By More Matshediso
Pretoria - Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, says there is a need for a public education campaign to root out the culture of violence amongst communities.
He said violent protests had cost the province over R70 million in destroyed social facilities.
MEC Mamabolo was speaking on Tuesday to more than 350 Gauteng ward councillors, who attended the two-day Gauteng-wide Ward Councillors’ Conference, in Kempton Park.
The ward councillors came from all municipalities in the province, and were supported by Executive Mayors, Speakers, Chief Whips and MMC’s.
He envisaged that the education campaign will encourage citizens to stop burning councillors’ houses and state facilities, and propose harsh actions to be taken against perpetrators.
“We are a democratic government and we can resolve differences through discussion. The culture of violence stifles development in our communities and must come to an end,” said MEC Mamabolo.
He said no amount of anger can justify destruction of community assets.
“Clinics, schools, libraries are not public enemies, so why should they be targeted? Because they are intended as instruments of bringing much needed help and support to communities,” MEC Mamabolo said.
The conference, which is set to become an annual event, was a first in the province. It was supported by Gauteng Premier David Makhura and COGTA Minister Pravin Gordhan.
It gathered councillors under one roof to discuss their concerns, following an increase of violence, threats and intimidation brought by a spate of service delivery protests which started last year.
“This inaugural conference was a resounding success. The work to radically transform the working conditions of ward councillors’ has begun. In the whole of September, I will be working around the clock with the officials to produce an action plan that will give effect to the conference resolutions,” MEC Mamabolo said.
The theme for the debut conference was ‘Building popular democracy and people’s power’.
Ward Committee reviewed
The conference also resolved to review the Ward Committee system in the province, following concerns that the system was ineffective and unable to support councillors in discharging their responsibilities and maximising public participation in local government.
MEC Mamabolo said he will take the proposal of reviewing the ward committee system to national COGTA, and engage Minister Gordhan.
“We are repositioning the role of Ward Councillor to take the centre stage in the implementation of a radical social and economic transformation agenda of the new provincial administration,” the MEC said.
“We have noted that there is some a level of public distrust in elected representatives and we cannot effect a radical social and economic transformation if we do not change the way government works and relate to society.”
War Room
The conference also resolved to establish what it calls a war room, which will be led by the Premier’s Office.
According to Cogta, the War Room will be used to improve government’s responsiveness to the service delivery challenges, and thus increase the level of popular customer satisfaction with government performance.
“We are satisfied that the conference will improve co-operation between provincial and local government within the context of Gauteng City Region including co-ordination, joint planning and integration of programmes for popular participation,” said MEC Mamabolo.
At the end of the conference, 46 women Councillors graduated for undergoing the Women Councillors Skills Development Programme.
“This is a very progressive way of concluding the Women’s Month by affirming our government’s commitment to women’s empowerment,” MEC Mamabolo said. - SAnews.gov.za
