Parliament, Wednesday, 19 September 2018 – The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Delegation in West Rand District Municipality in Gauteng is optimistic that the impact of migration that put a strain on the delivery of services to the people in the area can be done away if all stakeholders can work together in the Province. During a site visit to the Leratong Hospital the Delegation find out that the impact of immigration is so severe to an extent that 6 115 of foreign nationals gave birth during 2017/2018 financial year. Most of the women are from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Pakistan and Ethiopia
The NCOP Delegation, led by the NCOP Programming Whip, Mr Phel Parkies, throughout this week gathered information from schools, hospitals, hostels, correctional and repatriation centres on impact of migration on service delivery to the community in West Rand under the theme: “Impact of Migration – Deepening Cooperative Governance for Accelerated Service Delivery and Development”.The West Rand District consists of three local municipalities: Mogale City, Rand West City and Merafong City.
During an oversight visit at Toekomsrus Secondary school the Delegation was shocked to notice that the school is built with predominantly of material that contains asbestos and most of the classes are in a dilapidated state although the Department of Education has adopted School Infrastructure Norms and Standard regulations in 2013 to replace and rebuild schools built with asbestos. The Delegation recommended that the Department must prioritise replacing the asbestos structure at the school as it pose a danger to pupils and staff.
The Delegation noted progress made at Lindela Repatriation Centre, with a population of 1 235 deportees, they offered the South African Human Right Commission an office so they can do independent monitoring of the deportees and all processes. The Delegation was delighted by their relationship with their sponsor, Bosasa and International Committee of the Red Cross, that offers a free telephonic service for identified countries on each visit, as well as monitoring of health services.
Tomorrow’s programme in West Rand concludes with site visits at Bonang Masikhulu Shoe Manufacturing Factory and concludes at Busmark Randfontein business hub. The programme tomorrow will culminate in a public meeting at Westonoria Banqueting Hall at 16h:00 where members of the public will raise matters affecting them, particularly on migration. Members of the media are invited to the public meeting.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Leader of the NCOP Delegation in West Rand, Mr Phel Parkies, please contact Mlindi Mpindi (Mr), Mobile: 081 716 7329, E-mail: mmpindi@parliament.gov.za
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA ON BEHALF OF MR PHEL PARKIES, LEADER OF THE NCOP DELEGATION IN WEST RAND
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