At the last sitting of the fifth Gauteng Provincial Legislature two important pieces of legislation tabled by the governing party, the ANC, were unanimously adopted by the House, paving way for the enactment of the Open Tender System into law. Secondly, the Transport Authority Bill is a historic achievement since it will integrate and bring communities closer to the mainstay of economic engines in the province.
 
One of the strongest defining features of the current ANC-led Provincial Administration has been to put strong measures to combat corruption both in the public and private sectors. On successive years, the Auditor-General's office has proclaimed clean audits for all Gauteng departments. This has emboldened the ANC-led Provincial Government to enforce more measures to promote clean, ethical and transparent governance.
 
"The enforcement of the Open Tender System into Law is one of the strongest indicators that as the ANC-led administration we are serious about fighting corruption wherever it manifests itself. Secondly, this will restore public confidence and entrench transparency in the business that government does with private businesses or individuals", explained Premier David Makhura
 
The Open Tender System is one of the first of its kind in the country and positions Gauteng as a torchbearer of introducing innovative ways to promote clean governance and the elimination of corruption within the public service.
 
"We applaud members of the House for unanimously passing the Open Tender System Bill, especially those from the governing ANC and the opposition benches. This is not an electioneering ploy, but a clear determination by the ANC on zero tolerance towards corruption", continued Premier Makhura.
 
The Transport Authority Bill is a loadstar of the current 5th administration envisaged to build a single and integrated public transport system in the province. One of the key expected outcomes through the introduction of this Bill is to resolve the Apartheid public transport fault-lines to pave way for the integration of Taxis, Railway transport and Buses into a single transport node, as a result of our fragmented transport system we inherited from our Apartheid past, 25 years ago.
 
"A single public transport system will make it easier for commuters to commute safer across the province. This will also bring economic spin-offs and assist us to drive job opportunities in the transport and logistics sector to benefit our people, especially the youth who are currently in the periphery of economic activity", said Premier Makhura.
 
According to Premier Makhura, "this Bill is a culmination of a democratic, transparent, extensive and wide consultation with our people and relevant stakeholders".
 
This will see Gauteng having an efficient, affordable and reliable public transport system.

 
Issued by Gauteng Provincial Government