Friday, August 14, 2009

You will see heads rolling, says Zuma

President Jacob Zuma says his government means business when it comes to combating corruption and that it's only a matter of time before heads roll. Zuma said he wanted to "change the manner and tempo" of how the government operated. A detailed and "self-critical" review of the government had examined successes and weaknesses, and had identified changes that needed to be made and priorities that were "critical and that will make an impact on the lives of the people", he said.

Zuma said he wanted people to report corruption by using his presidential hotline, to be launched on September 1 at a cost of R4-million. It will have a full complement of staff to field and process calls, while action on queries would be followed up. "We are strengthening the police so they can investigate cases very well," Zuma said.

Zuma said that since taking office, a clear message had been sent that there was a need to make government "more accessible, responsive and accountable". "The urgent need for a change in approach - has been highlighted by recent local protests. While the reasons for the protests differ from place to place, they all point to shortcomings in the way that the government relates to the people, whether at local, provincial or national level."

For this reason the composition of the President's Co-ordinating Council, which has traditionally included only premiers, would be expanded to include metro mayors. Zuma said national planning, monitoring and evaluation needed co-operative governance.

Source: IoL

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