ANC member voices concerns over DA’s powers bill in Western Cape

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A Member of the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) Thembi Nkadimeng has voiced concerns over the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) initiative to introduce a provincial powers bill in the Western Cape.

Nkadimeng asserts that the national government should regulate provincial powers, responding to the DA’s bid to grant more authority to capable provincial and local governments.

The proposed bill aims to empower provinces and local governments to address service delivery issues when the national government falls short.

Speaking at a media briefing during the ANC NEC meeting in Boksburg, Nkadimeng urges Western Cape residents to reject the bill, arguing that the Constitution does not support federalism.

She emphasises that all provincial powers are delegated from the national government and accused the DA’s move of being unconstitutional.

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In response to this, the Revolutionary Alliance, consisting of the ANC, South African Communist Party (SACP), Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), and the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), condemned the DA’s bill.

They accused the DA of attempting to preserve apartheid-era white privilege and undermining constitutional principles.

The DA, however, contends that the bill aims to maximise provincial powers and address service delivery challenges in areas of overlap with national functions. It highlights the successes of initiatives like the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP), which contributed to a 14% decrease in the year-on-year murder rate in the Western Cape.

As the debate continues, the ANC alliance plans to deploy its members to public hearings on the bill in the province.

DA calls for devolution of powers from national government

#ANC Thembi Nkadimeng:We call on the people of the WC to reject the provisional powers bill. South Africa belongs to all who live in it. #sabcnews

— #LordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) January 28, 2024

#ANC Nkadimeng:The DA is a party of Swart gevaar, they are resisting transformation. We will defeat this bill and we will fight racism wherever it raises its ugly head. #sabcnews

— #LordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) January 28, 2024

#ANC Nkadimeng: The DA today represents the past which was segregation and today the DA wants to further divide our country on the Aparthied Western Cape. Steenhuisen promised a referendum on the independence of the WC. #sabcnews

— #LordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) January 28, 2024

#ANC Nkadimeng:The DA has failed to build a hospital in the Cape flats, they are worse again showing that they are against the National Health Insurance. They are in bed with Doctor Death. #sabcnews

— #LordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) January 28, 2024

#ANC Nkadimeng:Less than 3% of the land in Western Cape is owned by the black majority, worse than any other province. African children are still kept out of the former model C Schools. Black people are neglected, WC is now fifth in Matric results. #sabcnews

— #LordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) January 28, 2024

Additional Reporting: Bongisipho Magcaba