What Western Cape parties expect from Sopa

Opposition parties have expressed their expectations ahead of the State of the Province Address (Sopa) expected to be delivered by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde in Paarl on Monday. 

Winde will report back on the progress the Western Cape Government (WCG) has made in delivering on its priorities of reducing load shedding, creating jobs, safety, dignity and wellbeing for the people of the province.

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SOPA: PREMIER CALLED TO ACCOUNT FOR PAST PROMISES

“In 2019 the Premier also announced what he called the ‘biggest safety plan’ in the country ever. He took nearly R2 billion that should’ve been invested in infrastructure and services to address the root causes of crime.

His pledge was to halve the murder rate in the ten most dangerous police precincts in the province. However, in the end, he funded undertrained EPWP learner law enforcement officers who are acting unlawfully and the crime rate has worsened,” he said. 

Herron also said under Winde’s government, education outcomes were declining. 

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“Once the top performing province for matric results the Premier has deprioritised education – a core provincial mandate and allowed the province to massively under perform,” he said. 

WHAT ARE THE STEPS TAKEN TO ADDRESS SERVICE DELIVERY ISSUES?

ANC provincial secretary Neville Delport said the premier should address steps taken to provide services to the most vulnerable. 

“We anticipate that the Premier will attempt to echo the policy objectives outlined in this year’s Sona. However, given the DA-led government’s track record of neglect and disregard for the majority of the province’s population, such promises ring hollow.

The Sopa presents a critical opportunity for this government to demonstrate genuine commitment to inclusive government and socio-economic transformation. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust vested in them by the people of the province,” he said.  

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DA Chief Whip Wendy Kaizer-Philander said Winde and his cabinet have made remarkable strides in creating a jobs-rich economy, safer communities and addressing the challenges of load shedding. 

“Despite the constraints caused by ANC policy incoherence and state collapse nationally, the DA-run Western Cape government has gone above its mandate to provide clean, accountable and efficient governance to the residents,” Philander said.