UDM distances itself from fake qualifications amnesty

05 August 2015 - 13:50 By Zine George

United Democratic Movement (UDM) bosses in the Eastern Cape have distanced themselves from a proposal to grant amnesty to civil servants who have fake qualifications. This follows a Daily Dispatch report on Tuesday in which UDM member of the provincial legislature (MPL) Thando Mpulu said the UDM caucus in Bhisho had resolved to lobby public support for premier Phumulo Masualle and the ANC-led government to grant amnesty to civil servants who have fake qualifications.The proposal suggested the premier declare a window period for “fake” civil servants to declare they had defrauded the system‚ and based on their frankness‚ be forgiven.The proposal further states that after the deadline government can institute a full investigation and charge those found guilty of possessing fake qualifications.In the statement‚ Mpulu claimed that similar discussions had been held across other provincial and in parliament.But UDM provincial secretary Wandile Tsipa distanced the party from the proposal.“I wish to categorically distance the Eastern Cape UDM provincial executive committee from the so-called amnesty for fake qualifications‚” said Tsipa.He said the matter would be tabled for discussion at the next PEC meeting and the way forward planned.“The UDM has never discussed such an issue‚ controversial and politically damaging as it is.”But Mpulu said only last month the UDM caucus in Bhisho had discussed legislatures the issue and resolved to seek support from civil society.The proposal would be also taken through the portfolio committees of higher education and the public service commission.Mpulu started the debate by writing an open letter to Masualle published in Tuesday’s Dispatch.Tsipa said in accordance with the UDM’s constitution‚ all the party’s public representatives were accountable to UDM political structures.“Therefore‚ at no stage were UDM MPLs in the Eastern Cape legislature given any political mandate to discuss and go public about such a thorny and controversial issue‚” he said.Tsipa said if one considered his party’s stance against fraud and corruption and the party’s promotion of clean governance in both the public and private sector‚ Mpulu’s public statements on the matter had damaged the image of the UDM.“The law will have to take its course against anyone‚ and at any level‚ who commits fraud or corruption‚” said Tsipa.Mpulu declined to comment on Tuesday saying he would like the matter to be discussed internally.The proposal was also shot down by the DA’s Athol Trollip and the Grahamstown-based advocacy group‚ the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM).PSAM head of monitoring Dr Ndodana Nleya said any attempts to deal with the scourge of fake qualifications should be treated with caution.Nleya said an amnesty or not taking action against those guilty of fraud would prejudice job applicants whose qualifications were in order. – Daily Dispatch..

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