Social development trims operations costs by R8 million in less than six months
The Department of Social Development in KwaZulu-Natal has moved swiftly to contain costs, slashing the department’s subsistence and travel claims by a whopping R8 million in less than six months, MEC Weziwe Thusi said today.
Addressing hundreds of people in Hluhluwe, Thusi said her department had embarked on cost cutting measures on non-essential services to ensure that more money was spent on delivering services to the people.
“The Cabinet lekgotla gave us the directive to do all we can to ensure that more money goes to our people. Although travelling is part of delivering services, we have managed to do things differently which has seen us trimming travelling costs without affecting service delivery. This includes the use of telephone conferences instead of travelling long distances to hold meetings. I commend my staff for ensuring that these cost cutting measures become successful. The R8 million we have saved in the past five months will go a long way in improving people’s lives and we strongly believe that we will be able to make more savings in the near future,” Thusi added.
Thusi said the lekgotla had also resolved to do away with luxuries such as VIP services, including catering for government during public events and reducing spending at management level and invest more in lower levels which is where people interact directly with government on daily basis.
“We will soon let the public know how much we have saved on cutting down on VIP services. What we are doing shows that we are a caring government that prioritises service delivery. What is good about this cost cutting exercise is that we have decided to do it as government and the ruling party without being pushed by opposition parties or the public.”
Before addressing the community, Thusi officially opened the multi-million Inkanyiso Early Childhood Centre in Danny Dalton outside Ulundi. The crèche was built by the Department of Social Development to the tune of R5 million and it continues to receive financial assistance for operations from the department. The centre accommodates 50 children.
Enquiries:
Ncumisa Fandesi
Cell: 083 447 0958
Vukani Mbhele
Cell: 083 307 8964
