On the back of the Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure Dean Macpherson’s nationwide Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Listening Tour, which has uncovered widespread allegations of corruption and abuse, the Democratic Alliance will be launching a crucial oversight in the EPWP and Community Work Programme (CWP) to champion their cause.
This also follows growing media reports of the ANC making use of the programme for its personal gain, including, most recently, the MMC for Treasury in the Bojanala District Municipality, who allegedly used EPWP workers to clean and maintain her private home in Lebotlwane, while coercing the workers to pay for ANC membership cards and fuel contributions.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure also recently confirmed that R13.8 million was lost to corruption across the EPWP.
The Independent Development Trust (IDT) received R4.65 billion as an implementing partner, but serious irregularities have been exposed. Meanwhile, over 200 EPWP workers went unpaid for five months and were collectively owed R1.7 million.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) won’t tolerate a growing trend of political corruption in the work opportunity programmes of government, because this corruption is stealing jobs from people who need to put food on the table for their families. The DA cannot accept this, and we are taking up a fight against political corruption by launching a national probe.
We are furthermore reinforcing our support for the reform efforts underway by Minister Macpherson, which will see new levels of transparency and accountability being introduced in the EPWP programme to remove opportunities for abuse and provide new pathways towards permanent employment. This is because, as the Democratic Alliance, we want to see a system that works for all.
The crucial oversight initiative we are launching in the EPWP and CWP to help champion their cause.
This national initiative will help identify corruption, mismanagement, and political interference affecting these vital poverty-alleviation programmes.
All provincial structures of the DA are tasked with documenting issues with these programmes in their areas, as corruption is robbing the most vulnerable people of a work opportunity to put food on the table.
The findings we obtain will be compiled and delivered to the relevant committees to hold entities and individuals accountable. More information will be shared as respondents provide information.
Communities here have repeatedly raised concerns about political interference, delayed payments, and unfair recruitment. We will engage with affected participants will provide us with valuable information about the scale of abuse and help guide meaningful reforms.
The DA will support efforts to provide dignified work opportunities and ensure that all officials and politicians implicated face accountability.
English soundbite by Edwin Macrae Bath MP.
Afrikaans soundbite by Dr Igor Scheurkogel MP.