The R780,000 donkey cart project of the North West department of community safety and road management has been criticized by the DA and ActionSA, acording to Times Live.
Twenty donkey carts were purchased by the government for R780,000 and distributed to locals two districts outside of Mahikeng. Three years of services are included in the price.
According to Sello Lehari’s office, the project aimed to lessen the difficulties that rural populations faced. According to reports, the carts are used to transport old people to pension pay stations, children to schools, those who need assistance getting to and from shops, and sick people to clinics.
According to the office, two-seater donkey carts cost R32k each and the four-seaters R45k.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) should look into the project immediately, the Democratic Alliance (DA) demanded, claiming it was dubious and wildly pricey.
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The DA criticized the ANC for its apparent contempt for the needs and dignity of these residents, adding that the donkey carts donation “smacks of brazen corruption.”
Patients are instructed to use donkey carts as a mode of transportation because the ANC administration has failed to invest in ambulances and an adequate transportation infrastructure for this province over the years. Cabinet members are doing this while traveling in posh vehicles.
“It is distressing to see how brazenly the ANC administration has attempted to use this farce to hide its failings over the past nearly three decades. We urge President Ramaphosa to take action, direct the SIU to look into this outrage, and make sure the department offers the residents of Dibono and Manawana communities practical and efficient transportation options.
ActionSA criticized Lehari for choosing to sell locals donkey carts rather than repairing the roads and infrastructure that have been a problem in rural areas.
“After 28 years of ANC control in North West, one would assume they would be aware of the needs of the population and would put policies in place to help lift people out of poverty, yet they continue to fall short. The donation of these donkey carts is another another evident sign that the ANC government neither has a strategy nor the will to improve the lives of its citizens, according to the party.
It stated that the tender needs to be looked at and asked how many donkey carts will be purchased over the next three years.
