*Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) Gauteng Province condemns misinformation about Cabinet’s decision on Gauteng health and social development department*
** *Thursday, 15 December 2011, Johannesburg * ** The Young Communist League of South Africa [uFasimba] in the province of Gauteng notes with deep concern the continued misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the decision by special Cabinet meeting held 5 December 2011 concerning the Gauteng health and social development department. The media, in particular the press, and unfortunately even the “public broadcaster” SABC as evidenced latest in this morning’s 6:00 SABC 2 news, are spreading misinformation that the Gauteng department of health and social development has been placed under administration. We find this to be highly disturbing even after the Premier and MEC for health and social development have given categorical clarity in addition to the Cabinet statement which is in no uncertain terms. The Cabinet in its statement (5 Dec 2011) states clearly that “*Gauteng requested assistance to address the challenges in the Health Department*”. In response to this request, the Cabinet decision is clear about the intervention as thus: “*Gauteng Premier signs an agreement with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Finance to address financial management challenges in the Department of Health in Gauteng Province and other matters*”. Because of the problems the Gauteng health department has been facing, i.e. “*large accruals and other financial issues*”, “*The Ministers of Health and Finance will assist the Premier and MEC with: a) Financial management issues; and b) Supply chain management issues*”. “*In addition*”, the Cabinet decided, “ *urgent action will be taken in respect of the Gauteng Shared Services Centre (GSSC)*”. There is absolutely nothing in the Cabinet’s decision for the press and SABC to carry on with the misinformation campaign that they have embarked upon which in our view constitutes the violation of truthful, fair and balanced, let alone objective, reporting. The truth is: the Gauteng health and social development department has not been placed under administration in terms of Section 100 of the Republic’s constitution. We condemn the misinformation campaign altogether with its manufacture of negative perception about our ANC-led government in the province. We reiterate our support as the YCLSA for the Cabinet’s decision in providing the assistance that our provincial government has asked for. We would in particular like to place emphasis on our position that sorting out the challenges faced by the Gauteng department of health and social department would require a detailed historical review to the origins and development of the problem. *For further information contact:* *Matankana Mothapo – YCLSA Gauteng Spokesperson* *082 759 0900* *[email protected]* -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
