acted since its inception in the key areas that needed attention in that province. As we speak, about 28 senior managers are still facing charges and disciplinary processes related to financial misconduct, fraud

and corruption and they are still not in jail or expelled. All that we hear is that the forensic investigations are still under way.

The National Prosecuting Authority together with the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations are pursuing 51 criminal cases related to public funds in the North West, and only 10 has been concluded with unsatisfactory results without a single senior manager being sentenced to a jail term. The province has again reported irregular expenditure of about R3,4 billion. The Asset Forfeiture Unit has not recovered even a cent in priority cases in their disposal. Chairperson, the collapse of government structures happens when the supply chain management, financial controls, high levels of accruals, failure to manage contracts, fraud and corruption happens due to senior officials not adhering to procurementprocesses.

There is a high vacancy rate especially at managerial level, collapse of services in hospitals together with not providing services to the local clinics. The emergency medical services are underresourced and incapacitated. Chairperson, all the key areas that are mentioned are still not resolved for the North West province to be back on its feet and provide services to our people. A single intervention headed by an opposition

parties should be established as ANC has failed. I thank you, Chairperson.

Ms B P SHIBA (Mpumalanga - MEC: COGTA): Hon Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, hon Masondo; the Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, hon Lucas; the chairperson of the select committee, hon Dodovu, Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Cogta, Mom Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma; the Deputy Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, hon Bapela; hon members of the select committee; permanent and special delegates to the NCOP; my colleagues members of the executive council, MECs, that are present; the secretary to the NCOP and officials, good morning.

The provincial government led by the premier, has the constitutional obligation to provide services to the community effectively and timeously. Section 125 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, mandates the premier to amongst others, exercise the executive authority, together with the other members of the executive council, by implementing provincial legislation in the province; and implementing all national legislation within the functional areas listed in Schedule 4 or 5 , except where theConstitution

or an Act of Parliament provides otherwise. The above mentioned section is a relevant and important provision in the Constitution, hon Chairperson, because provincial governments functionality is measured against their ability to perform their constitutional obligations to the citizens in their respective provinces.

In summary, section 100 just as it is supported in section 139(7) of the Constitution provides that, if a province cannot or does not fulfil an executive obligation in terms of the Constitution or legislation, it becomes necessary that the national executive intervenes by taking any appropriate steps to ensure fulfilment of that obligation, including assuming responsibility for the relevant obligation in that province to the extent necessary to maintain essential national standards or meet established minimum standards for the rendering of a service and to maintain the economic unity.

We are here to share our views on the intervention that was necessary and constitutional to rescue the ailing service delivery machinery for the people of the North Westprovince.