From a budget of R788.45 million for the financial year ahead, an amount of R757.26 million is allocated for these costs.

The wage bill alone amounts to R615 million or 78,7 % of the budget.

Furthermore, the department has a vacancy rate of 82% with 3 000 vacant posts.

In program 3 “Development and Planning” which is the core program of the department, a whopping R97.595 million is being budgeted for staff costs, consultants and S&T from a program budget of R 108.808 million.

This means that only R11.229million is left over for departmental operations to support municipalities this financial year.

There needs to be a complete overhaul of the way the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs delivers its mandate in this province.

The department is sitting on a service delivery time bomb which may have violent consequences unless it seriously revises how it conveys its core business to the province.

Chapter 13 of the government’s National Development Plan titled “Building a capable State” articulates in detail how staff should be appointed and how a government department should function effectively.

The department must take heed of this plan and implement it forthwith.

In my speech to the House I suggested various “quick wins” and other ways that the department should be operating in order to deliver effective services to the communities we serve.

These suggestions have been implemented with great success in the DA- governed Western Cape. This includes:

1. A mass rollout of mobile Thusong Service Centres in the province.

2. Co-ordination between the provincial department and all municipalities to streamline service delivery.

3. Job creation through the Integrated Development Plans of municipalities.

4. Immediate recruitment of scarce-skilled employees.

The latest report of the South African Reconciliation Barometer states that confidence in local government in the country was lowest in the Eastern Cape.

The department cannot continue to be an employment agency for party- connected cadres.

An urgent operational turnaround is needed if local government is to succeed in the province.

With an estimated backlog of 75 000 units for the province costing in excess of R2 billion and rising it must be questioned whether this rectification nightmare will ever be solved.

I will be stating in my budget speech the need for the mandate of National Home Building Registration Council (NHBRC) to be reviewed at provincial level.

The Democratic Alliance will also be asking for a review of the mandate of the NHBRC at national level as it is clear that regular building inspection and issuing of “happy letters” to beneficiaries has not been up to standard.

When a housing unit is constructed the project and the contractor need to be registered with the NHBRC.

Why then have so many inept and unqualified contractors been allowed to build housing units if they were registered with the NHBRC?

Furthermore, the demolishing and rebuilding of- or rectifying of houses constitutes fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

In my speech I will be suggesting that the following takes place so that we move away from the rectification nightmare:

1. A thorough audit of all houses be done in the province to ascertain the exact number of house to be rectified in the province.

2. A re-look at the mandate of the NHBRC and to ascertain why, given their mandate to inspect housing projects and offer protection to beneficiaries, this not being done.

3. The alternative to mass construction of RDP houses be sought. The new way to go should be to give beneficiaries serviced plots with a title deed. By so doing, security of tenure is guaranteed and beneficiaries can then access to build a home from funding from a bank. This empowers individuals and communities and reduces the dependency syndrome for individuals wanting a house provided by the state.

4. Education of beneficiaries in home maintenance is an urgent priority.

5. Implementation of the National Development Plan “Building better Communities” and their futuristic plans for green construction and improved spatial planning must now be implemented by the department.

6. Housing centres and building supply companies offering merchandise at competitive prices be established throughout the province but with particular emphasis on rural areas so as to fast track quality home construction in these areas.

If an end-time and fixed budget period is not put in place to solve our current rectification problems in this province this will become an ongoing issue with dire financial consequences for the national and provincial fiscus.

Scholars will be the victims of academic failure if they can’t access transport to school. If the funding is used up by October, children will be without transport during most important time of an academic year: final exams. This situation is creating anxiety among schools, parents and learners alike.

From 1 April 2012 to 26 October 2012, seven months into the contract, the department’s actual spending will have been R344 million for 54 472 learners.

While the portfolio committee on transport has been given assurances that the department is negotiating with National Treasury in this regard, no extra funding has yet been secured.

The DA passed a motion in the National Council of Provinces to alert both the Ministers of Education and of Transport of the looming shortfall and the effect on learners.

I will in my speech today during the legislature debate on the budget for the Department of Transport be asking these questions and suggest that:

1. The department do proper budget planning and oversight of One Future 46 and request regular financial- and progress reports.

