Increase in protests due to elections, not service delivery: Makhura
Gauteng Premier David Makhura said the increase in protests in the first quarter of this year has little to do with service delivery and more to do with the hotly contested elections.
"The war room has been engaging with protesters, and what has become clear is that the election atmosphere has a lot to do with the current protests. A lot of protests are being organised by people who have lost out at being candidates or those who are positioning themselves to be candidates," he said.
The premier said government couldn't address protests that had to do with party politics or individual ambitions, but they could deal with protests that had to do with service delivery. He also condemned the violence and destruction of property happening at public institutions.
Makhura tabled his 2016/17 budget (R449 million) in the provincial legislature and said progress has been made in implementing the government's 10 pillar programme.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve financial management and public accountability, an open tender system has been introduced. Since its launch in 2015, the open tender process amounts to R1.5billion.
This year government said it would ensure that 60% of new contracts were awarded through the open tender process.
Makhura also urged public servants to be ethical and practice sound financial management.
"We have established an integrity unit led by MEC Paul Mashatile, where decisive action against corrupt officials will be taken."
The payment of suppliers has also been improved.
In the 2015/16 financial year 10 out of 14 departments paid 90% of their invoices within 30 days.
Three departments have put measures in place to pay their suppliers within 14 days.