Premier addresses challenges facing KZN's government

CORRUPT officials, the upcoming local government elections, and the stubbornly high rate of unemployment are among the key challenges facing the KwaZulu-Natal Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).

- THAMI MAGUBANE

This was said by Premier Thami Ntuli as the coalition government marked its one-year anniversary this week. The GPU comprises of the IFP, ANC, DA, and NFP.

It was formed after the ANC suffered an electoral collapse at last year’s general election, and no party was able to secure enough votes to form a government on its own.

Opposition parties have rubbished the GPU’s time in office, pointing out that under the coalition government, schools and hospitals have been brought to the brink of dysfunctionality due to the non-payment of suppliers.

The provincial government was recently forced to step in and make a commitment to pay R900 million towards outstanding payments for norms and standards in schools. The money is necessary to run day-to-day school operational functions.