Chairperson, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs stands central to achieving the National Development Plan 2030 objectives. Notwithstanding the importance these two departments, especially to communities, Cope has to take a position and make a statement in objecting to this Vote.
In his 2009 state of the nation address, President Zuma promised a more interactive government. In October of the same year, violent protests erupted. Municipalities continue to fail communities. The Auditor-General's report testifies to this poor performance. Currently, the unemployment rate is at 26% in the country; 18% of the population live in informal dwellings, 27% do not have piped water in their homes; 12% do not have flush toilets and 9% use pit toilets. This is degrading to people's dignity after 20 years of liberation.
We are concerned about the level of corruption, poor administration and lack of monitoring and evaluation processes. For these reasons, Cope cannot support this Budget Vote. Our communities are being let down. Cope feels so strongly about this betrayal that, as a result, we cannot and will not support Budget Vote No 3.