DA slams provincial re-zoning

2005-12-16 20:39

Cape Town - Changes to the geography of the existing provinces will have major implications for the country, warns the Democratic Alliance.

DA provincial and local government spokesperson Willem Doman said on Thursday: "In its lust for total power, the ANC appears willing to effect major constitutional amendments that will have a disastrous effect on our system of governance and service delivery".

Doman was responding to Provincial and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi, who said on Wednesday that some provinces might not be viable.

Mufamadi made the comments at a media briefing - just after the National Council of Provinces had approved legislation doing away with cross-boundary municipalities.

Mufamadi added that considerable consultation would have to precede any changes to provinces, emphasising that no decisions had yet been taken.

However, Doman said reducing the number of provinces would mean reneging on the agreement reached at the multi-party negotiations.

'Governments are not functioning'

"It is as important now as it was then that regional interests should have a say in the running of their own affairs," said Doman.

He said resizing provinces and redrawing boundaries would have serious implications for the outcome of elections, and such a major constitutional amendment would hand more power to the centre, but would not improve service delivery.

?Provincial and local governments are not functioning because of corruption, overzealous affirmative action, jobs for pals and the resulting lack of skills in the public service.

"Centralisation will not make these problems disappear. On the contrary, taking government further away from the people will undermine the goal of effective, responsive and accountable government," said Doman.

- SAPA