2. That the department reports to the portfolio committee on transport on the legitimacy of the R134 million shortfall on the contract with One Future 46, in terms of the PFMA.

3. The department plan and develop a medium to long term holistic integrated transport strategy for the province allowing scholars and the public alike to choose the mode of transport that best satisfies their individual transport needs.

The DA will continue to drive the issue until there is a guarantee that transport for the all 115 000 learners on the province who are in need of transport is secure.

Learners have the right to the open opportunities that a quality education can offer.

This is an alarming indictment of police efficiency. The rot must stop and discipline must be restored. Action must be taken.

A safe and secure environment is one of the pre-conditions for economic growth. This kind of inefficiency contributes to joblessness in the Eastern Cape.

Yesterday I tabled a parliamentary question to determine whether the SAPS conducts similar studies and if not, we want to know why. The SAPS also needs to rectify the incorrectly listed numbers.

Provincially the SAPS must pull up its socks by increasing police responsiveness when it comes to telephone calls. People only phone police stations when they are in urgent need of assistance. One hates to imagine how many calls are going unanswered from victims of crime in this province.

The DA will continue to monitor this situation to ensure police efficiency is improved in the province. I have also written to the MEC for Safety and Liaison, Helen Sauls-August, requesting her department as part of their oversight role to monitor the answering of telephones.

