The ANC will unveil the new Eastern Cape provincial cabinet at lunchtime tomorrow with the major focus on who will take over Housing and Local Government from Thoko Xasa and whether these two departments will be split.
New premier Mbulelo Sogoni acknowledged earlier today that the possibility of creating separate departments was under consideration and the name of outspoken the former mayor of Buffalo City Lulamile Nazo has emerged as a contender for Local Government.
That would leave Housing with which ANC provincial chairman Stone Sizani who was MEC for Education between 1999 and 2002 and the former CEO of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation Mcebisi Jonas have been linked.
Nazo has also been named as a possible deputy-speaker, succeeding Gloria Barry who is tipped to take over Roads and Transport from Thobile Mhlahlo.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sogoni speaks
Here he is. The first picture of Mbulelo Sogoni after his swearing-in as the fourth premier of the Eastern Cape, speaking to reporters outside the Good News Centre in Bhisho.
New premier makes big promises
New Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni was sworn in this morning as the province’s fourth premier outlining a broad plan for the next eight months leading up to the election and saying the new cabinet will have until the end of August to realign their budgets with his priorities.
Sogoni said there would be “zero-tolerance” of failures in service delivery specifically in the areas of schools, hospitals and clinics, adding that the performance contracts of all heads of department would be reviewed in the light of what would be required.
Among the priorities Sogoni spelled out were the timeous delivery of stationery and text books; eradication of mud schools; providing support to improve the public health system, and drive the delivery of housing.
Sogoni said another priority would be to persuade FIFA to change the decision to take the Confederations Cup games away from Port Elizabeth.
Sogoni said there would be “zero-tolerance” of failures in service delivery specifically in the areas of schools, hospitals and clinics, adding that the performance contracts of all heads of department would be reviewed in the light of what would be required.
Among the priorities Sogoni spelled out were the timeous delivery of stationery and text books; eradication of mud schools; providing support to improve the public health system, and drive the delivery of housing.
Sogoni said another priority would be to persuade FIFA to change the decision to take the Confederations Cup games away from Port Elizabeth.
Hurry up and wait ...
A 10am swearing in of new Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni is one thing that is not going to happen.
At 9.58 there was indication of when proceedings would start although outgoing Premier Nosimo Balindlela arrived a few moments ago and took up the seat she has occupied for the last four years - and the next few minutes.
Balindlela did not attend this morning’s ANC caucus and has announced her resignation as a member of the Legislature. She will, however, remain as a member of the Eastern Cape provincial executive committee of the ANC.
At 9.58 there was indication of when proceedings would start although outgoing Premier Nosimo Balindlela arrived a few moments ago and took up the seat she has occupied for the last four years - and the next few minutes.
Balindlela did not attend this morning’s ANC caucus and has announced her resignation as a member of the Legislature. She will, however, remain as a member of the Eastern Cape provincial executive committee of the ANC.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Pillay report: Questions remain
Pillay yet again.
For reasons best known to somebody in the Legislature it was decided not to distribute Chapter 2 of the Pillay Commission report, authored by Judge Ronnie Pillay (pictured), that interestingly enough is dated December 1 2006 the first pages of which were leaked to the media and contain allegations to which those accused have not had the opportunity to reply.
That has now been rectified.
No explanation has yet been provided, however, as to why the Premier sat on the report for some 18 months and the question being asked is whether it was not being held back as “dry powder” for use at the right moment.
The ad hoc committee examining the report and that is considering among other things whether the commission complied with its mandate has requested an extension of time to complete its deliberations.
Committee chairman Phumulo Masualle says information is still waited from departments and he has now been given to August 26 to report when the Legislature is scheduled to sit again.
For reasons best known to somebody in the Legislature it was decided not to distribute Chapter 2 of the Pillay Commission report, authored by Judge Ronnie Pillay (pictured), that interestingly enough is dated December 1 2006 the first pages of which were leaked to the media and contain allegations to which those accused have not had the opportunity to reply.
That has now been rectified.
No explanation has yet been provided, however, as to why the Premier sat on the report for some 18 months and the question being asked is whether it was not being held back as “dry powder” for use at the right moment.
