention the additional financial burden it places on the commuters?
The municipal infrastructure grant provides funding for basic services. This programme has a budget of R9,5 billion, of which 100% of the funds is used for transfers to municipalities for the eradication of backlogs and to supplement the municipal budgets. The targets for the 2010-11 financial year were basic water: 1,4 million households; basic sanitation: 808 000 households; roads: 1,1 million households; and community lighting: 540 186 households. It would be interesting to know if these targets have been achieved, and to be advised about the quality of the installations.
During the portfolio committee's oversight visits to the provinces, we saw failed and inferior municipal infrastructure grant, MIG, projects in which the contractors were paid out without the necessary oversight exercised over them and who have since disappeared. The communities were left without the projects being completed to their satisfaction, leaving them angry and disillusioned.
Hon Acting Minister, it is imperative that action is taken against municipalities and individuals that abuse MIG funding. Hon Minister Shiceka on numerous occasions agreed that these unscrupulous individuals should be blacklisted, but I am yet to see such a register. Will you be implementing such a register in order to prevent unsuspecting municipalities from becoming victims of these smooth operators?
During the floods, many areas throughout the country were hard hit, and the Northern Cape was probably one of the worst affected areas in the country. Whilst the disaster management teams need to be complimented for their tireless efforts and hard work, the same cannot be said for the provincial government departments of the Northern Cape. It took them 10 days before they enquired if the affected municipalities needed any help. Obviously, intergovernmental relations have failed and the affected communities left destitute. Better co-ordinated and successful intergovernmental relations are vital to ensure efficient and fast responses.
Disaster management teams sent to assist earthquake-hit areas around the world - of which we have seen too many - really must be commended for their tireless efforts and dedication. With there being definite evidence of the effects of climate change and global warming, disaster management teams will certainly have their work cut out for them. In future, if we are to mitigate the potential disastrous impact of climate change, I cannot help but wonder if the budget allocated will be sufficient for disaster management teams to carry out their duties, which they have done so efficiently in the past. Minister, this needs closer scrutiny.
The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities recently made a presentation to the portfolio committee. The presentation confirmed, yet again, that the commission would be better placed with Arts and Culture and not with Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. I have advocated for this many times and feel that if we want this commission to succeed, it needs to be within a portfolio group where it can be given its just status and exercise its mandate.
Its existence under the present circumstances is nonviable and needs to be relooked at urgently. The budget and the percentage used for carrying out its mandate show that this entity has a bloated staff remuneration budget and little for projects. This means that it has unfortunately become an employment agency rather than a problem-solving body.
Hon Acting Minister, the DA welcomes the savings and cost-effective measures that the department has identified in the savings of R12,5 million in the 2011-12 and R15,2 million in the 2012-13 financial years. The savings identified in the replacement of consultants with skilled personnel, travelling economy class only, using less costly venues and facilities, and catering for internal meetings are to be commended. Let this trend continue and cascade down to all departments. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]