Outcomes of Western Cape Government Cabinet meeting

On Wednesday, 18 September 2024, Premier Alan Winde chaired a regular Western Cape Government (WCG) Cabinet meeting.

In opening the meeting, Premier Winde reflected on recent unannounced visits he conducted at a hospital in Bredasdorp; and a Home Affairs office and South African Police Service (SAPS) Station in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town.

“I must see for myself how frontline services for our residents are being delivered. This is especially critical with devastating cuts to budgets in education, healthcare, and social development with which we have been saddled. Despite these reductions, I was delighted to see how well-managed the Otto Du Plessis Hospital in Bredadsdorp is. By implementing innovative measures to avoid long waiting times, this facility’s leadership team is helping to take some of the strain off healthcare officials across the area,” said Premier Winde.

In an unannounced visit to the Mitchells Plain SAPS station, the Premier met with the new Station Commander and Cape Town District Commissioner Major General Beaton to discuss challenges around crime and policing. Policing is a national government mandate, but because crime has such a devastating impact on our residents on a daily basis the provincial government is stepping in to support SAPS where it can, within its limited mandate. The Premier discussed  the doubling up in the redeployment of Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) members to six areas in Cape Town, among them Mitchells Plain, with the Station Commander.

“We must constantly adapt our crime prevention strategies, in keeping with our evidence-based and data-led approach, to the evolving trends in crime. This is the essence of the Western Cape Safety Plan – the acknowledgment that new models and approaches must be explored to see which intervention has the biggest positive impact in our drive to build safer communities. By doubling up the deployment of LEAP officials to areas hardest hit by crime we hope to see a meaningful reduction in violent crime,” said Premier Winde.

Fiscal emergency

Cabinet discussed the national fiscal emergency facing critical provincial service delivery areas caused by national government’s decision to not fully fund the 2023 multi-year public sector pay increase agreement.

Cabinet noted that any key decisions in the public sector wage negotiations for the 2025/26 Medium-Term Economic Framework (MTEF) would need to be submitted for approval to Cabinet to ensure compliance with all the relevant legislative regulations.

Premier Winde stressed, “our government and residents are under extraordinary pressure due to the in-year budget cuts forced upon us. We have to make incredibly tough decisions, which we are doing with the needs of our residents top-of-mind. We are committed to dealing with this issue with urgency and purpose. We are looking at all our options to ensure frontline services are protected as far as possible.”

On the current round of public service wage negotiations, he remarked, “I implore organised labour to put forward realistic demands that consider the deeply constrained fiscal environment. A 12% salary increase  is wholly unaffordable, and we cannot support this proposal.”

Poor Growth Domestic Product (GDP) growth

Cabinet noted and lamented the reported GDP growth of 0.4% in the second quarter of 2024.

Premier Winde said that while the latest GDP data reflects muted growth, this is far below the desperately needed growth to help the economy recover from the lingering impact of the energy crisis and the near collapse of South Africa’s logistics sector.

Cabinet called for urgent steps to rejuvenate economic growth nationally, particularly through implementing vital structural reforms which must  be driven by Operation Vulindlela to enable more jobs for our residents.

Status of municipalities

Cabinet again raised serious concerns over the status of some Western Cape municipalities.

It was emphasised that dysfunctional local governments must take the necessary steps to urgently rehabilitate themselves with the support and oversight of the Western Cape Government. Cabinet stated that all mayors and municipal managers must step up and demonstrate a genuine willingness to serve their residents.

Cabinet welcomed positive developments in implementing renewable energy solutions in for example the Hessequa and Prince Albert municipalities.

Basic Educational Laws Amendment Bill

Cabinet noted the signing into law of some sections of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill by the President.

While Cabinet noted the pause on implementing clauses 4 and 5 of the bill – dealing with admission and language policies – for further consultation, it remains concerned about a number of aspects of the BELA and has repeatedly expressed this to the President.

The Western Cape Government is of the view that the legislation is flawed, highly controversial, and not constitutionally sound, and the bill should have been referred back to the National Assembly.

The WCG is taking legal advice to prevent the negative impact the bill will have on learners in the Western Cape.

World Bank report Education Sector Analysis report

Cabinet noted and welcomed the handover of the World Bank’s Education Sector Analysis (ESA) undertaken at the request of the Western Cape Government. The ESA is aimed at enhancing education outcomes for learners in the province.

It acknowledges that while the Western Cape has higher learning levels than other provinces, there is much work to be done.

The Western Cape Education department will now analyse the findings and recommendations of the report.