'Govt won't amend Constitution'
Matome Sebelebele
13 May 2005
The review of government structures to improve service delivery will not require any constitutional amendments. This is according to Joel Netshithenze, head of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).
Netshithenze was commenting on a Cabinet debate on a report by the Forum of South African Directors-General (Fosad), which proposes amendments to government structures and the relationship between the executive and management.
The extended Cabinet meeting was attended by deputy ministers, departmental directors-general and all nine provincial premiers.
Concerns have been raised that the discussions may lead to the dissolution of certain departments and provincial governments, requiring amendments to the Constitution.
But government insists the debate has nothing to do with the Constitution. It simply, said Netshithenze, "examines issues relating to government across all spheres, to improve growth, development and the
provision of services".
While government is keen to speed up the implementation of the programme of action, it "won't introduce things that would disturb the work rhythm and so destabilise the implementation process.
"We also want to ensure that whatever we do doesn't unravel the Constitution settlement."
Netshithenze said there was an acknowledgement to "respect the constitutional settlement we currently have.
"There are no holy cows, but there is no recklessness either."
Regarding the future existence of provinces, some of which are seen as slow in service delivery, Netshithenze said the entire government system was under review.
"There is no restriction on raising the question on whether we need a different kind of arrangement between the various spheres, but at the moment, when final decisions are taken, there won't be an attempt to change the essence of the constitutional settlement."
He dismissed media reports that government was
considering "super ministries" and the dissolution of certain departments.
"Speculation on what is contained in the documents doesn't help at all. The fundamental thing is how to improve government efficiency, to put the country on a higher growth and development trajectory."
Work and discussion on the Fosad report will continue between the President and Fosad management.
Source: BuaNews
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