A political uproar has been caused by the DA’s Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill, which was formally introduced in the provincial legislature on Monday. The DA claims that its motivations for introducing the proposed legislation have been misunderstood.
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‘The Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill does not seek independence, nor does it make a case for secession,’ said DA MPL Christopher Fry, at a press briefing.
‘Our commitment remains with fighting for the interests of all South Africans and working towards greater devolution in accordance with the South African Constitution.’
According to Fry, he introduced the bill as part of his party’s commitment to give capable provincial and local governments more federal autonomy and give them the authority to manage duties that have been devolved from the federal government.
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‘We are of the view that in order to stem the tide against state failure in South Africa it has become critical that greater powers are devolved to capable provincial and local governments such as the Western Cape.’
IOL reported that the bills are fundamentally different, according to DA deputy provincial leader JP Smith, who said the FF Plus bill was about self-determination and an ‘updated version of the Volkstaat in its racial nationalist view of self-determination.’
The DA is now pushing for power sharing through a federal system and constitution, according to the leader of the provincial opposition, Cameron Dugmore (ANC), who claimed the party had realised it would never rule at the federal level.
‘They are clearly trying to usurp the powers and functions of the national government via the back door.’
He claimed that by demanding complete control of national competencies in policing, public transportation and rail, energy, trade, and harbours, the DA was taking on more than it could handle.
‘They have proven that they can’t even cope with municipal and provincial competencies yet they want more,’ Dugmore said.
‘Klipfontein Hospital still has not replaced GF Jooste almost 10 years later.’
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Also read:
Western Cape Government calls for control of SAPS in the province
Picture: JP Smith / Facebook
