Mashatile re-election is bad news - DA
2010-05-09 22:16
Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Sunday described the re-appointment of Paul Mashatile as Gauteng's African National Congress (ANC) chair as "bad news" for the fight against corruption in the province.
"It reflects badly on the ANC that he is re-elected despite his poor governance record and all the fishy tenders awarded to his network of friends in the so-called 'Alex Mafia'," DA spokesperson Jack Bloom said in a statement.
"I expect that there will be some reshuffles in the executive council as Mashatile extends his power," he said.
"Health and Social Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu will probably be booted out as her brave steps to root out corrupt activities have made her many enemies in the ANC."
Bloom went on to say that Mashatile's re-election has a negative impact on Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane's anti-corruption campaign.
Gravy train
"Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane's campaign against corruption was already losing steam.
"Her ability to act against allies of Mashatile who are implicated in corruption will now be curbed further," Bloom said.
He said internal fighting within the provincial government will lead to continued poor service delivery and corruption in tender processes.
"The public suffers as the gravy train rolls on for Gauteng ANC politicians and their friends."
Meanwhile, the Young Communist League (YCL) congratulated Mashatile on his re-appointment, saying that they would continue to work together with all members of the provincial government.
"We will as part of the SA Communist Party, continue to work together in the revolutionary alliance with the ANC and look forward to programmatic working relations with the newly elected leadership," the league said in a statement.
"We will equally continue to work together with the Gauteng provincial government as led by comrade Nomvula Mokonyane as the premier, to do more in line with the Alliance 2009 elections manifesto, the conference mandate and the alliance summits declarations."
- SAPA
