With the election looming in 2009 it is becoming increasingly clear that accusations of racism and one-sided excessive responses to it are being politically highlighted to overshadow criticism from within the ANC voter base against the lack of delivery by government bodies at local, provincial and national levels.
With the election looming in 2009 it is becoming increasingly clear that accusations of racism and one-sided excessive responses to it are being politically highlighted to overshadow criticism from within the ANC voter base against the lack of delivery by government bodies at local, provincial and national levels.
The tactics are getting perilously close to those President Robert Mugabe resorted to when his lack of delivery and failed politics started irking his voter base.
The reality is that too many state services are collapsing, not because political supporters are being given, but because appointments are made with little concern for ability and commitment to serving the broad public.
The corruption at all conceivable levels - and I am not excluding the private sector - shows that self-enrichment enjoys far greater priority than fair and efficient service to the public.
In some departments there is evidence of downright callousness towards poor and needy "customers".
Note the long queues at Home Affairs, at pension application and paypoints and at public hospitals.
The lack of professionalism at many police stations seems to have been replaced by increased police brutality.
This is indicative of the unchecked misuse of power because of the apparent unconcern of those in high places.
Valentin Volker
Pietermaritzburg
Self-enrichment takes preference over delivery
With the election looming in 2009 it is becoming increasingly clear that accusations of racism and one-sided excessive responses to it are being politically highlighted to overshadow criticism from within the ANC voter base against the lack of delivery by government bodies at local, provincial and national levels.
With the election looming in 2009 it is becoming increasingly clear that accusations of racism and one-sided excessive responses to it are being politically highlighted to overshadow criticism from within the ANC voter base against the lack of delivery by government bodies at local, provincial and national levels.
The tactics are getting perilously close to those President Robert Mugabe resorted to when his lack of delivery and failed politics started irking his voter base.
The reality is that too many state services are collapsing, not because political supporters are being given, but because appointments are made with little concern for ability and commitment to serving the broad public.
The corruption at all conceivable levels - and I am not excluding the private sector - shows that self-enrichment enjoys far greater priority than fair and efficient service to the public.
In some departments there is evidence of downright callousness towards poor and needy "customers".
Note the long queues at Home Affairs, at pension application and paypoints and at public hospitals.
The lack of professionalism at many police stations seems to have been replaced by increased police brutality.
This is indicative of the unchecked misuse of power because of the apparent unconcern of those in high places.
Valentin Volker
Pietermaritzburg