The Democratic Alliance (DA) sounded alarm over looming mass unemployment facing thousands of Gauteng residents employed through Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s Nasi iSpani programme.
The poorly planned job programme is crumbling due lack of funding, according to reports from various government departments.
Gauteng DA leader, Solly Msimanga, revealed a memo dated June 25, 2024, indicated contractual agreements with Green Army EPWP participants had ended, leading to delays in payment of stipends for work completed.
A memo from Department of Education informed Gauteng Youth Brigade programme employees their contracts would also end.
Msimanga said Premier Lesufi has denied Nasi iSpani has collapsed and shifted blame to department heads.
Premier Lesufi denied Nasi iSpani collapsed and instead shifted the blame to department heads. In a tweet, he stated, “Going nowhere! There’s confusion about the EPWP green army contracts and the continued employment of the Gauteng Traffic Wardens.”
However, DA warned provincial government does not have sufficient funds to sustain the programme and called for a well-planned job creation strategy that prioritises long-term sustainability.
In light of uncertain future facing Nasi iSpani participants, DA urged government to prioritize job creation initiatives to benefit residents of Gauteng in the long run.
Msaimanga said it is crucial to create a conducive environment for the private sector to generate sustainable jobs, rather than relying on short-term programmes with budget constraints.
The DA is calling for Premier Lesufi to be transparent about failure of Nasi iSpani and implement sustainable job creation strategy that will prevent mass unemployment in Gauteng.
“The fate of thousands of residents hangs in the balance, and urgent action is needed to address this pressing issue,” added Msimanga.
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