AFRIFORUM: "INTERVENTION IN PROVINCES A STEP CLOSER TO FAILED STATE"

The decision of Cabinet to intervene in Limpopo, the Free State and Gauteng is indicative of the real danger that South Africa could be moving closer to becoming a failed state.

According to AfriForum's Head of Community Affairs, Cornelius Jansen van Rensburg, the decision by Cabinet to take control of certain provincial departments was in response to maladministration, malignant corruption and a total collapse in administrative capacity in provinces.

According to Jansen van Rensburg it is surprising that Gauteng, as the richest province in South Africa, is also in need of financial and management assistance. This raises questions on the financial health and stability of other provinces. In a nervous international economic climate, South Africa can ill afford the collapse of government institutions.

In all three provinces National Government will now take over responsibilities of departments that form a critical part of provincial service delivery It is important for all South Africans to take note of this new development, as it will have an additional negative impact on service delivery.

South Africa is faced with exorbitant corruption and maladministration for which the current political administration should accept sole responsibility. "The Government's own policies are destroying governmental institutions, as well as the State's ability to render services," Jansen van Rensburg said.

According to AfriForum, a collapse at provincial and local government levels will force communities to find alternative ways to ensure sustainable service delivery. This is where civil society organisations such as AfriForum have a crucial role to play.

Statement issued by Cornelius Jansen van Rensburg, Head: Community Affairs, AfriForum, December 6 2011

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