The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has written to the Gauteng Department of Health MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, demanding clarity on whether the draft Funeral Undertakers Reform Bill and the Funeral Industry Reform Regulations will be resurrected or abandoned.
This action follows multiple attempts to hold the MEC for Health Nkomo-Ralehoko and the MEC for Economic Development, Lebohang Maile, accountable for the stalled draft Funeral Undertakers Reform Bill and Funeral Industry Reform Regulations, which have been dormant since their conception by Hamba Nathi Training and Development in 2012. This is despite costing Gauteng residents R3 million, and the evident need to regulate the controversial funeral industry in the province.
Both MECs have been dismissive in their oral responses to questions posed by the DA in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), demonstrating a lack of accountability, transparency, and a disregard for the needs and concerns of Gauteng residents.
The MEC for Health claimed that the Gauteng Department of Health (GDOH) had ‘no record’ of the contracted company responsible for overseeing the production of the funeral bill and funeral reform regulations. Meanwhile, MEC Maile attempted to deflect accountability by saying he was the MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) in 2012, and stated that the ‘DA likes being dramatic’.
MEC Maile flippantly claimed that the information had been supplied to the DA – albeit only after the PAIA appeal and his having received instructions from the Information Regulator to release the information. He said, ‘It serves as evidence that work was performed,’ but indicated that ‘the department will not be in a position to confirm the financial records or the complete scope of work’ and that ‘the drafts are now regarded as active internal policy instruments’ that have to be reassessed.
This is deeply concerning because MEC Maile cannot account for the R3 million that was wasted. He has no financial records to show and has failed to provide either the completed or draft legislation to the Portfolio Committee. Even more troubling is that Hamba Nathi Training and Development has been liquidated, meaning there is no possibility of recouping the millions of rand paid to this company.
This situation is unacceptable and represents a lapse in addressing serious errors within the funeral industry, such as families receiving the wrong body for burial, all of which stem from weak regulations and inadequate oversight.
The DA has written to MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko demanding answers on this unacceptable impasse. We require immediate clarity on the fate of the Draft Funeral Undertakers Reform Bill and Regulations: will it be revived, and if so, when? If it won’t be, what are the reasons behind that decision? We have also requested timelines for the review of these drafts by the Health and Wellness Portfolio Committee. Additionally, we have sought information on when public consultations with stakeholders, including funeral industry associations, will happen. We currently await her reply.
A DA-led Gauteng administration would never have dismissed the concerns of residents in such an arrogant and callous manner. We will ensure transparent expenditure practices, financial oversight, and effective monitoring and evaluation, and provide crucial legislation to relevant committees and stakeholders.