The ad hoc committee examining the report and that is considering among other things whether the commission complied with its mandate has requested an extension of time to complete its deliberations.
Committee chairman Phumulo Masualle says information is still waited from departments and he has now been given to August 26 to report when the Legislature is scheduled to sit again.
Computer error: The Blobster's on the case
Anyone remember the saga of the missing computers in the Ndlambe municipality (Port Alfred) when the municipal manager admitted that he “made a mistake” when he signed for 39 laptops worth R400 000, without checking whether they had actually arrived?
The DA’s Bobby Stevenson – affectionately dubbed “the blobster" by former DA leader Tony Leon - has not and has asked a question for oral reply this afternoon and to what progress has been made with the investigation.
Stevenson wants to know whether any disciplinary action has been taken or criminal charges laid and whether any steps have been taken to recover the money.
Ndlambe, however, needed not feel alone because Stevenson has unearthed the fact that six computers went missing in the Koukamma local municipality. These were not new computers they just held vital information such as salaries and details of municipal accounts.
The DA’s Bobby Stevenson – affectionately dubbed “the blobster" by former DA leader Tony Leon - has not and has asked a question for oral reply this afternoon and to what progress has been made with the investigation.
Stevenson wants to know whether any disciplinary action has been taken or criminal charges laid and whether any steps have been taken to recover the money.
Ndlambe, however, needed not feel alone because Stevenson has unearthed the fact that six computers went missing in the Koukamma local municipality. These were not new computers they just held vital information such as salaries and details of municipal accounts.
Bhisho's apartheid legacy lingers
Shades of the past ... the parade ground and dias in front of the Legislature from where Ciskei President Lennox Sebe reviewed his troops.
Education dept deluged by court action
SOME 171 new civil actions were instituted in the last financial year against the Eastern Cape education department, 59 of them related to similar applications brought by 59 suppliers for the School Nutrition Programmer whose tenders were cancelled in 2004.
The 59 cases are all claims for a loss of profits and some are for amounts as high as R3 million.
Other cases involve the expulsion of pupils from Queens College, the filling of the post of principal at Sydenham Primary and even one involving a pupil who was appointed as a prefect and then demoted.
Replying to a written question from Donald Smiles (DA) Education MEC Johnny Makgato says that most of the applications were still pending and one had been decided in favour of the department. He added that there had been no civil actions instituted connected to irregularities relating to the appointment of officials to senior positions.
The 59 cases are all claims for a loss of profits and some are for amounts as high as R3 million.
Other cases involve the expulsion of pupils from Queens College, the filling of the post of principal at Sydenham Primary and even one involving a pupil who was appointed as a prefect and then demoted.
Replying to a written question from Donald Smiles (DA) Education MEC Johnny Makgato says that most of the applications were still pending and one had been decided in favour of the department. He added that there had been no civil actions instituted connected to irregularities relating to the appointment of officials to senior positions.
And Pillay on Coega ...
Yet more from the Pillay Commission
Another of Judge Ronnie Pillay’s apparent dislikes is the Coega Project. Among the lengthy list of recommendations contained in Volume 8 is the exhortation to the Eastern Cape not to invest further monies in the Coega Development Corporation at the expense of departments which provide social services to the citizens of the Province.
“If the CDC requires further finance, then Province should seek the same from National Government by means of a conditional grant and/or from Provincial surplus.
“Means to be reimbursed by the Department of Trade and Industry and/or CDC for the R1 billion already invested (plus interest) should be initiated or the Provincial Government should take complete control of CDC.”
Another of Judge Ronnie Pillay’s apparent dislikes is the Coega Project. Among the lengthy list of recommendations contained in Volume 8 is the exhortation to the Eastern Cape not to invest further monies in the Coega Development Corporation at the expense of departments which provide social services to the citizens of the Province.
“If the CDC requires further finance, then Province should seek the same from National Government by means of a conditional grant and/or from Provincial surplus.
“Means to be reimbursed by the Department of Trade and Industry and/or CDC for the R1 billion already invested (plus interest) should be initiated or the Provincial Government should take complete control of CDC.”
