EASTERN Cape health MEC Sicelo Gqobana warned politicians not to expose themselves as liars who played with people’s expectations by making empty promises.
He said such behaviour was detrimental not only to the government but also to the ANC.
Speaking at a National Healthcare Insurance event at Mandela Park in Mthatha on Saturday, the MEC said politicians should not get excited when they see an audience and make comments they could not put into action.
“As government representatives, let us refrain from making empty promises. Let us commit ourselves to the real deal and not lip-service. Let us avoid letting people down unnecessarily. People want delivery or action,” he said.
He pulled no punches criticising politicians who promised to develop communities but failed to honour their commitments.
“We politicians must not lie to our people,” said Gqobana.
The MEC’s comments came after his predecessors had promised to build a number of clinics for Mqanduli communities but nothing had materialised.
“ My predecessors, one after another, had promised the people of Mqanduli to build them clinics.
“Disappointingly, they abandoned the promises and never came back to say they were only joking. It is wrong,” said Gqobana.
He said there had been celebrations when these promises were made but all that was left now was gloom and disappointment.
“My predecessors had even turned the sod for the building of clinics in Mqanduli; others travelled in choppers to see identified pieces of land for the construction of clinics.
“Cows were slaughtered and nice food was eaten to celebrate. But those were just lip-service and the communities are still waiting anxiously for the clinics.
“There is not one brick that has been laid and now I am expected to take responsibility. Let us (politicians) not talk and promise people the world before we double- check if we can really deliver.”
He said he was even shy to meet with Mqanduli residents like Contralesa president Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa who he said spoke forthrightly on the disappointment caused by the health department.
“ Let us avoid being perceived as nothing but a bunch of liars. The people of Mqanduli still want their clinics,” said Gqobana.
He said he had approached the national government to intervene to restore the confidence of the people.
“I have spoken to Dr Aaron Motsoaledi that two of the five clinics they are to build in the OR Tambo district, be built in the Mqanduli,” said Gqobana. —
We mustn’t be seen as liars – MEC
He said such behaviour was detrimental not only to the government but also to the ANC.
Speaking at a National Healthcare Insurance event at Mandela Park in Mthatha on Saturday, the MEC said politicians should not get excited when they see an audience and make comments they could not put into action.
“As government representatives, let us refrain from making empty promises. Let us commit ourselves to the real deal and not lip-service. Let us avoid letting people down unnecessarily. People want delivery or action,” he said.
He pulled no punches criticising politicians who promised to develop communities but failed to honour their commitments.
“We politicians must not lie to our people,” said Gqobana.
The MEC’s comments came after his predecessors had promised to build a number of clinics for Mqanduli communities but nothing had materialised.
“ My predecessors, one after another, had promised the people of Mqanduli to build them clinics.
“Disappointingly, they abandoned the promises and never came back to say they were only joking. It is wrong,” said Gqobana.
He said there had been celebrations when these promises were made but all that was left now was gloom and disappointment.
“My predecessors had even turned the sod for the building of clinics in Mqanduli; others travelled in choppers to see identified pieces of land for the construction of clinics.
“Cows were slaughtered and nice food was eaten to celebrate. But those were just lip-service and the communities are still waiting anxiously for the clinics.
“There is not one brick that has been laid and now I am expected to take responsibility. Let us (politicians) not talk and promise people the world before we double- check if we can really deliver.”
He said he was even shy to meet with Mqanduli residents like Contralesa president Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa who he said spoke forthrightly on the disappointment caused by the health department.
“ Let us avoid being perceived as nothing but a bunch of liars. The people of Mqanduli still want their clinics,” said Gqobana.
He said he had approached the national government to intervene to restore the confidence of the people.
“I have spoken to Dr Aaron Motsoaledi that two of the five clinics they are to build in the OR Tambo district, be built in the Mqanduli,” said Gqobana. —
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