Service delivery in sorry state – Sisulu

THE lack of political will, skills and capacity and the politicising of public service were the main factors undermining service delivery in the Eastern Cape, Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said in Port Elizabeth last night.

In a frank and damning assessment of public service in the province, an elegantly dressed Sisulu said: "The problems we have identified in the lack of service delivery include too high expectations, the lack of skills, corruption, the inability to maintain infrastructure, the blurring of the lines between politics and public service and the unequal distribution of resources, which has meant that the rich areas are kept rich and serviced and the poor areas are being kept poor."

She painted this picture against the backdrop of apartheid and the vital role played by struggle icon Raymond Mhlaba as she delivered the annual memorial lecture in his honour at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) last night.