- Coega announced earlier this week that six auto component manufacturers were in the process of concluding investment deals worth more than R1 billion with the Coega Development Corporation that will result in a total of 2 530 people employed between July 2008 and mid 2010. The factories are to be located in the Nelson Mandela Bay Logistics Park (NMBLP) in Uitenhage.
Treasury officials are party stooges: Pillay
More from the Pillay Commission
Wide-eyed Wonder!
Officials from the Provincial Treasury were also on Judge Ronnie Pillay’s hit list.
“It is noteworthy that some of the officials presently in Treasury have been in such positions or within Treasury for a long time. Some of them display an undoubted loyalty to leading political figures who played an important part in what has gone by.
“Even some of those officials who now find themselves in other departments but were within the Treasury department in the past seem to owe their loyalty to the aforementioned political figures.
“The reason(s) for this is, at best, unclear.”
Wide-eyed Wonder!
Officials from the Provincial Treasury were also on Judge Ronnie Pillay’s hit list.
“It is noteworthy that some of the officials presently in Treasury have been in such positions or within Treasury for a long time. Some of them display an undoubted loyalty to leading political figures who played an important part in what has gone by.
“Even some of those officials who now find themselves in other departments but were within the Treasury department in the past seem to owe their loyalty to the aforementioned political figures.
“The reason(s) for this is, at best, unclear.”
What Pillay really thinks of Bhisho ...
Judge Ronnie Pillay is clearly not enamoured with Bhisho nor, for that matter, with East London.
The Pillay Commission report – dated June 1, 2007, but only tabled in the Legislature in Bhisho yesterday – contains this little comment on the area:
“As uneasy as the reader hereof might be caused to feel, the cold truth of the matter is that the geographical area where the Provincial Government essentially operates does not present any form of attraction to anybody who has an opportunity to work in another place.
“The big cities in the country in themselves present attractions, to those who can go there, and far outweighs anything the Bhisho/Zwelitsha and East London areas can offer. It is clearly not a difficult choice to make when presented with such options.
“Similarly, persons with expertise find nothing attractive to lure them out of an area when asked to give up that situation. By comparison, it is understandably difficult to give up the life in a city like Cape Town or Johannesburg to come and live in the Eastern Cape Government area for the same time and increment and where there is no comparable infrastructure at least for family life.”
The Pillay Commission report – dated June 1, 2007, but only tabled in the Legislature in Bhisho yesterday – contains this little comment on the area:
“As uneasy as the reader hereof might be caused to feel, the cold truth of the matter is that the geographical area where the Provincial Government essentially operates does not present any form of attraction to anybody who has an opportunity to work in another place.
“The big cities in the country in themselves present attractions, to those who can go there, and far outweighs anything the Bhisho/Zwelitsha and East London areas can offer. It is clearly not a difficult choice to make when presented with such options.
“Similarly, persons with expertise find nothing attractive to lure them out of an area when asked to give up that situation. By comparison, it is understandably difficult to give up the life in a city like Cape Town or Johannesburg to come and live in the Eastern Cape Government area for the same time and increment and where there is no comparable infrastructure at least for family life.”
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
People's premier out among the people?
There was no sign of outgoing Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela today when the Bhisho Legislature started a weeklong sitting even though a report on the Office of the Premier on a fact-finding mission to the Ugie/Maclear timber project was debated.
Her replacement Mbulelo Sogoni was present as were several MEC’s (Heath MEC Nomsa Jajula was the lone exception) who will be replaced on Friday.
Handed out were copies of the voluminous Pillay Commission that includes some eight annexures. Interestingly, as was noted by many members of the Legislature many if not all the recommendations contained in annexure eight had been made year after year in reports compiled by the legislature’s committees.
One imagines the ad hoc committee considering the report will comment on that when it submits its report.
Her replacement Mbulelo Sogoni was present as were several MEC’s (Heath MEC Nomsa Jajula was the lone exception) who will be replaced on Friday.
Handed out were copies of the voluminous Pillay Commission that includes some eight annexures. Interestingly, as was noted by many members of the Legislature many if not all the recommendations contained in annexure eight had been made year after year in reports compiled by the legislature’s committees.
