OUTCOMES OF SECOND ANC LIMPOPO PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD SUNDAY, 22 JANUARY 2012
The ANC in Limpopo held its second 2012 Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting yesterday at Frans Mohlala House which was also attended by the Limpopo deployee representing the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC, Cde. Mathole Motshekga.
Amongst other agenda items was the devastating aftermath of the torrential rains and floods that hit the Mopani region where hundreds of families have been left in dire straits and about 20 of them homeless. These heavy rains have also affected several farmers - both commercial and emerging. The ANC in the province places this disaster as top on its agenda, including ensuring urgent intervention for hospitals, schools and beneficiaries of social services who are dependent on the state for subsistence.
"The ANC led government must continue with disaster relief efforts and fast-track interventions to ensure accommodation for the families who have been left stranded by the floods. Roads, and other infrastructural damage, including assistance to the entire farming community must also continue - as this kind of damage can have lasting negative effects," said Chairperson, Cassel Mathale.
The PEC affirmed and upheld the role of the ANC as the centre of power around which all political and social discourse should be directed. Limpopo's leadership also emphasised its concern for the imminent threat to the party's traditional spirit of cooperative governance which it holds in high regard.
Subsequent items on the agenda were the flagrant disregard for procedure related to the manner in which the National Cabinet Task Team went about applying the intervention imposed on the Limpopo provincial government; and the ensuing negative impact this action is having on Limpopo communities. An overwhelming majority of these are ANC constituencies
Thus far the ANC has received worrying reports from the Provincial government on adversely affected areas of society as a result of this action; some areas needing close and urgent attention include:
- SMME Development programmes that have been stalled
- Frustrated poverty alleviation programmes
- Expanded Public Works activities
- Recovery of small businesses as a result of non-payments in December
- Job creation initiatives that have been stunted
- Spatial Development studies that could not continue
- Contraction of Investments
- Projects that had to be postponed or cancelled
- Maintenance of Infrastructure
- Workers that had to stop work in construction sites
- Scholar Transport had to be stopped in cases and school children are unable to attend class in some instances
- Delivery of food to schools
- Emergency services impacted in some cases
- Delivery of medicines and other supplies to hospitals and clinics
These are of grave concern to the ANC; hence the urgent need for a speedy resolution that would bring the provincial government back to normalcy and halting any more negative impact on Limpopo communities. This may be achieved via continued engagements and cooperation with both national Cabinet and the ANC nationally.
Furthermore, the PEC noted with concern the accusations of sabotage made by the National Minister of Finance, that some individuals are sabotaging the payment processes of service providers. The ANC in wishes to encourage the Minister of Finance to inform Provincial Government of the specific individuals who are responsible for the sabotage so that the matter can be dealt with swiftly and effectively. The ramifications of non-payment of service providers are hurting our Limpopo communities. Saboteurs must be dealt with urgently.
Members discussed the social and political implications of this and other pronouncements made during last Thursday's National Task Team's press conference including the statement related to the Department of Justice's readiness to prosecute and make arrests. Particularly noting with concern the callous inferences made to prosecution of individuals in the absence of due legal processes and investigation. According to the PEC, these statements sounded familiar alarm bells, raising concerns of the potential abuse of state security apparatus and executive powers as an attempt to manage political predicaments.
The PEC also reflected on and agreed with the sentiments expressed by the ANC Treasurer General Cde. Mathews Phosa during his address on the occasion of Limpopo's Provincial Centenary Commemoration on 14 January 2012; asserting the fact of the reduction of administrative and legal powers of the Premier.
According to Limpopo's PEC, the executive powers of the Provincial leadership in the government of Limpopo have been effectively curtailed by this national cabinet intervention as it has resulted in reduced authority for the Premier, Cassel Mathale as well as the rest of the Ministers of the Executive Committees, Heads of Departments and Directors General.
Other critical items on the meeting's agenda were: the political programme of the organisation for the calendar year, Regional General Councils that will be held across the province, political education and training for all branch structures, programmes involving engagements with and mass mobilisation of communities and subsequent clarification of the impact of National Cabinet intervention in the province will receive priority.
The Limpopo ANC PEC is currently in the process of finalising its programme of action (POA), communication strategy and programmes involving all its sub-committees. All PEC members are mandated to lead the organisation's programmes and guide branches of the party in programmes and activities as identified by the leadership.
The PEC also offered its well wishes to the ANC Youth League President, who is also a member of the PEC, during his first day appearance at his Appeals hearing related to his Disciplinary case brought against him by the ANC.
The ANC is gravely concerned about the prevailing situation in the province and wishes to assure all communities that it is doing its best to find quick solutions to the situation. It also wishes to thank all communities for their understanding and patience under the circumstances.
The Chairperson concluded: "We know and understand that this situation has had a hugely negative impact for various communities and we want to apologise profusely for any pain caused. We are working around the clock to resolve issues of payments and procurement of essential services to all communities."
Statement issued by ANC Limpopo Provincial Spokesperson, Cde. Makondelele Mathivha, January 23 2012
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