There is renewed trouble in paradise after the ANC and DA in KwaZulu-Natal locked horns over a move by DA provincial finance MEC Francois Rodgers to place the education department, led by the ANC’s Sipho Hlomuka, under administration.
The two parties, together with the IFP and NFP, form a government of provincial unity (GPU) in KZN. The ructions between the ANC, DA and IFP are threatening to collapse the GPU in the province.
Rodgers has warned that the transport department — led by another ANC member, Siboniso Duma — is also on its way to being placed under administration if it does not shape up.
In a media briefing in Durban on Wednesday, KwaZulu-Natal ANC provincial task team coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu said they are tired of the behaviour of Rodgers and provincial Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi in the GPU.
Mabuyakhulu accused Rodgers and Buthelezi of targeting the ANC.
“The ANC in KZN finds repugnant the utterances of Rodgers when he warned that the transport department is on its way to being placed under administration, after placing the education department under administration,” he said.
He accused Rodgers of abusing his position by politically targeting ANC-run departments. “This posture cannot be left unchallenged because at its core, it is about how the GPU should function.”
In response to Mabuyakhulu’s claims, KwaZulu-Natal DA deputy leader Sthembiso Ngema said they are not going to be dictated to by the ANC on how they should run their departments.
“We are not going to be intimidated or shaken by the rhetoric made by the ANC,” said Ngema, adding that the ANC should do an introspection on how they are running their departments.
Ngema said they have confidence in Rodgers and know that everything he does is according to the book.
[MEC Francois Rodgers] will continue to question the use of public funds to ensure that they are used for the benefit of the people of KwaZulu-Natal. His actions are based on principle and not politics
— Sthembiso Ngema, KZN DA deputy leader
“The DA strongly refutes allegations made by Mabuyakhulu. This claim is nothing but a desperate attempt to deflect attention from the real issue at hand: ensuring accountability and transparency in government.
“As the DA in KwaZulu-Natal, we are proud of the excellent leadership we have deployed to lead government departments, including Rodgers in the finance department. His mandate is to protect the public purse and ensure that public funds are used efficiently and effectively.”
Ngema said the facts speak for themselves that the provincial education department is in a shambles.
“When the education department required upfront cash flow for norms and standards, MEC Rodgers was called to assist with R900m. When the transport department needed funds to pay suppliers, MEC Rodgers was approached with urgency to assist. Similarly, when the office of the premier required more funds to hire doctors and nurses, MEC Rodgers ensured that due process would be followed with an adjustment budget.”
Ngema said Rodgers is committed to ensuring accountability, consequence management and transparency in government.
“He will continue to question the use of public funds to ensure that they are used for the benefit of the people of KwaZulu-Natal. His actions are based on principle and not politics.”
He called on Mabuyakhulu to retract his baseless claims.
Attempts to obtain comment from the IFP in response to the ANC’s claims directed to Buthelezi were unsuccessful.
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