Winde criticised for failing to outline plans to address inequality, crime, housing backlog

CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has come in for harsh criticism from opposition parties in the province for failing to outline how he plans to address inequality, the housing backlog, gangsterism and crime in the province. 

Debating his opening of the provincial parliament address on Thursday, the African National Congress (ANC), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), National Coloured Congress (NCC), Al Jama-ah and Good were among parties who claimed Winde was bragging about long-standing projects which had done little to uplift marginalised communities.

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 Leader of the opposition, the ANC's Khalid Sayed said that the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s continued administration of the Western Cape only benefited the well-off.

Sayed said that his party was concerned another five years of DA rule would mean the DA's priorities would remain unchanged. 

"How will things be different? This government must do more to build a more equal society. The premier did not mention the racial tensions threatening a truly united South Africa."

Meanwhile, the EFF's Aishah Cassiem said that Winde had failed to give hope to the poor and marginalised, particularly getting a grip on crime.

"He failed to address this in the previous term so it was clear that yesterday there was no plan of action or idea as to how he actually plans to eradicate crime in the province."

The National Coloured Congress’ Duwayne Jacobs said that the DA was not spending enough money in coloured communities, selling off public land to the wealthy rather than developing it for public benefit.