Premier Lesufi has nothing new to offer – Solly Msimanga – POLITICS

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng does not expect Premier Panyaza Lesufi to offer anything new to improve the lives of our residents during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) tomorrow.

If Lesufi truly cared about the residents of this province, he would take them into his confidence and admit that all the initiatives he announced earlier this year were only an electioneering campaign. The recent termination of the teacher assistants, who were promised that their one-year contracts would be extended for another 12 months, is one example. 32 000 teacher assistants are now without income, and their families will struggle to survive.

Furthermore, the crime prevention wardens (Amapanyaza) appointed under the Nasi Ispani programme have not made a dent in reducing crime in the province. Residents in areas riddled with gangsterism are still living in fear, although around 6 000 crime prevention wardens have been deployed.

The economy of this province can only flourish if the current government creates the correct environment for the private sector to invest in the province. It is not the government’s responsibility to create jobs, but to create a conducive environment for the economy to grow. For investor confidence to be boosted, crime should be curbed, and corruption must be rooted out. Furthermore, the water and electricity infrastructure should be fixed.