Alan Winde slammed for failed Sopa

The ANC has slammed the State of the Province Address (Sopa) delivered by Premier Alan Winde to the Huguenot Community Hall in Paarl on Monday as a “cheap electioneering speech”. 

The Premier failed to address the challenges of inequalities and escalating violent crimes, according to ANC Police Oversight and Community Safety spokesperson Ayanda Bans. 

ALAN WINDE FAILED TO ADDRESS CRITICAL ISSUES

“The Premier’s address was very thin on what has been done to address the challenges of inequalities, and the escalating violent crimes, in poor working-class communities.

While the DA clamors for more powers to be vested in the province, it has proven incapable of delivering on its own provincial competencies. 

Education, health, human settlements, and community safety have all failed under their watch,” said Bans. 

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She said housing delivery in the province dropped from an average of over 15 000 houses per year between 2004 and 2009 to just over 1 700 in the current financial year. 

“Due to DA’s incompetence, the province has failed to spend over R200 million earmarked for housing development which it has returned to the national treasury. 

Returning millions to the national treasury when our people are in desperate need for housing is shameful,” she said. 

CRIME IN THE PROVINCE WAS WORSENING

Bans said Winde spent over a billion on a safety plan, but crime in the province was worsening. 

“We have consistently said to the Premier that crime is not only a security issue; it is a social phenomenon. The response strategies should also include addressing the causative factors, not just focusing on boots on the ground,” she said. 

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Winde said the province has made good progress in boosting the economy, including creating jobs and ensuring safety and security for residents during his address. 

“2024 will be an important year for us and the world as over 70 countries and almost R2 billion residents vote in elections, including the voters of the Western Cape and South Africa.

I remain deeply concerned about the growing global shift away from respect for the rule of law. I will continue to stand for ensuring that the voices of all our residents are heard, and their service delivery needs are met,” he said.