IFP APPALLED BY ANC'S PROPOSAL TO INCREASE LEGISLATURE STAFF BY 33%

THE Inkatha Freedom Party in Kwa-Zulu Natal is shocked and appalled by the African National Congress' proposal to increase KZN Legislature staff by more than 33%.

"This is just one of the many ways to create jobs for pals and exercise Cadre deployment for the ANC as there is absolutely no need for additional staff in the Legislature," said Honourable Mntomuhle Khawula, IFP Whip in the KZN Legislature.

According to the report, the KZN Legislature staff compliment is 249 personnel. The new proposal by "Manto Management" Consultants, hired by the KZN Speaker, staff will increase by 101 personnel leading to a total of 350. The Legislature staff budget is currently at R165 million per annum. This proposed increase will add another R35.5million per annum, excluding establishment costs like office space, furniture, ICT, tools of trade and other costs.

The IFP totally rejects this absurd waste of resources. Instead of government scaling down on personell costs like its happening elsewhere in the world because of economic pressures, KwaZulu Natal is proposing to do the direct opposite.

"The buzzword from National Treasury all these years has been doing more with less. Where has that gone to?" asked Honourable Khawula.

The IFP notes that most of the proposed positions are aimed at creating comfort zones for people in positions. The IFP also wants the Speaker to be ordered properly in that she cannot equate her position to government ministries.

"What the ANC is failing to take into consideration is that creation of these positions will lead to service delivery being compromised and exhaust funds that are to be used for proper service delivery. This competition for Empire creations in the ruling party must come to an end," said Khawula.

Statement issued by Mntomuhle Khawula, IFP KZN Caucus Whip, October 14 2012

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