Picture: iStock
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the province will use technology to stop those who are employed from benefitting from free government services.
Lesufi was speaking on Friday at the Presidential Imbizo in the East Rand where President Cyril Ramaphosa, government officials and communities discussed various issues.
“We are now launching an e-register Mr President, and this e-register will link up with all databases of government and retail stores so that whoever that is employed, whoever that is hiding their employment must not benefit from free benefits that are due to our people,” he said.
Lesufi said he had met with all the mayors in the province and had reached an agreement with them that an electronic indigent register would be established to enable the poor to receive free government service.
ALSO READ: Cyril’s service delivery flagship project falls flat
“We are ready now to launch what we call the e-indigent register. There are many people that are unemployed, but they cannot get free benefits – free electricity free water because they are not properly registered,” he said.
Lesufi also announced that 27 townships in the province would be free Wi-Fi zones.
“We are of the view president that children of the poor have a right to do their homework at home using free Wi-Fi,” he said.
Lesufi said free Wi-Fi in the townships would enable the unemployed to have an opportunity to apply for work in the comfort of their homes.
“President, the biggest challenge we are facing in this province is unemployment,” he said.
He said the province had several major infrastructure projects that were about to be launched. These projects were expected to created thousands of permanent jobs.
“We are proud to partner with the City of Ekurhuleni so that the airport can be an airport that can create jobs for our people,” he said.
ALSO READ: Lack of service delivery is like preparing for doomsday
On the other hand, community members also had the chance to raise their concerns to the president and ask service delivery-related questions.
Community members raised concerns about corruption from government officials, slow delivery of RDP houses, crime in their communities and issues about illegal foreign nationals.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.