One imagines the ad hoc committee considering the report will comment on that when it submits its report.
Pillay Commission under scrutiny
The Pillay Commission report, tabled in the Legislature today, is itself the study of a probe by a special ad hoc committee chaired by Phumulo Masualle who will take over as MEC for Finance and Economic Development on Friday.
The ad hoc committee, among other things will “consider the terms of reference of the commission and to what extent they have been complied with” and must also consider the report “with due regard to the funds that the Legislature has voted to fund the commission”.
The committee is supposed to report by July 31 but it is likely to ask for an extension when it meets tomorrow morning.
There were indications yesterday that the ad hoc committee may question the credibility of the commission report and ask questions around its appointment.
The ad hoc committee, among other things will “consider the terms of reference of the commission and to what extent they have been complied with” and must also consider the report “with due regard to the funds that the Legislature has voted to fund the commission”.
The committee is supposed to report by July 31 but it is likely to ask for an extension when it meets tomorrow morning.
There were indications yesterday that the ad hoc committee may question the credibility of the commission report and ask questions around its appointment.
- Full report in The Herald tomorrow
Baby deaths: Health department to blame
The Bhisho Legislature’s Health Committee has found there was “an inexorable causal link between elements of water supply contamination, poor sanitation and hygiene levels, and the diarrhoeal (sic) infections” that resulted in the deaths of 131 babies in the Ukhahlamba District Municipality between January and April 2008.
The multiparty committee visited the area on May 28.
The committee also found that the notice to the community to boil water as a result of the “compromised water purification processes”, was only issued to the public in April 2008 “despite recorded high numbers of diarrhoea-related baby deaths in the preceding months”.
In addition, the report states there was a failure by the provincial Department of Health’s monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure that monthly meetings of the District Health Advisory Council took place and that “the relevant challenges and measures to deal with them were identified and discussed.
“This would have ensured that the diarrhoea outbreak would have been detected and measures put in place to curb it. The meeting held on 15 April 2008 should not have been the first meeting to consider the outbreak and the resultant deaths of babies in preceding months.”
The multiparty committee visited the area on May 28.
The committee also found that the notice to the community to boil water as a result of the “compromised water purification processes”, was only issued to the public in April 2008 “despite recorded high numbers of diarrhoea-related baby deaths in the preceding months”.
In addition, the report states there was a failure by the provincial Department of Health’s monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure that monthly meetings of the District Health Advisory Council took place and that “the relevant challenges and measures to deal with them were identified and discussed.
“This would have ensured that the diarrhoea outbreak would have been detected and measures put in place to curb it. The meeting held on 15 April 2008 should not have been the first meeting to consider the outbreak and the resultant deaths of babies in preceding months.”
- Full report in The Herald tomorrow
New Premier takes the helm on Thursday
New Eastern Cape Premier Mbulelo Sogoni (right, with his predecessor Nosimo Balindlela) will be sworn in at the Legislature on Thursday, the ANC confirmed today.
The new cabinet will be announced on Friday afternoon and there is still discussion on who will
take the Housing and Local Government portfolio currently held by Thoko Xasa.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) is to meet on Friday morning to finalise the matter that will see Finance MEC Billy Nel who was informed yesterday that he is to be axed replaced by Phumulo Masualle who will also succeed Sogoni as MEC for Economic Development and Environmental Affairs.
Health MEC Nomsa Jajula will be replaced by Pemmy Majodina while Education MEC Johnny Makgato will make way for Mahlubandile Qwase.
- Full report in The Herald tomorrow
Running on empty
Members of the Eastern Cape provincial legislature must get thirsty after all that talking. But they won't get much relief from this out-of-order water cooler at the Good News Centre.
Chamber of the future or empty vessel?
Work underway gutting the inside of the Eastern Cape Legislature. Millions are being spent revamping the Chamber at a time when the very existence of the provinces is under review. This week's sitting is taking place in the Good News Centre while the work is underway in the Chamber.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Birthdays, babies and messy situations
Three subjects will dominate the Legislature this week – the celebration of the birthday of Nelson Mandela, a health department report into the deaths of babies at Ukhahlamba and the election and swearing-in of Premier-designate Mbulelo Sogoni and unveiling of the new cabinet.