Not Answered

1. Algoapark (041-3947205) NA (12.03pm 4.5.2012

2. Bavianskloof (Phone: 049-8391033) NA (11.39am 21.5.2012)

3. Bell (Phone: 040-6770255) NA (11.45am 21.05.2012)

4. Bityi (Phone: 047-5389901) NA (11.54am 21.05.2012)

5. Buffalo Flats (Phone: 043-7095506) NA (12.15pm 21.05.2012)

6. Butterworth (Phone: 047-4013455) NA (12.20pm 21.05.2012)

7. Cathcart (Phone: 045-8436005) NA (12.27pm 21.05.2012)

8. Centani (Phone: 047-4981054) NA (12.28pm 21.05.2012)

9. Chalumna (Phone: 043-7811639) NA (12.30pm 21.05.2012)

10. Chungwa (Phone: 040-6562325) NA (12.34pm 21.05.2012)

11. Dalasile (Phone: 047–5486200/1) Both NA (12.53pm 21.05.2012)

12. Despatch (Phone: 041-9333291) NA (1.05pm 21.05.2012)

13. Dimbaza (Phone: 040-6564300) NA (1.08pm 21.05.2012)

14. Doringkloof (Phone: 046-6840859) NA (1.12pm 21.05.2012)

15. Duncan Village (Phone: 043-7224765) NA (1.17pm 21.05.2012)

16. East London (Phone: 043-7225555) NA (1.21pm 21.05.2012)

17. Flagstaff (Phone: 039-2520211) NA (2.13pm 21.05.2012)

18. Fort Brown (Phone: 046-6227777) NA (2.17pm 21.05.2012)

19. Glen Grey (Phone: 047-8788798) NA (2.29pm 21.05.2012)

20. Grahamstown (Phone: 046-6039100) NA (2.35pm 21.05.2012)

21. Hankey (Phone: 041-2848201) NA (2.46pm 21.05.2012)

22. Healdtown (Phone: 040-6459050) NA (2.55pm 21.05.2012)

23. Hogsback (Phone: 045-9621030) NA (3.07pm 21.05.2012)

24. Humansdorp (Phone: 042-2004700) NA (3.13pm 21.05.2012)

25. Humewood (Phone: 041-5045057) NA (3.13pm 21.05.2012)

26. Indwe (Phone: 045-9521183) NA (3.18pm 21.05.2012)

27. Inyibiba (Phone: 043-7084600/1) Both NA (3.21pm 21.05.2012)

28. Kabega Park (Phone: 041-3601702) NA (3.32pm 21.05.2012)

29. Kamesh (Phone: 042-9888722) NA (3.35pm 21.05.2012)

30. Kareedouw (Phone: 042-2887400) NA (3.39pm 21.05.2012)

31. Keiskammahoek (Phone: 040-6580205) NA (3.44pm 21.05.2012)

32. Kolomane (Phone: 040-6358002) NA (4.08pm 21.05.2012)

33. Kwaaiman (Phone: 047-5759205) NA (4.14pm 21.05.2012)

34. Mount Fletcher (Phone: 039-2570003) NA (5.48pm 21.05.2012)

35. Mount Frere (Phone: 039-2551419) NA (5.48pm 21.05.2012)

36. Moyeni (Phone: 040-6761066) NA (5.50pm 21.05.2012)

37. Msobomvu (Phone: 047-4920301) NA (5.53pm 21.05.2012)

38. Mthatha (Phone: 047-5312221) NA (5.53pm 21.05.2012)

39. New Brighton (Phone: 041-3947302) NA (6.00pm 21.05.2012)

40. Ngqeleni (Phone: 047-5680329) NA (6.02pm 21.05.2012)

41. Queenstown (Phone: 045-8081888) NA (6.36pm 21.05.2012)

42. Qumbu (Phone: 047-5530003) NA (6.37pm 21.05.2012)

43. St Francis Bay (Phone: 042-2001818) NA (7.02pm 21.05.2012)

44. Steve Vukile Tshwete (Phone: 040-6360012) NA (7.42pm 21.05.2012)

45. Storms River (Phone: 042-2811678) NA (7.44pm 21.05.2012)

46. Sulenkama (Phone: 047-5570465) NA (7.45pm 21.05.2012)

47. Swartkops (Phone: 041-4088333) NA (7.47pm 21.05.2012)

48. Thembalethu (Phone: 044-8028900) NA (7.52pm 21.05.2012)

49. Thornhill (Phone: 040-8450010) NA (7.53pm 21.05.2012)

50. Tina Falls (Phone: 047-5530041/53) Both NA (7.54pm 21.05.2012)

51. Tylden (Phone: 045-8397111) NA (8.03pm 21.05.2012)

52. Whittlesea (Phone: 040-8421753) NA (8.37pm 21.05.2012)

53. Willowvale (Phone: 047-4996215) NA (8.38pm 21.05.2012)

Numbers not working

1. Addo (042-2330314) Does not exist (11.43am 4.5.2012)

2. Aliwal North (051-6331482) Wrong number (12.08pm 4.5.2012)

3. Barkly East (045-9710099) Does not exist (11.36am 21.5.2012)

4. Beacon Bay (043-7486071/0) Both do not exist (11.41am 21.5.2012)

5. Bedford (Phone: 046-6850264) Does not exist (11.42am 21.05.2012)

6. Bisho Airport (Phone: 040-2551015) Broken (11.52am 21.05.2012)

7. Gelvandale (Phone: 041-4527070) Does not exist (. 21.05.2012)

8. Ilinge (Phone: 047-8729008) Fax (3.16pm 21.05.2012)

9. Kwanobuhle (Phone: 041-9786100) Call failed (4.17pm 21.05.2012)

10. Kwazakele (Phone: 041-4019101) Does not exist (4.17pm 21.05.2012)

11. Lady Frere (Phone: 047-8768008) Does not exist (4.18pm 21.05.2012)

12. Lukholweni (Phone: 039-2573012) Fax (4.33pm 21.05.2012)

13. Lusikisiki (Phone: 039-2531333) Does not exist (4.34pm 21.05.2012)

14. Maluti (Phone: 039-2560108) Wrong number (4.44pm 21.05.2012)

15. Madadeni (034-3146600/02) (1) Does not exist (2) NA (4.36pm 21.05.2012)

16. Middelburg (EC) (Phone: 049-8421958) Wrong number (4.59pm 21.05.2012)

17. Mooiplaas (Phone: 043-8511441) Does not exist (5.43pm 21.05.2012)

18. Mpisi (Phone: 039-2517003) Does not exist (5.50pm 21.05.2012)

19. Mzamba (Phone: 039-3656080) Does not exist (5.56pm 21.05.2012)

20. Ndevana (Phone: 040-6470078) Does not exist (5.58pm 21.05.2012)

21. Rhodes (Phone: 045-9749000) Fax (6.40pm 21.05.2012)

22. Thornhill Ciskei (Phone: 042-2860745) Does not exist (7.53pm 21.05.2012)

23. Uitenhage (Phone: 041-9963606) Does not exist (8.04pm 21.05.2012)

24. Uniondale (Phone: 044-7521003) Does not exist (8.07pm 21.05.2012)

25. Vulindlela (Phone: 043-7622111) Does not exist (8.39pm 21.05.2012)

26. Walmer (Phone: 041-5811949) Does not exist (8.30pm 21.05.2012)

27. Willowmore (Phone: 044-9238131) Fax (8.38pm 21.05.2012)

There was no mention of the bailout at yesterday’s provincial legislature in Bhisho, where the department’s original 2012/2013 budget was tabled and accepted.

