/ 8 February 2008

Consumer forum criticises public officials

Public officials and top managers needed to be scrutinised more carefully in light of the current electricity crisis, the National Consumer Forum (NCF) said on Friday. ''Our current electricity crisis is the result of public officials not doing their jobs properly,'' said NCF chairperson Thami Bolani in a statement.

Public officials and top managers needed to be scrutinised more carefully in light of the current electricity crisis, the National Consumer Forum (NCF) said on Friday.

”Our current electricity crisis is the result of public officials not doing their jobs properly. Their performance has been sub-standard and yet they have been paid bonuses — from money that comes from consumers’ purchases or taxes,” said NCF chairperson Thami Bolani in a statement.

”What is needed is a public process of appointment, where citizens from all walks of life — ranging from public representatives, labour leaders, consumer groups and business — can interrogate candidates in a public forum and have input on the selection process,” he said.

”It is not enough for a minister or even a board to simply select people for top jobs, and to then protect them when they face criticism or fail completely.”

Bolani said consumers were paying for the poor decisions and under-performance of politicians and civil servants.

He added that consumers were losing faith in the country’s leaders and managers.

”They are earning taxpayers’ money. They need to be committed, qualified and accountable. As consumers, we need to have more input on the kind of person our government is employing to serve us,” said Bolani. — Sapa