Western Cape SACP calls for resignation of MEC Madikizela

The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape under MEC Madikizela has failed dismally to deliver houses to the poor and even failed to meet the benchmark or standard set by the ANC between 2004 and 2009.

As the SACP we are not surprised but are deeply disappointed by this colossal failure of the DA to meet its own low housing targets to provide shelter and extend basic services to the tax paying residents of the Western Cape. The SACP observes with dismay the regression in the performance and delivery of houses which means deepening the misery of the poor in townships and informal settlements across the province.

The marked regression can be summarised as follows:

• The ANC built 72 792 houses in the Western Cape from 2004 till 2009, whilst the DA has only built 42 741 houses since April 2009 till 2012.
• In 2009/10 financial year, the Department of Human Settlements targeted to build 18 000 houses but only built 16 566.
• During the 2010/11 the target was 16 000 but only constructed 14 570 houses.
• Then in 2011/12 the target was reduced to 12 640, but they could only provide 11 065 houses

This is an indictment to a government which claims efficient and effective service delivery. The majority of residents in the Western Cape live in townships and informal settlements. Areas like Mitchell's Plain, Khayelitsha, Chartsworth, De Doorns face freezing winter, floods and fire disasters while the DA fails to build houses despite increased funding from National Government.

The Western Cape government has over the years indicated that a huge and growing housing backlog, which far exceeds 500 000 per annum, exists and therefore require serious interventions to overcome. This unacceptable failure is tantamount to dereliction of duty by MEC Madikizela.  As the SACP and the entire working class community in the Western Cape we see no justification why the MEC should continue in the face of a failure of this magnitude. He must either be fired or resign!

It is not only on the housing construction that the DA has failed but on service sites the DA has regressed dramatically which is indicative of the inability to deliver basic services.

• The ANC delivered 84 526 service sites, whilst MEC Madikizela only delivered 24 102 service sites from 2009 till 2012.
• In 2009/2010 only 12 388 service sites were delivered.
• In 2010/2011 only 3 028 service sites got delivered.
• 2011/2012 the department increased the delivery slightly to 8 686

Taken to its logical conclusion this suggests that the ANC's record of delivery is unparalleled and the Democratic Alliance is unable meet the most basic needs of the population. The DA has failed spectacularly to provide decent sanitation, water and electricity to the poor.

Statement issued by Khaya Magaxa, SACP Western Cape Provincial Secretary, March 27 2013

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