The much talked about bailout formed no part of the health portfolio committee’s report, and was not even mentioned by health MEC Sicelo Gqobana.

This year the embattled department received R15.1-billion for the 2012/2013 fiscal year, which amounts to a R424-million cut from the revised 2011/2012 budget.

Medical fraternities across South Africa warned the insufficient budget was crippling the public health care system in the province.

But the department, which admitted urgent assistance was needed to avert disaster, will now be forced to work within the current reduced budget.

Health met the provincial treasury last week in a last-ditch effort to motivate for a bailout.

The Daily Dispatch has learnt that much of the budget pressure comes from unfunded mandates imposed by the intergovernmental fiscal relations (IGFR) system coupled with the R424-million sliced off last year’s total.

The IGFR system operates with the national government setting the policies, while the provinces have to implement them. The department needed the R1.1-billion bailout to service an overdraft that was not covered by the treasury.

Without it, the department’s effective budget for the current year would be reduced by that amount.

The decreased baseline led to R492-million being unfunded for the occupational specific dispensation (OSD) and R125-million being unfunded for pay progression, among other shortfalls.

Apart from the 2012/13 budget burden, the department needs an additional R9-billion to fill 27 000 critical vacancies in the Eastern Cape and has a R19-billion infrastructure backlog.

The department is already suffering, with a new haematology unit, opened only weeks ago in Port Elizabeth, remaining empty as there is no money to employ staff.

Addressing the legislature, the DA’s shadow health MEC, MPL John Cupido, said: “I strongly urge the chairman of the committee to lead by example and call for the complete overhaul of the budget.”

He said the health budget needed to be completely reworked and increased by at least R3-billion.

“It does not take a financial genius to see where this department is heading. I cannot find it in my heart to support this budget.”

Meanwhile, the DA picketed outside the embattled department’s headquarters in Bhisho yesterday morning.

The rolling picket – scheduled till Friday – was led by DA shadow minister of health and MP Patricia Kopane.

A memorandum of demands was handed over to corporate strategy deputy director-general Dr Thabo Sibeko.

The memorandum included the call for an uninterrupted supply of medication and an adequate number of doctors and nurses for the public healthcare system.

Kopane said the party was picketing to highlight the problems plaguing the department.

“While there is no easy solution the DA realises the department needs a bailout,” she said. “But the money needs to be utilised and not squandered.”

Doctors in Mthatha downed stethoscopes on Monday to get attention from the government about non-payment of salaries, with some defaults dating back to December.

The lunchtime picket at Mthatha Hospital Complex saw over half the institution’s doctors protest against the department’s failure to pay them.

Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said yesterday the department has made headway in paying medical staff.

“The department will be paying stipends to 3 616 community health care workers and salaries of 260 other staff members, including doctors. They will get the money on Thursday [tomorrow],” he said.

The late payment comes after the provincial treasury ordered the health department to freeze all new appointments and put a “moratorium” on hiring new staff without authorisation from the provincial treasury.

This indirectly led to almost 7 000 community health workers, community service pharmacists, doctors and nurses not receiving April salaries.

During this fiscal year, Kupelo said budget pressure from accruals and OSD payments had caused over-expenditure on the salary budget.

He said the remaining unpaid health workers would be paid next week as the process continued. — Additional reporting by Mayibongwe Maqhina

There is a very serious need for the Health budget to be completely overhauled and increased by an amount of R3 billion at the very least.

The ANC leadership of this province has seen it fit to decrease the budget for Health for a second year in a row while in reality we need to be increasing our government spending on Health, as the population grows.

We refuse to support a budget that does not address the 27 000 vacancies of critical staff, especially doctors and nurses in the province.

