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CAPE TOWN — President Jacob Zuma yesterday put better service delivery alongside economic growth as a key priority for the state over the next five years.
Responding to the debate in parliament on his state-of-the-nation address, President Zuma said officials would pay unannounced visits to home affairs offices, police stations and hospitals to ensure the public received “a new culture of accountability and seeking to do better (which) is coming into being”.
Zuma said accountability would extend to improving financial management of departments, adding that shortcomings were “glaring” every time the auditor general released his annual report.
He reiterated that economic transformation remained the main focus of his second term, with the aim of engendering job-creating growth.
“We need to change the structure of the economy (for) employment creating growth and we can achieve all these goals with focus and determination,” he said.
The sectors in which government would strive to boost employment included energy, infrastructure and mining, he said.
The president also mentioned the mining sector as one of those where the state would actively seek to uplift distressed communities.
“The programme will also improve the delivery of services by government, and in particular revitalise stressed areas such as mining towns and local service delivery hotspots.”
He was speaking after two days of sometimes raucous debate on his address, which saw Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema ordered to leave the chamber for accusing the governing African National Congress of killing striking miners in the 2012 Marikana shooting.
Meanwhile, the EFF risked parliamentary sanction after the unruly walkout from a joint sitting of the legislature, National Council of Provinces chairperson Thandi Modise warned yesterday.
Without mentioning names, Modise said one of the militant party’s MPs behaved improperly on Thursday night when they left the National Assembly chamber in solidarity with EFF leader Julius Malema, who was ordered out for refusing to withdraw a statement.
“While leaving, disruptive and unacceptable behaviour was demonstrated by a member of those honourable members,” Modise said after President Jacob Zuma had responded to the debate on his state-of-the-nation address. She added:
“I will not go into details except to indicate that I have asked for the Hansard and audiovisual recordings of the incident.”
Modise said she would consult with Speaker Baleka Mbete but believed the matter could be referred to the parliamentary committee that dealt with members’ privileges.
“This could very well be a matter that could reside under the mandate of the powers and privileges committee.” — Sapa.
Online Reporter