The report into the death of more than 100 babies was the result of an investigation by the portfolio committee on Health but The Herald has been told that the ANC compiled a report long before the deaths of the babies warning of the impending disaster – but no action was taken.
That debate is set down for Wednesday.
Thursday, Arts and Culture minister Pallo Jordan will address the Legislature on Madiba and it is expected that Sogoni will be elected on the same day or early Friday, followed by the announcement of the new provincial cabinet.
In the meantime, the existing MECs will continue to answer questions and respond to all the reports that have been tabled – messy and a trifle embarrassing.
Among the other reports to be tabled is one that may raise eyebrows considering that the plenary session is being held at the Good News Centre – the Public Works committee according to the programme will submit a report on an “exposure” visit to Australia!
New Eastern Cape welfare graft probe
Social Development minister Zola Skweyiya has revealed that an investigation is being carried out by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in collaboration with the SAPS Commercial Crime Unit into a welfare scam in the Mthatha area and that five people have already been arrested.
Skweyiya said his department was not able to confirm the extent of the fraud but that into addition to the arrest of five people in February, about 70 original birth certificates and clinic cards together with copies of identity documents had been found during the search.
He said that from the birth certificates SASSA had identified, 56 individuals who were receiving grants for one or more children that were registered at Home Affairs. The registration turned out to be false.
Skweyiya said one of the accused had turned State witness and had supplied valuable information.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
D-Day for Balindlela
Three Eastern Cape MECs will be axed along with Premier Nosimo Balindlela as part of a provincial cabinet reshuffle that will see Mbulelo Sogoni, currently MEC for Economic Development and Environmental Affairs elected as the province’s fourth premier.
Out will go Education MEC Johnny Makgato his Finance colleague MEC Billy Nel as well as Health MEC Nomsa Jajula as part of efforts to speed up delivery and development in the province.
Alliance partners, Cosatu and the South African Communist Party remain opposed to the election of Sogoni and tough negotiations are continuing. They may, however, have to be satisfied with appointments to key portfolios for which they have already submitted proposals as part of a comprehensive agreement.
Full story on who is likely to be in the next provincial cabinet in Thursday’s edition of The Herald.
Out will go Education MEC Johnny Makgato his Finance colleague MEC Billy Nel as well as Health MEC Nomsa Jajula as part of efforts to speed up delivery and development in the province.
Alliance partners, Cosatu and the South African Communist Party remain opposed to the election of Sogoni and tough negotiations are continuing. They may, however, have to be satisfied with appointments to key portfolios for which they have already submitted proposals as part of a comprehensive agreement.
Full story on who is likely to be in the next provincial cabinet in Thursday’s edition of The Herald.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Eastern Cape edges in on Trevor's territory
THE Eastern Cape is set to become the first legislature in the country to pass a bill that will allow it to amend the provincial budget after it has been tabled.
The National Assembly has also initiated a process to allow it to amend money bills with a motion being passed that instructed the finance committee "to consider a procedure to amend money bills before parliament with a view to introducing a bill dealing with the matter".
The committee must report back to the National Assembly by August 15.
Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has blocked attempts to introduce the legislation in the past arguing that amending the budget after it has been tabled could result in a lengthy process in which countless amendments might have to be accommodated.
The Constitution provides that a provincial legislature may amend a money bill – a bill that appropriates money or imposes provincial taxes or levies - and a White Paper on the procedure to amend such legislation has been tabled in the Legislature and referred to the Finance Committee.
The White Paper notes that before a money bill can be amended legislation is required in terms of which the procedure for this is set out.
Read Patrick Cull's full analysis of this new bill and its implications in Tuesday's edition of The Herald.
The National Assembly has also initiated a process to allow it to amend money bills with a motion being passed that instructed the finance committee "to consider a procedure to amend money bills before parliament with a view to introducing a bill dealing with the matter".
The committee must report back to the National Assembly by August 15.
Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has blocked attempts to introduce the legislation in the past arguing that amending the budget after it has been tabled could result in a lengthy process in which countless amendments might have to be accommodated.
The Constitution provides that a provincial legislature may amend a money bill – a bill that appropriates money or imposes provincial taxes or levies - and a White Paper on the procedure to amend such legislation has been tabled in the Legislature and referred to the Finance Committee.
The White Paper notes that before a money bill can be amended legislation is required in terms of which the procedure for this is set out.
Read Patrick Cull's full analysis of this new bill and its implications in Tuesday's edition of The Herald.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
On lager and leadership ...
There may yet be more to the link between beer and malaria and we will have to consult the good doctor when the Bhisho Legislature meets in a week’s time for, among other things, one presumes the swearing in of the successor to Nosimo Balindlela as Premier of the Eastern Cape.
It is hardly the kind of job one would imagine there would be a scrum for but the pay is good and you get a chauffeur driven car and go overseas on trips that you promise the electorate you will tell them the importance of but never do – at least that’s what the general trend has been over the past four years.
But back to beer with colleague Keith Bell who spent some time in Nigeria saying that the locals consume a beverage called Star that they swear by as the means to prevent malaria. Bell, scorning the local brew opted for Heineken and contracted malaria three times!
Perhaps the next step is to import some Star and analyse it along with Castle to see whether the contents are similar. Perhaps a more simple way would be to import the brew, consume reasonable quantities of it and camp near a swamp to see if one is bitten by mosquitoes.
It is hardly the kind of job one would imagine there would be a scrum for but the pay is good and you get a chauffeur driven car and go overseas on trips that you promise the electorate you will tell them the importance of but never do – at least that’s what the general trend has been over the past four years.
But back to beer with colleague Keith Bell who spent some time in Nigeria saying that the locals consume a beverage called Star that they swear by as the means to prevent malaria. Bell, scorning the local brew opted for Heineken and contracted malaria three times!
Perhaps the next step is to import some Star and analyse it along with Castle to see whether the contents are similar. Perhaps a more simple way would be to import the brew, consume reasonable quantities of it and camp near a swamp to see if one is bitten by mosquitoes.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
In a froth about a cure for malaria
One is fortunate in the Bhisho Legislature to have the services of medical practitioner Dr Bevan Goqwana available in cases of emergency, although much of the time he would probably need to be an expert in sleeping sickness more than anything else.
I had recent cause to consult him about the serious side-effects of Castle Lager that had after a great many years of merry and enthusiastic imbibing caused gout, a decidedly fiendish affliction that concentrates its efforts on the big toe, a digit that must surely be one of the most inoffensive.
A change to Windhoek ended the gout problem but had a disastrous side-effect as for all the years that Castle had slipped effortlessly down my throat I had not been bitten by a single mosquito. Copious quantities of Windhoek however have turned me into a veritable treasure trove for mosquitoes.
The good doctor explained quite simply that Castle made the blood acidic and therefore not frightfully palatable to mosquitoes while Windhoek made it sweeter and attracted them in their hoards.
What I could not get him to comment on was whether I had inadvertently discovered a preventative medicine for malaria thereby putting a damper on my vision of breweries trucks delivering cases with a prescription attached stating “take one every two hours or when necessary”.
I had recent cause to consult him about the serious side-effects of Castle Lager that had after a great many years of merry and enthusiastic imbibing caused gout, a decidedly fiendish affliction that concentrates its efforts on the big toe, a digit that must surely be one of the most inoffensive.
A change to Windhoek ended the gout problem but had a disastrous side-effect as for all the years that Castle had slipped effortlessly down my throat I had not been bitten by a single mosquito. Copious quantities of Windhoek however have turned me into a veritable treasure trove for mosquitoes.
The good doctor explained quite simply that Castle made the blood acidic and therefore not frightfully palatable to mosquitoes while Windhoek made it sweeter and attracted them in their hoards.
What I could not get him to comment on was whether I had inadvertently discovered a preventative medicine for malaria thereby putting a damper on my vision of breweries trucks delivering cases with a prescription attached stating “take one every two hours or when necessary”.
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