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The Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng welcomes British American Tobacco SA’s (BATSA) commitment to reinvest in the Gauteng economy if illicit tobacco producers fall below 25%. For this to happen, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi must enforce the laws to curb the illicit trade of tobacco.

Premier Lesufi’s failure to clamp down on crime, including illicit trade in tobacco, has led to BATSA taking the decision to close its manufacturing plant in Heidelberg. This will leave 230 families without a breadwinner. Lesufi frequently preaches about creating jobs in the province. The irony is that Lesufi and his MEC, Lebogang Maile brag about how their Vaal Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will bring new jobs. But this SEZ is adjacent to BATSA’s manufacturing plant and now, instead of an increase in jobs, there is a decrease. It shows that the SEZ and the province’s strategy is not working.

The Vaal SEZ is plagued by constant changes to staff and lacks effective leadership. The SEZ is incapable of producing meaningful plans to create jobs and drive economic growth. This SEZ was meant to feed into the BATSA manufacturing plant, as the two properties are next to each other. This has not happened. Job creation requires investors, and for that to happen government needs to ensure that crime is brought under control. In addition, there needs to be a reliable supply of water and electricity in the province.

Due to the provincial government’s failure to ensure that the right conditions exist, a company like BATSA has decided to manufacture its products at other production plants outside of the country.

We call on Premier Lesufi and his MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, to stop the reliance on propaganda and take real, tangible steps to remove those things that block investment, namely crime and service delivery. A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would show the willingness to be open for business. Our governments in the Western Cape and in Midvaal have shown the benefits of real cooperation with businesses. Action must be taken, not only talk.

Yes, it can be done! A DA government would succeed in growing Gauteng’s economy and create much-needed employment.

Issued by Mike Moriarty MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Economic Development