The Bhisho Legislature adjourned just before noon today after agreeing to a proposed constitutional amendment that will outlaw crossing the floor and accepting a damning report on local government that the portfolio committee described as “an embarrassing cut and paste job”.
The Legislature sits again tomorrow afternoon when it will consider the policy speeches of the Premier and MECs for Agriculture, Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism and Education.
The session is scheduled to last until Friday.
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Showing posts with label municipalities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label municipalities. Show all posts
Monday, June 9, 2008
Sorry, we'll try harder next time, says MEC
Local Government and Traditional Affairs Thoko Xasa has apologised profusely to MPLs in the Bhisho Legislature for a report that was described as “an embarrassing cut and paste job”.
There was “no proof-reading of the report nor was verification of the report done. We apologise profusely for that,” she said, adding that the issues would be addressed “and we will try our best to do better with the 2006/07 report”.
Xasa was replying to the debate on the Consolidated Municipal Annual Performance Report for 2005/06 during which she acknowledged that she had sent the report to national minister Sydney Mufamadi and the National Council of Provinces, a report she accepted was “an embarrassment to the department”.
Xasa said other provincial departments had also experienced problems in drawing up the consolidated report while some like Mpumalanga had not even submitted reports.
She said it was not that easy “to get into municipalities” which complicated the issue. It was easier to intervene in some local authorities than others.
“We are also looking into the wasteful expenditure – the committee demanded this as two reports were compiled the first of which was rejected as being “riddled with errors” - and will report in due course on the steps we have taken.
We understand the situation in which we have placed this House”.
Earlier, ANC Mabandla Gogo delivered a stinging attack on the department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs on a consolidated municipal annual performance report saying that: “No homework was done and it was just done to meet the legislative requirements”.
And he said it was “amazing that the officials of the department were not present so that they could understand how we feel”.
Gogo also asked what steps MEC Thoko Xasa had taken against department officials when a copy of her policy speech had been leaked to The Herald and also found in a rubbish bin and also what action she would take against the officials responsible for a report that was “an embarrassing cut and paste job”.
Related Links: Eastern Cape MPLs embarassed over report
MEC slated for "cut-and-paste" job
There was “no proof-reading of the report nor was verification of the report done. We apologise profusely for that,” she said, adding that the issues would be addressed “and we will try our best to do better with the 2006/07 report”.
Xasa was replying to the debate on the Consolidated Municipal Annual Performance Report for 2005/06 during which she acknowledged that she had sent the report to national minister Sydney Mufamadi and the National Council of Provinces, a report she accepted was “an embarrassment to the department”.
Xasa said other provincial departments had also experienced problems in drawing up the consolidated report while some like Mpumalanga had not even submitted reports.
She said it was not that easy “to get into municipalities” which complicated the issue. It was easier to intervene in some local authorities than others.
“We are also looking into the wasteful expenditure – the committee demanded this as two reports were compiled the first of which was rejected as being “riddled with errors” - and will report in due course on the steps we have taken.
We understand the situation in which we have placed this House”.
Earlier, ANC Mabandla Gogo delivered a stinging attack on the department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs on a consolidated municipal annual performance report saying that: “No homework was done and it was just done to meet the legislative requirements”.
And he said it was “amazing that the officials of the department were not present so that they could understand how we feel”.
Gogo also asked what steps MEC Thoko Xasa had taken against department officials when a copy of her policy speech had been leaked to The Herald and also found in a rubbish bin and also what action she would take against the officials responsible for a report that was “an embarrassing cut and paste job”.
Related Links: Eastern Cape MPLs embarassed over report
MEC slated for "cut-and-paste" job
Eastern Cape MPLs embarassed over report
The Bhisho Legislature’s Local Government and Traditional Affairs committee today urged MPLs to reject the Consolidated Municipal Annual Performance report, describing it as an “embarrassing cut and paste job”.
And it also said that the fact that the first report had been rejected as it had been found to be “riddled with errors” amounted to “wasteful expenditure” demanding that the MEC probe the reason why two reports were tabled, who was responsible and what steps would be taken against them.
Further, the committee said Eastern Cape Local Government and Traditional Affairs MEC Thoko Xasa must report to the committee within 30 days how the issue of the wasteful expenditure would be dealt with.Presenting the report, committee chairman Lulamile Nazo (ANC) said that it was both “vague and embarrassing” and did not meet the requirements of the Municipal Systems Act.
The report must, among other things, identify under-performing municipalities “and specify measures that are going to be put in place to assist them”.
Both Xasa and the department’s superintendent-general Sindisile Maclean had signed the report.
Replying to questions, Xasa said her department was looking at what steps it could take to rectify the situation and was investigating through a service provider how “to come up with a proper report” adding that it was hoped this could be provided within 30 days as demanded by the committee and it would be “better”.
She acknowledged that what “an official” had done was a “cut and paste job” and was an “embarrassment” to the department.
Related Links: MEC slated for "cut-and-paste" job
And it also said that the fact that the first report had been rejected as it had been found to be “riddled with errors” amounted to “wasteful expenditure” demanding that the MEC probe the reason why two reports were tabled, who was responsible and what steps would be taken against them.
Further, the committee said Eastern Cape Local Government and Traditional Affairs MEC Thoko Xasa must report to the committee within 30 days how the issue of the wasteful expenditure would be dealt with.Presenting the report, committee chairman Lulamile Nazo (ANC) said that it was both “vague and embarrassing” and did not meet the requirements of the Municipal Systems Act.
The report must, among other things, identify under-performing municipalities “and specify measures that are going to be put in place to assist them”.
Both Xasa and the department’s superintendent-general Sindisile Maclean had signed the report.
Replying to questions, Xasa said her department was looking at what steps it could take to rectify the situation and was investigating through a service provider how “to come up with a proper report” adding that it was hoped this could be provided within 30 days as demanded by the committee and it would be “better”.
She acknowledged that what “an official” had done was a “cut and paste job” and was an “embarrassment” to the department.
Related Links: MEC slated for "cut-and-paste" job
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