Makhura’s government is a failure
19 February 2019
Despite the attempts by the Gauteng Premier, Mr David Makhura, to polish his provincial government's image and its operations of the last five years during his last provincial address (SOPA) in Alberton, it is clear that his government failed the residents of Gauteng as it was unable to turn the province around.
Over the last five years, numerous scandals sent shock waves through the province, among others, the Esidimeni Life tragedy in which two of his former MECs were involved, namely Qedani Mahlangu and Brian Hlongwa. Mahlangu and Hlongwa played a key role in the destruction of the province's health care system and Hlongwa was also implicated in alleged corruption amounting to nearly R1,2 billion.
The health care system has deteriorated to such an extent that Gwen Ramokgopa was appointed as MEC in Mahlangu's place to get things back on track, but thus far she has been unsuccessful.
The province's infrastructure has also deteriorated as provincial buildings, schools, hospitals, roads and bridges were not properly maintained. The Emfuleni Local Municipality ceased to function and this week, the national defence force announced that it cannot continue with the clean-up and repair work without the necessary funding.