EFF Gauteng statement on the unceremonious ending of the Nasi Ispani Green Army project
26 June 2024
The EFF Gauteng notes the recent circular from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment informing participants of the Green Army EPWP program about the unfortunate termination of their contracts immediately after the election. Dated June 26, 2024, the circular also notifies participants of anticipated delays in payment for work completed in June.
Despite Premier Panyaza Lesufi's attempt to discredit the letter, the EFF, the affected participants, and indeed the residents Of Gauteng recognize it as a legitimate communication from the department. It has long been public knowledge that the Nasi iSpani projects were a grand political gimmick aimed at fooling society into voting for the ANC.
The EFF Gauteng also notes the disturbing record of Panyaza Lesufi, a Premier who has taken an oath to uphold and defend the law, admitting that he was aware of the irregularities with the appointment of some of the Nasi iSpani program, and still failed to act in addressing the corruption.
The Green Army emerged in May 2023 under the EPWP program as part of the Nasi Spani campaign. Through this program, 6000 people were employed to tackle environmental degradation in Gauteng through waste management, and to combat illegal dumping particularly in townships, informal settlements, and hostels. This government project was also introduced to counter the progressive program of the EFF #AndriesTataneCleaningCampaign.
Despite the importance of addressing the crippling levels of unemployment plaguing Gauteng, which currently stand at over 34%, the Economic Freedom Fighters have from the onset of this and other Nasi Spani initiatives like the crime prevention warden program raised alarms over their unsustainability, lack of transparency, unscrupulous administration, as well as the questionable timing of their introduction.
The EFF has consistently society that these initiatives are nothing but a facade to fund the struggling campaign of the ANC in the province. This was confirmed by the statement of Collen Malatji, the President of the ANCYL, who publicly and boldly declared that the Nasi iSpani Program, a government initiative funded with public resources, must unashamedly prioritize ANC members and volunteers.
The damning result of all this is not only mismanaging public funds, failure to create sustainable jobs for our people and genuinely tackle the severe environmental issues in Gauteng, but it has also disastrously to prevent the ANC from losing massive electoral support in the province, as the results indicate. The EFF calls for genuine sustainable and long-term jobs through the creation of a state-cleaning, horticulture, and landscaping company to provide the services.
This state-owned company must collaborate with relevant municipal departments to address illegal dumping, environmental degradation, and the maintenance of public places such as cemeteries and recreational areas.
The EFF calls on organizations in the legislature to support the motion which the EFF will table in this regard as it will benefit the residents of Gauteng. In light of the admission by Premier Lesufi of irregular appointments, the EFF demands that an investigation be to hold the Premier and those responsible to account on the corruption and mismanagement of public funds.
Issued by Nkululeko Dunga, Provincial Chairperson, EFF Gauteng, 26 June 2024
