The decline of service delivery in the North West continues amid ongoing ANC infighting in the province. The most recent development, which came to light on 12 august 2021, is that the North West Premier, Job Mokgoro, dismissed the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Housing and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), Mmoloki Cwaile, with immediate effect.
Cwaile, however, circulated a letter among Members of the Provincial Legislature announcing his “resignation” along with allegations that he has to resign due to his “inability to be what the ANC expects of him”.
This follows the principle decision taken by Cabinet earlier that serious interventions, including the dissolution of municipal councils, are needed at a number of municipalities in the North West.
It has since come to light that the Premier was apparently unaware of Cabinet’s decision and that the correct procedures and protocols were not followed with regard to provincial government as well as the Provincial Legislature Committee on CoGHSTA.
The impact of the chaotic state of affairs in the provincial government and local communities, in particular, is enormous.
Companies are terminating their business activities in the province due to the worsening conditions and there are basically no signs of new investors.
Clover’s withdrawal from Lichtenburg serves as an example and it has resulted in the loss of hundreds of job opportunities.
The FF Plus has pointed out more than once that the biggest employers in the North West are small to medium business enterprises, which are now forced to look for greener pastures due to the poor and unreliable municipal service delivery in the province.
The ANC’s faction fights in the North West and the misuse of government structures to settle the scores are threatening to push the province over the edge of ruin. It is a crying shame, but ANC leaders have once again demonstrated that they place their own interests as well as those of their deployed cadres before the interests of communities.
Under ANC rule, the North West has been plagued by mismanagement, corruption and instability.
In the upcoming local government elections, voters must stand up and stand with the FF Plus to put a stop to the decline of local government.
Read the original article in Afrikaans by Michal Groenewald on FF Plus
