President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for oral replies to questions by the permanent delegates to the House. Picture: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday for an oral reply to questions posed by the delegates of the house.
This was the President’s first session in the NCOP since the establishment of the seventh administration.
During the briefing, a number of issues were highlighted.
Ramaphosa was asked to address the concerns of stakeholders regarding the signing of the second Presidential Health Compact.
The Presidential Health Compact initiative was launched in 2019. It is a framework of cooperation between critical sectors in South Africa to improve health outcomes. Among the sectors involved in the Presidential Health Compact are the government, business, labour, civil society, academia, traditional health practitioners, allied health practitioners and patient user groups.
“In 2023, we convened the second Presidential Health Summit and produced a second Presidential Health Compact for 2024 to 2029.
“On August 22, Deputy President Paul Mashatile signed the compact on my behalf at a signing ceremony at the Union Buildings, together with signatories representing various sectors. The compact aims to ensure multisectoral involvement in health systems, strengthen the healthcare system and prepare it for the implementation of National Health Insurance. Some stakeholders – specifically from business – chose not to sign the second Presidential Health Compact. They cited their concerns with the National Health Insurance Act and references to NHI in the compact,” Ramaphosa said.
He said they believe there is a good reason for these stakeholders to be involved in the work needed to achieve the aims of the compact. Through the compact, they aim to invest in a capable, compassionate, fit-for-purpose workforce in the health sector.
“Importantly, the compact aims to ensure the NHI is implemented affordably, deriving value for money and eliminating corruption. These are objectives which all stakeholders can support and work towards. We therefore encourage all role players to be involved in pursuing these objectives even if they chose not to sign the compact. The implementation of the compact is overseen by a Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Steering Committee that brings together all the stakeholders. All those who attended the recent meeting of the committee agreed on its terms of reference, which includes strengthening the health system in preparation for NHI implementation,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa was asked whether the government was making progress in the fight against poverty and unemployment.
“Much higher levels of inclusive growth are needed to achieve sustainable employment. That is why this seventh administration made up of the Government of National Unity (GNU) has placed inclusive economic growth as its apex priority. However, it will take time for such growth to meet the scale needed. This is why a range of complementary measures are required to address poverty and enable economic participation.
“The Presidential Employment Stimulus enables support to public employment, livelihood support and enterprise development. The Presidential Employment Stimulus has contributed to over 2 million jobs and livelihood opportunities since its inception in 2020.
The Social Employment Fund, which is implemented by the Industrial Development Corporation under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, has created over 100,000 jobs,” he responded.
Ramaphosa was asked to outline the key constitutive ideas for the Government of National Unity (GNU).
“The key constitutive ideas of the Government of National Unity are set out in the Statement of Intent that was signed by all the constitutive parties. The 10 GNU parties agreed to certain basic principles, including a firm commitment to respect the Constitution and the rule of law.
“The principles included a commitment to promote accountability, transparency, integrity and good governance. The parties agreed on a Minimum Programme as the foundation of the work of the Government of National Unity. These were developed into priority actions that will form the basis for the Medium-Term Development Plan of government,” he responded.
As indicated in the Opening of Parliament Address, Ramaphosa said the GNU will dedicate the next five years to actions that advance three strategic priorities:
“Firstly, to drive inclusive growth and job creation. Secondly, to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living. Thirdly, to build a capable, ethical and developmental state. We will pursue growth that is inclusive and transformational. We have said that inclusive growth must support the empowerment of black South Africans and women.
“We will continue to pursue programmes that encourage broad-based black economic empowerment, employment equity and support to small- and medium-sized enterprises. We will continue to protect and uphold the hard-won rights of workers and continually strive to improve the conditions in which they work and live. In advancing our three strategic priorities, we will, among other things, massively increase the scale of investment in infrastructure,” he said.
Ramaphosa was asked whether the government has considered the negative impact of the growing trend of protection fee and business extortion to the economy and the delivery of services such as schools and state infrastructure projects that has left many communities at the mercy of ruthless and unscrupulous gangs and criminals
“The growth of criminal extortion in several parts of the country is contributing to a climate of lawlessness and fear. Extortion has a great economic cost, disrupting business activity, delaying or halting the construction of infrastructure, and generally raising the cost of doing business.The South African Police Service is directing its response to these crimes to areas where they are most prevalent,” Ramaphosa responded.
The SAPS has established the Eastern Cape Provincial Extortion Forum specifically to address extortion-related issues in the province.
An Organised Crime Task Team has also been established to investigate all extortion cases reported in the province. A multi-disciplinary approach has been adopted that includes Crime Intelligence and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks).
“A modus operandi and target analysis has been conducted. This has confirmed that the identified gangs are operating in syndicates to commit organised criminal activities. The cases are, therefore, being dealt with in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. This focuses on the identified gang leaders to neutralise the activities of the syndicates. The investigation is conducted in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and other relevant stakeholders,” Ramaphosa said.
An Extortion Hotline has been established in the Eastern Cape and this will soon be rolled out nationally.
“The hotline enables community members to report any form of crime or violence perpetrated by these criminal gangs to ensure a rapid and focused response. The Extortion Hotline has received approximately 1,300 calls. These calls have resulted in 36 cases and 11 enquiries being registered for investigation by the Organised Crime Task Team,” Ramaphosa said.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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