Hon. Chairperson,
Hon. Premier,
Hon. Members.
As we debate the budget of the Office of the Premier today, three days ago another unfortunate incident occurred in eThekwini, when the Dakota informal settlement was devastated by fire.
It is unfortunate that while our people are struggling to make ends meet, they continue to lose their hard-earned belongings through unfortunate incidents, which make them poorer and more vulnerable.
The IFP thanks all the people who were on sight at the earliest opportunity to provide support. This includes – but is not limited to – the Gift of the Givers and Member of this House, Hon. Nessa Banprakash.
Kuyoyonke imindeni elahlekelwe impahla yayo, sizwelana kakhulu nayo futhi siyaluqonda usizi ababhekene nalo kulezindawo abasahlala kuzo.
We all agree that the Office of the Premier is the centre that must hold. It is this Office that must monitor and coordinate the functionality of the government. It is the Office of the Premier that must lead when it comes to consequence management.
The current crisis on the National School Feeding Scheme in KwaZulu-Natal is an indictment against our children, most of who depend on this food for their meaningful schooling. We call upon the Premier to intervene immediately in this crisis and, where necessary, the people responsible must account accordingly.
As the Premier has tabled the Budget of the Office of the Premier of R872 057 million, the IFP welcomes and support this Budget. Hon. Premier, the KZN Youth Empowerment Fund must be utilised in its totality, as the youth is the biggest population group on the receiving end in this province.
It will be a great affront to our unemployed Youth, Hon. Premier, if the R100 million is only a budget on paper.
The IFP believes that giving support to His Majesty and the Royal Household is an important function of the government of our province. Izigodlo EzeSilo esihleli esihlalweni. It is a matter of concern that the security personnel in the Royal Households have been removed, oNdlunkulu beSilo esebuzile abasagadwe muntu.
The IFP urges the Premier to reconsider the way things are developing in the Royal Households.
Hon. Chairperson, the IFP thanks the Office of the Premier, together with the Department of COGTA and Treasury, for working tirelessly to ensure that the matter of payment of Izinduna is finalised before the end of this term.
While this is commendable, it must be stated that this is not a new issue.
It was first raised long ago by the IFP, through the late Inkosi Nyanga Ngubane of KwaZashuke, while he was still the MEC for COGTA. Unfortunately, when the ANC was going to elections in 2014, empty promises were made in such a way that the salaries for Izinduna were declared through a Government Gazette – without consulting Treasury – which resulted in this becoming an unfunded mandate.
Those who are Doubting Thomas’s in this house won’t believe unless they see things with their own eyes.
I challenge everyone in this House who does not believe this to go and read the verbatim report (Hansard) to confirm what I am saying.
The IFP supports the Budget tabled by the Premier.
Thank you.
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