The IFP in the KZN Legislature notes the appointment of the new MECs in the KZN provincial cabinet.
As the IFP, we are of the view that the appointment of Hon. Sipho “KK” Nkosi as the new MEC for the respective Departments of Human Settlements and Public Works has been long overdue. We believe he should have been appointed some time ago, instead of being sidelined and overlooked by the ANC.
Now, as the ANC realises their ship is sinking as we approach 2024, the organisation has decided to appoint him.
As the IFP, we believe this is because he is a disciplined and experienced leader in the organisation, has been an MPL since 2009 and has chaired the KZN Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Finance since 2014.
We believe that he has finally been recognised and nominated due to his exemplary leadership.
The IFP now calls upon the new MEC for Human Settlements to ensure that housing backlog is addressed.
One recalls that when Hon. Nkosi was the Chairperson of Finance, he was known for his no-nonsense approach in holding departments accountable for failing to spend their budgets and conditional grants, and for failing to address irregular, wasteful and unauthorised expenditure.
We call on Hon. Nkosi to “walk the talk”.
He must ensure that the R4.3 billion Budget for the 2023/24 Financial Year allocated to the Department of Human Settlements is spent in full, that the process of providing flood victims with housing is expedited, and that all housing projects implemented by his predecessor, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, are completed as planned.
In addition, he must ensure that a competent HOD for the Department of Public Works – with an impeccable track record – is appointed. This follows allegations that the former HOD in the KZN Department of Public Works, Dr Gaster Sharpley, who has allegedly been involved in corruption, has resigned.
As the IFP, we do not believe that the former MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, who has been appointed as the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, is the right person to be appointed as an MEC, as he has proven to be an ineffective leader.
He has been shown to only pursue political expedience and self-aggrandisement.
Nonetheless, we urge the new MEC to ensure that all those involved in the department’s alleged R4 million “booze scandal”, which happened earlier in April 2023 at the Durban ICC during the former KZN Arts, Sports and Culture MEC Amanda Bani-Mapena’s tenure, are held accountable.
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Contact
Mr Blessed Gwala, MPL
IFP Chief Whip in the KZN Legislature
078 290 5842
