
=====================================================================
Premier's response to MEC Goqwana's ambulance services saga
=====================================================================

Speeches and Media Releases
 Premier's Office

[         w

MEDIA RELEASE
 FOR IMMEDIATE USE
 31 OCTOBER 2000



RESPONSE FROM PREMIER STOFILE  TO MEC GOQWANA'S  AMBULANCE SERVICES SAGA

I wish to put the record straight on the question of MEC Goqwana and the ambulance services. Many have written and commented but none asked 
a single question from me on the matter. In the spirit of good governance and discouraging speculative bickering, I feel it is my 
responsibility to make this comment.

1) It is true that Dr Goqwana was elected to the Provincial Legislature and subsequently appointed as MEC whilst he owned the said 
business;

2) It is equally true that MEC Goqwana declared this business interest to me;

3) It is also true that the MEC informed me that he was selling his business but was having problems getting the buyers to pay him.

Let me now turn to the law:

a) Section 22 of the Constitution of the RSA allows MEC Goqwana to own any business of his choice;

b) The code of conduct for political office bearers also allows him to own a business, but has to declare it.

So it is not correct to allege that he has broken any law. He could not have broken the Public Service Code of Conduct because he is not a 
civil servant. Mr Colm Allan is wrong. We are not sure what action to take, on the basis of what the Speaker of the Provincial Legislature 
has in mind. He will probably guide us.

Dr Gazilidez must focus on his work rather than commenting on issues he knows nothing about.

I am sure that our critics do not know that both Dr Goqwana and myself agreed that for him to have a health services-related business was 
not a good thing, although he is perfectly entitled in law to a trade of his choice. I do not believe that our critics suggest that we 
change the Constitution.

Rev M A Stofile
 Premier of the Province of the Eastern Cape

Issued by:Communications Division  Office of the Premier
 Inquiries:Manelisi Wolela 082 414 7768

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Home | About the Eastern Cape | Documents
 Economy | Structures | International Relations | Site Map
 Premier's Office | Speeches & Media Releases | Links
 Top of Page

---------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Eastern Cape

Premier's Office

Structures

Documents

Speeches & Media Releases

International Relations

Economy

Links


