SEDIBENG. – The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Sedibeng has said that it believes the Gauteng Provincial Government has a tendency to play ‘Big Brother’ to local government.
This was in response to calls by the Gauteng Provincial government for stern action to be taken against local Ward Councillors found to be involved in corruption in the distribution of food relief packages (food packages) in the area. The party said that it welcomes and support any action taken against any individual who might be found doing something wrong or taking advantage of the poor during this time however, it further said that the calls made by both the Province and National government against the Councillors is totally uncalled for and is exaggerating the problem.
“It is not correct for the above structures to give an impression that Ward Councillors, in the main, are most corrupt people in government who sell the food parcels meant for the poor, in foremost the announcement made by MEC Panyaza Lesufi which clearly stipulate that, Provincial government only, officials specifically those working for the Department of Social Development will be allowed to distribute food parcels. We however, support any action against any public representative including Ministers, MP’s, MPL’s, and Councillors not only Ward Councillors but (Municipal) Councillors who might be found to be selling the food parcels to communities must face the full might of the law.”
SACP said that while acting Department of Social Development (DSD) MEC, Panyaza Lusufi is trying by all means to speed up the distribution of the foods parcels, the issue of capacity remains a challenge and is derailing the efforts by the DSD to provide and cater people with food.
“MEC Lesufi and the GPG should ensure that there is capacity within the department to distribute food parcels and he should also establish a monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the distribution process is corrupt free from the officials. We wish to encourage both the National and Provincial spheres to stop the ‘Big Brother’ attitude towards locals, instead of accusing Councillors of corruption both National and Provincial Government structures need to assist the Councillors in ensuring that the right message is communicated to the people.”
The SCAP further said that a friendly user system must be established to ensure access, by the people, to food parcels.
“We believe that, the current system which requires communities to email their details to support@gauteng.gov.za is not promoting accessibility and it is not user friendly especially to the old age citizens and the unemployed, this system frustrate and expose people to ‘sharks’ who will then request money from them in order to be assisted with the emailing of their request to the food bank.”
The SACP concluded by saying that government must further assist the Councillors with the registration process so that people can be able to register themselves without any frustrations.
Tembinkosi Pulu, SACP District Secretary said, “In the absence of such, people become frustrated and flood the Councillors houses seeking information and start accusing and insulting them for not willing to assist them to register for food parcels. This is indeed a very sad and painful situation facing both the Councillors and the community.”
