Lesufi SOPA full of ‘empty promises’- ActionSA, DA

"Once again, the Premier has given us pipe dreams instead of proper solutions to the constant service delivery issues faced by residents on a daily basis," said DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga.

"As expected, the economic corridors were at the top of the premier’s list. According to the premier, each of the corridors has attracted investors and created jobs. However, the reality on the ground is that many of the Special Economic Zones are not operating properly.

"Furthermore, he promised that small businesses would not struggle to access the internet; however, we tend to question this as the Gauteng Broadband Network (GBN) has not yet been fully rolled out across the province. Many residents still struggle to access the internet."

The parties were reacting to Lesfi's State of the Province Address, in which a new date for the scrapping of the unpopular e-toll system was also announced.

Speaking during his State of the Province Address in Johannesburg on Monday, Lesufi said the system would be scrapped in March.

Last year, during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said the national government would scrap e-tolls and absorb the e-tolls debt by paying 70% and the Gauteng government would pay 30% of the debts.

He also said the provincial government had proposed a financing model for the e-tolls project, also known as the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.

"Last year, we assured the people of Gauteng that e-tolls would be a thing of the past. I am happy to report that on the 26th of January 2024, a final meeting was held between the Gauteng provincial government and the ministers of finance and transport, respectively,” Lesufi said.

"We have been able to find common ground on issues related to the user-pay principle quantum of GFIP debt, the quantum of sunken CAPEX costs, CAPEX obligation of the province, yearly maintenance costs of GFIP 1, repurposing of gantries, repayment of SANRAL GFIP 1 debt and the future funding of GFIP 2 and 3.

"From where we sit as the province, we remain confident that we should be able end e-toll by March 2024."

Msimanga said no solution had been found for load shedding, proper housing infrastructure, reliable supply of water and electricity.

"There is no solution to the ongoing load-shedding; instead, finding a solution has been kicked back to the municipalities, who are already unable to provide basic services such as refuse removal and a reliable supply of water and electricity. We are once again told us about solar farms.

"Instead of ensuring that all our residents are given dignified housing, emphasis is instead placed on the upgrading of Townships, Informal Settlements, and Hostels (TISH). The Premier has also failed to name which hostels have been upgraded.

"There are over 2.5 million unemployed people in the province, and the training of 40 000 unemployed youth from the township as artisans is a step in the right direction. However, the jobs that they will be given are not sustainable jobs and wouldn't solve the bigger problem of unemployment in the province. The Nasi Ispani programme is not a solution to creating sustainable jobs.

"Inspiring investor confidence is key to creating more job opportunities in this province. In order for this to happen, corruption must be clamped down on, and the lifestyle audits that have been conducted on all the MECs and high-ranking government officials must be made public."

Meanwhile, ActionSA leader Funzi Ngobeni said millions have been wasted as the Crime Prevention Wardens,  commonly known as AmaPanyaza, are being paid to listen to a speech rather than fighting crime.

"The premier is misguided if he believes that ActionSA is against the government’s creation of jobs for the youth. We, however, maintain that any efforts to fight crime and create employment should be done within the confines of the law.

"We further demand that the wardens be pulled from the streets to receive adequate training from accredited institutions while drawing from the thousands of skilled SAPS reservists with years of experience.

"These upcoming elections offer us a real chance of unseating the uncaring current government and charting a new path of prosperity for our great province."

He added that South Africans were fed up with empty promises.

"The economy is stagnant, criminals are having a field day, and our economic infrastructure, such as railway lines, has been destroyed and continues to be stolen. Our healthcare facilities are unsafe for both healthcare professionals and patients, and our roads are derelict, with many of our traffic lights either destroyed or vandalised.

"Additionally, thousands of people who were promised quality homes through the construction of housing megaprojects have been completely abandoned and left incomplete by incompetent,  self-serving contractors who were appointed by the provincial government."

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