We refuse to support a budget that does not supply efficient funding to pay the salaries of existing doctors and nurses.

We refuse to support a budget that does not even start to address the R19.1 billion health care infrastructure backlog that is increasing by at least R800 million a year.

We refuse to support a budget that cannot supply the 27 x-ray machines needed in the province.

I reiterate my call: the budget must not be passed

DA shadow minister for human settlements Stevens Mokgalapa visited the Sweetwaters project site, which stalled in its first phase, as part of a national tour to examine the workmanship in low cost housing.

“The visit is to expose the poor quality workmanship done in building these houses, expose white elephants like this project and show what corruption and cronyism does to poor people,” Mokgalapa said.

During the visit, he was shown around 57 housing units. He was accompanied by local DA members, councillors and MPL Dacre Haddon. There were claims water and electricity were not provided at another phase in the area.

The project started in 2005 and was awarded to three different contractors.

Apparently the project was meant to have 620 units and two other contractors were appointed to finish the remainder but to no avail.

“This one alone should have cost around R3-million so that is R30-million of taxpayers’ money that went down the drain. That is unacceptable,” Mokgalapa said.

He charged the project showed corruption in housing and the awarding of tenders were still problems.

“All 57 should be demolished. We spend money to rebuild while we could have used the money to build further.”

The national government had allocated R930-million for rectifying shoddily built houses, he added.

“It tells you if you use R930-million to rectify, you actually don’t deal with the backlog of 2.2 million units.”

The need for rectification on such a masive scale sent a message the National Home Builders’ Registration Council should do its job properly.

“If they were doing their job properly from the first instance we would not be here, because the poor quality of the workmanship is due to them not inspecting what these contractors are doing.”

He said he would take up the issue of Sweetwaters with Sexwale, who last year announced contractors would be monitored for the quality of their work and blacklisted if necessary.

“I am informed in the Eastern Cape only seven were blacklisted and this one, who built these shoddy houses, was even deployed to build other houses in Seymour.

“So a person who failed to build properly is rewarded with another project. It means they are not serious when they say they’ll blacklist contractors. I will follow up on this one,” he said.

Mokgalapa said BCM received an urban settlement development grant to provide basic services such as water, sanitation, sewerage and electricity.

“I will make sure the municipality accounts on what they did with that grant. It is unacceptable these houses don’t have basic services,” Mokgalapa said.

Haddon said he was concerned the contractors responsible for shoddy work were not prosecuted.

“I will ask for a report on every contractor who has work, how many defaulted and what we do in each case.

“There are certain ones who must go,” he said, adding he was uncertain how much it would cost and how many houses had to be rectified in the Eastern Cape.

There was no comment from BCM or the provincial human settlements department by the time of going to print. Metro spokesman Keith Ngesi said questions had been sent to the housing section while the Daily Dispatch was unable to contact human settlements spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha. — mayibongwem@dispatch.co.za

John Cupido, Eastern Cape Shadow MEC for Health handed over a memorandum to Dr. Thabo Sibeko, DDG: Corporate Strategy of the Department of Health in Bhisho on Tuesday, 29 May, as part of a rolling picket campaign for the week. Cupido was accompanied by Patricia Kopane (MP), DA Shadow Minister of Health.

The DA began a week of rolling pickets this morning outside Health Department offices in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo. The protests across two provinces are in solidarity with those suffering as a result of the healthcare meltdown in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape.

The memorandum submitted in both provinces demands –

• The uninterrupted supply of all basic and life-saving medication to healthcare facilities

• That adequate numbers of doctors and nurses are available to care for patients in public facilities

• That properly managed and budgeted infrastructure plans be put in place to address equipment and building deficits

While people suffer without the most basic healthcare, the ANC is demonstrating its narrow focus on internal politics ahead of Mangaung as it marches against freedom of expression today.

The DA’s protests this week are aimed at putting the focus on the governance crisis affecting the health of thousands of South Africans who rely on public healthcare in these two provinces.

In both provinces poor planning has led to tons of medication being destroyed while people go without basic life-saving drugs in clinics. Limpopo recently tried to sell off tons off expiring medicine and the Eastern Cape was forced to destroy tons of old stock.

