REPORT OF THE TAKING PARLIAMENT TO THE PEOPLE HELD AT OUDTSHOORN, EDEN DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE, 13 – 17 APRIL 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Background 3 2. Activities of the Taking Parliament to the People 5 3. Section A: Public Hearings 5 4. Opening Ceremony 5 5. Public Hearings on 13 April 2015 (Day 1) 9 6. Public Hearings on 14 April 2015 (Day 2) 15 7. Public Hearings on 15 April 2015 (Day 3) 25 8. Public Hearings on 16 April 2015 (Day 4) 31 9. Section B: Site Visits 36 9.1 Agriculture and Land Affairs 36 9.2 Education 39 9.3 Health 44 9.4 Home Affairs 52 9.5 Social Development 52 9.6 Police and Justice 62 9.7 Human Settlement and Water and Sanitation 66 10. Conclusion 68 2 CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF THE TAKING PARLIAMENT TO THE PEOPLE FROM 13 – 17 APRIL 2015 OUDTSHOORN 1. BACKGROUND The first Taking Parliament to the People (TPTTP) programme of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in the fifth Parliament took place at Bridgton Sports Grounds, Oudtshoorn Local Municipality in Eden District Municipality from 13 – 17 April 2015.The programme is conducted over a period of five days with the Deputy President addressing the full sitting of the House on the last day. The NCOP TPTTP programme highlighted the important role of oversight in ensuring that priorities of government are implemented in order to realise the objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP) and that local development is sustainable. The programme took place within the context of the planning session of the NCOP held at Lagoon Beach Hotel, Milnerton, on 19 – 20 August 2014 where co-operative government and intergovernmental relations were adopted as the over-arching theme of the current NCOP. Through this, the NCOP also seeks to give effect to the objectives of the NDP. In the said session Chairperson of the NCOP, Hon Thandi Modise stated that the mandate of the Fifth Parliament was based on ensuring that the commitments/priorities of the South African government are realised. These are the economy and jobs; rural development, land reform and food security; human settlements and basic services; education and training; health; and fighting crime and corruption. The Chairperson further referred to the following 14 priorities of government, which are contained in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework Plan recently adopted by Cabinet:1 Quality basic education A long and healthy life for all South Africans 1Medium-Term Strategic Framework Plan (2014 – 2019) 3 All people in South Africa are and feel safe Decent employment through inclusive growth A skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path An efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network Vibrant, equitable, sustainable rural communities contributing towards food security for all Sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life Responsive, accountable, effective and efficient local government Protection and enhancement of our environmental assets and natural resources Creation of a better South Africa and contribute to a better Africa and a better world An efficient, effective and development-oriented public service A comprehensive, responsive and sustainable social protection system A diverse, socially cohesive society with a common national identity These, as outlined above, are government outcome priorities that the Members of the National Council of Provinces (public representatives) should keep an eye on. During the same session, Hon Tau, the Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, stated that the TPTTP programme was initiated to enhance public participation. Further, that, it is intended for places that are regarded as „the back of beyond‟ and that the programme encourages citizen involvement and participation in responding to service delivery challenges facing communities. It also provides an opportunity for oversight. This is the programme that brings all spheres of government together under one roof. 4 2. ACTIVITIES OF THE TAKING PALIAMENT TO THE PEOPLE FROM 13 – 17 APRIL 2015 HELD IN OUDTSHOORN, EDEN DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY The report is divided into two sections, namely; Section A and Section B. Section A captures service delivery issues raised by members of the public during the public hearings and Section B captures service delivery issues emanating from the sites that were visited. 2.1. SECTION A: PUBLIC HEARINGS The public hearings dealt with oral submissions made by the members of the public as well as the responses and commitments made by the government authorities. This section includes all the public hearings held, on Local Government, Human Settlement, and Water and Sanitation, Education, Health, Social Development and Home Affairs, Agriculture, Labour and Land Affairs, and Police and Justice and Energy. 2.1.1. OPENING CEREMONY Welcome remarks by Cllr W van der Westhuizen, Executive Mayor of Eden District Municipality: in his opening r e m a r k s , Cllr W van der Westhuizen expressed a word of gratitude to the NCOP for awarding the people of Eden District Municipality an opportunity to raise their service delivery issues through the programme of Taking Parliament to the People. He indicated that the Municipality has made admirable achievements on the following: Flush toilets are currently at 78%, Piped water in dwellings are currently are currently at 71.8%, Refuge removal are currently at 86.4%, and Electricity for lighting is currently at 91.10%. The executive mayor said that notwithstanding these achievements, the district is still facing challenges such as high rate of unemployment, reliance on hand-outs, 5 drug and alcohol abuse and suicide amongst youngsters. In his conclusion, Cllr van der Westhuizen said that partnerships with relevant spheres of government and the NCOP is needed in order to address challenges faced by the people of Eden District Municipality. Remarks delivered by Hon. S Fernandez, Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature: the Speaker expressedher appreciation to the NCOP for convening the Taking Parliament to the People. She said that the Western Cape provincial parliament prides itself in conducting its constitutional functions efficiently and effectively with specific emphasis on oversight. The Speaker informed the gathering that the Constitution provides a framework for a system that is representative and participatory. She said that such constitutional obligation requires public participation that is meaningful in improving the quality of policy, legislation and strengthen accountability. She indicated that such constitutional obligation is not fully implemented as there is no integrated approach in fulfilling this constitutional mandate. She emphasised that the less powerful and organised should not be excluded to participate in the parliamentary processes. She said that the following key principles are effective for public participation: Inclusive participation (especially traditionally excluded groups) Scope of participation initiatives (from identification and design to monitoring and evaluation). Provision of quality information Commitment to respond to inputs. Coordination and operational efficiency. In her closing remarks she said that the Legislature remain committed to engage people on issues affecting the people and further to cooperate with other spheres of government to fast-track service delivery. 6 Remarks delivered by Cllr. D Qually, SALGA Provincial Chairperson, and Western Cape Provincial Legislature: Cllr Qually acknowledged that over the past 21 years government has made significant progress in many areas. However he conceded that the country has yet to overcome all the negative legacies of its past .She said that the synergy of the coordinated strengths and resources, and cooperative efforts will make a positive and substantial contribution to improved development of the citizens. Cllr Qually shared with the gathering that no municipality in the Western Cape is the Auditor General‟s 2001 red zone. He said that audit outcomes have improved generally in the Western Cape. He further stated that the Kannaland Municipality has received an unqualified report for the 2013/14 financial year. Cllr Qually indicated that SALGA supports the concept of “Back to basics” which includes the principle of differentiation between municipalities that functions well and those that are still experiencing challenges. He said that despite these achievements, there is still a need for the NCOP and SALGA to play a significant part in addressing some of the more fundamental issues impacting on service delivery. Cllr Qually indicated that excessive legislative, regulation and reporting requirements are having negative impact on municipalities. He expressed his gratitude on the willingness by the NCOP to take an active role in addressing these impediments. Cllr Qually said that SALGA is committed to working with the NCOP and other spheres to find sustainable and long term solutions to the fundamental challenges facing the communities. Address by Hon. Dr I H Meyer, MEC for Finance in the Western Cape Province: In his address, the MEC highlighted the following interventions that are being implemented in the Eden region by the provincial government: Infrastructure spending on education, housing, health and transport totaling R1,43 billion is allocated to the Eden District with transport receiving R788,1 million, education R319million, health R41,6million and human settlements 7 R279 million A total of R40 million is to be spent on road infrastructure in the Stillbaai