Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza has promised to build houses for chiefs and the province's two kings and a share of R2-billion to drill 582 boreholes to deal with water shortages.
But the DA in Mpumalanga accused the chairman of the province's house of traditional leaders, Chief Mathupa Mokoena, of using traditional leaders to lure people to campaign for the ANC.
At the opening of the Mpumalanga house of traditional leaders yesterday, Mokoena, who chaired the ceremony, praised Mabuza, saying he was "wonderful and marvellous".
He said R2-billion would be invested in 2016/2017 in an attempt to make the provincial government's commitment to deliver water and sanitation to all a reality.
"We will continue with all forms of interventions, whether short- or long-term. Part of the R2-billion earmarked for water projects will be utilised to drill 582 boreholes in the new financial year as disaster relief in highly distressed areas."
The identified areas include Gomora, Dludluma, Langeloop in Nkomazi local municipality; Leroro, Matibidi, Shaga in Thaba Chweu; KaMadubula, Zimbabwe, Zoeknog A and B, Mphenyatsatsi in Bushbuckridge; and Klipfontein, Mandela, Msholozi and Vreisgewaght in KwaMhlnga-based Thembisile Hani.
DA Mpumalanga leader James Masango said they were worried about the timing of the promises and also concerned that Mokoena, a former ANC MP, was using his position to campaign for the ruling party.
"I'm concerned about the timing of the promises. We need people to have water but the ANC has been leading for the past 22 years and failed to provide water. Now they're just going to lie and use that to campaign for the local government elections.
"Traditional leaders in Mpumalanga must be careful because the chairman [Mokoena] is working to make sure that he uses them to campaign for the ANC."
Masango said Mokoena was someone who spoke about his support for the party publicly.
"He is just pushing traditional leaders to vote for the ANC that has been lying to them for the past 22 years."
Last year, Mabuza promised to deliver a fleet of cars to traditional leaders. While he was sick in November, then acting premier Vusi Shongwe handed over 58 cars to chiefs and kings as well as eight cows for each traditional house.
Yesterday, Mabuza said his administration had set aside R2-billion for water.
Premier David Mabuza promises chiefs houses, water
Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza has promised to build houses for chiefs and the province's two kings and a share of R2-billion to drill 582 boreholes to deal with water shortages.
But the DA in Mpumalanga accused the chairman of the province's house of traditional leaders, Chief Mathupa Mokoena, of using traditional leaders to lure people to campaign for the ANC.
At the opening of the Mpumalanga house of traditional leaders yesterday, Mokoena, who chaired the ceremony, praised Mabuza, saying he was "wonderful and marvellous".
He said R2-billion would be invested in 2016/2017 in an attempt to make the provincial government's commitment to deliver water and sanitation to all a reality.
"We will continue with all forms of interventions, whether short- or long-term. Part of the R2-billion earmarked for water projects will be utilised to drill 582 boreholes in the new financial year as disaster relief in highly distressed areas."
The identified areas include Gomora, Dludluma, Langeloop in Nkomazi local municipality; Leroro, Matibidi, Shaga in Thaba Chweu; KaMadubula, Zimbabwe, Zoeknog A and B, Mphenyatsatsi in Bushbuckridge; and Klipfontein, Mandela, Msholozi and Vreisgewaght in KwaMhlnga-based Thembisile Hani.
DA Mpumalanga leader James Masango said they were worried about the timing of the promises and also concerned that Mokoena, a former ANC MP, was using his position to campaign for the ruling party.
"I'm concerned about the timing of the promises. We need people to have water but the ANC has been leading for the past 22 years and failed to provide water. Now they're just going to lie and use that to campaign for the local government elections.
"Traditional leaders in Mpumalanga must be careful because the chairman [Mokoena] is working to make sure that he uses them to campaign for the ANC."
Masango said Mokoena was someone who spoke about his support for the party publicly.
"He is just pushing traditional leaders to vote for the ANC that has been lying to them for the past 22 years."
Last year, Mabuza promised to deliver a fleet of cars to traditional leaders. While he was sick in November, then acting premier Vusi Shongwe handed over 58 cars to chiefs and kings as well as eight cows for each traditional house.
Yesterday, Mabuza said his administration had set aside R2-billion for water.
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