There are also basic infrastructure and equipment shortages that could be prevented. At least 27 x-ray machines are urgently needed in the Eastern Cape where people are travelling hundreds of kilometres now for the most basic of tests. In Limpopo, a recent DA visit to Gakgapane hospital revealed the lack of not only x-ray machines, but also beds and maintenance to buildings.

Severe shortages of doctors and nurses and problems in their payment have led to many patients being unable to receive basic treatment at healthcare facilities. The Eastern Cape, for instance, has over 16 000 nurse vacancies but due to maladministration has placed a moratorium on hiring new medical professionals – leading to urgent calls for national intervention.

From tomorrow, pickets will be dedicated to resolving one of each of the three major crises in public healthcare in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape. The DA will release one solution every day based on how we would resolve the crisis if we governed if these provinces – medicine shortages; nurse and doctor shortages; and infrastructure deficits.

The solutions we are demanding to be put in place in these provinces will be based on successful strategies for public healthcare where we govern.

Pickets outside Health Departments will begin at 9am each morning and continue throughout the week. We must not allow the Limpopo and Eastern Cape governments to escape from their responsibilities toward the health of all South Africans relying on public healthcare.

Nothing could illustrate the priorities of each party better. The ANC’s focus is on shutting down the open society to protect a powerful clique from scrutiny. The DA’s focus is to find ways to build the opportunity society so that all South Africans have a shot at true freedom.

I will open the Eastern Cape picket with Patricia Kopane (MP), DA Shadow Minister of Health, outside the Dukumbana building in Bhisho at 10:00.

We will submit memorandums of demands in solidarity with –

• People unable to get treatment at local facilities due to nurse and doctor shortages

• Patients unable to access life-saving chronic medication

• Staff and patients coping with crumbling facilities and a lack of equipment

We will demand that solutions to the basic governance problems common to both provinces be implemented. The solutions we will be calling for are based on tested methods we are applying where we govern.

Pickets will begin at 10:00 on Tuesday morning (29 May) and continue throughout the week. We must not allow factional mobilisation within the ANC to detract from the substantive issues affecting the people of South Africa.

Media enquiries:

John Cupido (MPL)

DA Shadow MEC for Health

083 336 6987

Cecile Greyling

Media Officer

083 466 2320

A tour of the facility by Weekend Post this week found that, even though East London’s only other mortuary in Mdantsane is over-burdened, the Woodbrook facility is unable to operate because it lacks vital finishing touches and equipment.

A staffer also said there had been no sign of construction workers on site for two months.

And, although Woodbrook is being used to store bodies in its fridges because the Mdantsane Mortuary fridges are full, there is no hot water in the building for staff to wash their hands properly.

The mortuary has also yet to be supplied with dissection tables in its renovated autopsy areas and there is no security at the building at night, sparking fears evidence in criminal cases could be tampered with.

In an investigation in August last year by Weekend Post’s sister newspaper, the Daily Dispatch, reporters found bodies stashed high in a broken freezer, corpses on trays on the floor and uncovered bodies on the ground.

The mortuary closed shortly afterwards for renovation, but has yet to re-open.

A staffer said besides the lack of hot water, the areas where bodies were dissected and stored had not been tiled during the renovation, which would make thorough cleaning after post mortems difficult.

The fridge also has a faulty light, making it difficult to identify bodies when loved ones came to view them.

Furthermore, there are not enough vehicles to collect bodies in the event of an accident where multiple bodies need to be transported to the mortuary.

This week garbage bags full of rubbish and piles of bent and dirty steel trolleys were stashed in a room adjoining the fridge where bodies were being kept. DA shadow MEC for health John Cupido, who accompanied Weekend Post on the tour, said he was “outraged” that the Health Department was dragging its heels in completing the mortuary’s upgrade.

“It just needs minor finishing touches in order to become fully functional, yet it has stood untouched by contractors for two months.

“This immediately decreases the quality of forensic services and the dignity that should be shown towards people’s loved ones.”

Cupido said he was also concerned about security at the mortuary, saying this could lead to criminals tampering with evidence.

“There is no one here after hours so it is possible that a person could steal a body and dispose of it as a way of disposing of evidence.”

Department of Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo referred questions to the director of specialised services in the department, Dr Tobela Nogela.

Dr Nogela could not be reached for comment.