Politicians against fewer provinces

A reduction in the number of provinces would lead to even worse service delivery, said Freedom Front Plus national chairperson Abrie Oosthuizen in reaction to the suggestion by finance minister Trevor Manuel that the nine provinces be reduced to four in an effort to improve service delivery at local government level. “A better solution would be to focus on the struggling provinces and local governments,” he said. Willem Doman, Democratic Alliance spokesperson for provincial and local government, said the nine-province dispensation is a constitutional agreement and that everyone should adhere to the letter and spirit in which it was written. “It seems the political goal is to ensure ANC majority rule over the Western Cape. The incorporation of provinces will lead a favourable power base for the ANC but by making such a suggestion the ANC is admitting poor administration in some provinces, and reducing them won’t solve the problem,” said Doman. Executive director of the National African Farmers’ Union Motsepe ­Matlala also said local authorities should rather be capacitated. – Cornelia du Plooy