Zuma faces Parliament scrutiny

DA Parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko says South Africa will not be safe until crime is addressed at the highest level of government. She was speaking in the National Assembly debate on last week’s State of the Nation Address.

Mazibuko said crime is keeping South Africans hostage to fear. She also blames weaknesses in the police system and corruption.

Mazibuko added: “We cannot hope to keep our streets safe when the shadow of corruption stalks the highest levels of our police service. We cannot take the fight to the criminals that plague us when we lack experienced management at all levels of our police service. And we cannot hope to have an effective service that complements an open and free democracy when our police are militarized, in name and in their actions. South Africans will not feel safe until they hear an honest discussion about crime at the highest levels of government.”

Lekota blamed organised labour’s resistance of denying the youth from benefiting from this subsidy

The Congress of the People (COPE) has challenged President Jacob Zuma to tell the nation what government’s stance is with regards to the youth wage subsidy which has not yet been implemented. Party leader Mosioua Lekota blamed organised labour’s resistance of denying the youth from benefiting from the subsidy.

He said: “The issue that has raised objection that this scheme should not be implemented, I thought that you would be able to say something about it. Mr President, on this issue will we see the expenditure of this R5 billion in a manner in which it will answer to the problems and ensure that we are able to benefit from this R5 billion.”

ANC Chief Whip Mathole Motshega said his party supported the President’s call for the mainstreaming of job creation. He’s also welcomed Zuma’s announcement of a massive infrastructure plan.

Motshega added: “The ANC fully agrees with you that by mainstreaming job creation and strengthening social dialogue and cooperation between government, business, labour and the community sector, you laid a sound basis for Nation building and social cohesion. The announcement of a massive infrastructure development plan and the invitation of the nation to partner government in this drive will effectively address the triple challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment. The drive to develop a knowledge economy will enhance the efficiency of your infrastructure development plan by producing the skills necessary for government to work harder, faster and smarter.”

The National Assembly this afternoon started a two-day debate on President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation address. This has given political parties an opportunity to respond to last Thursday’s presidential address.

Zuma is expected to respond on Thursday.

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