Hon Chairperson, the Western Cape province has considered the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill 2019, and while it is acknowledged that there is little scope for manoeuvre in this incredibly difficult financial time, we cannot forget that we got to this point as a result of years of ANC sponsored corruption, mismanagement and self-serving wastage.
The reality is that there are grave needs that should have been addressed by this budget, such as the appalling drought conditions experienced in the Western Cape, the Northern and Eastern Cape and other provinces. The absence of any assistance in this adjustment budget is sending the wrong message to struggling farmers in an already hostile environment.
The national government furthermore has an obligation to support safety and security programmes being driven in the provinces. Considering the President's commitment to fight the scourge of gender-based violence and the deployment of the SANDF to ganglands, it was expected that Premier Winde's recent launch of the provincial safety plan would have received some financial support. Nothing is forthcoming.
The provincial and local equitable shares are based on outdated information which does not reflect the massive in-migration and urbanisation, which is placing health and education services under increased pressure. It has been generally agreed since 2016 that equitable share needs to be reviewed. This must now be prioritised.
The lack of consequence management for financial irregularities, mismanagement and fiscal imprudence has become a point of consternation for many South Africans and yet, the ever growing Public Sector Wage Bill seems to reward individuals and departments for poor choices. Serious penalties are demanded together with a right sizing of the wage bill.
We do note the incredibly tough balancing act that must be achieved to ensure South Africa's financial viability. However, the continued
support of failing state-owned enterprises at the expense of life- changing services for real, average South Africans is unconscionable and as a result the Western Cape cannot in good conscience support this Bill. [Applause.]
Question put: That the Bill be agreed to.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and North West.
AGAINST: Western Cape.
Bill agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.