Mme Thandi Modise, Hon. Premier of the North West Province; Hon. Speaker; Citizens of the North West, may I say, all protocol observed.
Xhamela, Walter Sisulu, was a delegate of the ANC to the Congress of the People held in 1955, in Kliptown. He was part of the 3000 delegates who judiciously crafted and articulated a historic document that was later to be known as the Peoples Document - The Freedom Charter. My fellow compatriots from the left call it "the New Testament of the working class."
Tomorrow, on Friday, the 18th May 2012, we will be celebrating 100 years, since the birth of Xhamela, Walter Sisulu, and the icon of our struggle for freedom. The organisation that he represented as a delegate to the Congress of the People of 1955 has also turned 100 years on the oatn January 1912. What an awesome coincidence of history. Through this budget vote we pay homage to Ntate Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu and we also pay tribute, to the ANC, which is now the ruling party. Consciously, I make mention of all the above, precisely because, I need the indulgence of this 'glorious House of the People', to only quote one (1) clause from the Freedom Charter.
That is, Clause 9, which fearlessly declares that: "there shall be houses, security and comfort". In the explanatory notes of Clause 9 of the Freedom Charter, we read the following words of wisdom: "all people shall have the right to live where they choose, all people shall be decently housed, all people shall bring up their families in comfort and security; and that unused housing space shall be made available to the people; that slums shall be abolished and new suburbs built where all people have transport, roads, lighting, playing fields, crèches, and social centres.
That fenced locations and ghettos shall be demolished and laws which break up families shall be repealed". These are the explanatory notes of Clause 9 of the Freedom Charter which underpins the framework of our department. It is therefore not by mistake that we are called: "Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison Department" - it is the mandate of the delegates of the real and genuine Congress of the People of 1955 where Xamela Walter Sisulu was a delegate. As we deliver this budget vote we humble ourselves in silent prayer to the now 100 years old Ntate Sisulu:
"Tata we know you are still living your life in heaven. We know you are shining down on us from heaven. Even though the sun doesn't shine the same, but, we hear you Tata,as you guide us to always look forward to a brighter day. May your undying spirit live long. Please guide us, as we try to execute this mandate on behalf of the People of the North West Help us to honour Clause 09 of the Freedom Charter by providing houses, security and comfort for all our people".
Honourable Speaker; the Department of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison presents the 2012-2013 budget vote.
| The Branch of Public Safety & Liaison Vote | ||
| BUDGET PER PROGRAMME | R'000 |
AMOUNT IN WORDS |
|
Management Administrations |
107,351 |
One Hundred and Seven Million ThreeHundred and Fifty One Thousand Rands |
| Civilian OVersight | 20,993 | Twenty Million Nine Hundred and Ninety Three Thousand Rands |
|
Crime Prevention and Community Police Relations |
8,138 | Eight Million One Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand Rands. |
| Transport Regulation |
242,230 |
Two Hundred and Forty Two Million Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Rands. |
| TOTAL BUDGET PROGRAMME | 378,712 | Three Hundred and Seventy Eight Million Seven Hundred and Twelve Thousand Rands. |
| BUDGET PER ECONOMIC CLASSIFICATION | R'000 | AMOUNT IN WORDS |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation of employees | 283,105 | Two Hundred and Eighty Three Million One Hundred and Five Thousand Rands |
| Goods and services | 88,380 | Eighty Eight Million Three Hundred and Eighty Thousand Rands |
|
Transfer payments |
2,295 | Million Two Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand Rands. |
| Capital payments | 4,932 | Four Million Nine Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand Rands. |
| TOTAL BUDGET |
378,712 |
Three Hundred and Seventy Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Twelve Thousand Rands. |
The Branch of Human Settlements Vote
| 2012/13 Departmental | R'000 | Amounts in words |
| Allocation Receipts | ||
| Equitable Shares | 148,245 | One Hundred and Forty Eight Million Two> Hundred and> Forty Five Thousand Rands |
| Conditiona Grant | 1,050,933 | One Billion Fifty Million Nine Hundred andThirty Three Thousand Rands |
| Departmental Receipts | 158 | One hundred and Fifty Eight Thousand Rands |
| TOTAL | 1,199,336 | One Billion One Hundred and Ninety Nine Million Three Hundred and Thirty Six Thousand Rands |
| 2012/13 Departmental Allocation Per Programme | R'000 | Amounts in words |
| Administration | 113,724 | One Hundred and Thirteen Million Seven Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand Rands |
| HousingNeeds, Planning and Research | 7,768 | Seven Million Seven HundredandSixtyEight Thousand Rands |
| Housing Development |
1,077,844 |
One Billion Seventy Seven Million Eight Hundred and Forty Four Thousand Rands |
| TOTAL | 1,199,336 | One Billion One Hundred and Ninety Nine MillionThree Hundred and Thirty Six Thousand Rands |
| 2012/13 Departmental Allocation Per Economic Classification | R'000 | Amounts in words |
| Compensation of Employees | 96,382 | Ninety Six Million Three Hundred and Eighty TwoThousand Rands |
| Goods and Services | 50,663 | Fifty Million Six Hundred and Sixty Three Thousand Rands |
|
Transfer Payments |
1,051,590 |
One Billion Fifty One Million Five Hundredand Ninety Thousand Rands |
| capital Payments | 701 | Seven Hundred and One Thousand Rands |
| TOTAL | 1,199,336 | One billion One Hundred and Ninety Nine Million Three Hundred and Thirty Six Thousand Rands |
Public Safety and Liaison Branch
In ensuring that there is security for all our people, the South African Police Service, the Department of Justice, Traffic Officers, Correctional Services, Community Policing Forums, South African National Defence Force, NGO's, Crime fighting Agencies and other related Justice cluster Departments should work like a team in executing the mandate of the Human Settlements; Public Safety and Liaison. We do this guided by the philosophy of "Together we can achieve more".
Monitoring and Oversight
Honourable Speaker, we made a commitment in the last Financial Year about assessing the state of our Police Stations across the Province. We are pleased to announce that we have assessed all 82 police stations and the findings will be forwarded to the management of SAPS for implementation.
Determination of Policing Priorities
One of our major challenges in the past years has been of community consultation on the determination of policing priorities.
In this regard we have developed a framework in determining priorities which outline full community participation. Fellow citizens, we are pleased to inform you that all Station Commanders, in twelve Policing Clusters have been retrained on the very same framework. This framework will be subject to continuous monitoring, assessment and reporting.
The National Commissioner together with the Portfolio Committees have visited several police stations within our Province. This team has made number of recommendations. The primary reason for these recommendations is to move forward-faster with the process of service delivery. SAPS has already internalised these recommendations. As part of our continuous assessment, we will make visits to the police stations to verify that these recommendations are indeed implemented.
Promulgation and Implementation of the Civilian Secretariat of Police Act (2 of 2011)
Fellow citizens of the North West Province; this Act brings significant changes in the manner in which we have been conducting oversight on the Police. For instance, the Department will have to ensure compliance with the prescripts of the Domestic Violence Act.
Further, the Department will have to investigate community complaints around aspects of service delivery. The report we have, is that up to so far, we have received Two Hundred and Ninety Four (294) service delivery complaints. This data has been compiled from the 01st April 2012. In terms of the new Act, the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) is now referred to as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
The new Act has introduced the recruitment of Community Patrollers. This Community Patrollers will take the form and content of the Expanded Public Works Programme. However, we have encountered challenges in recruiting community patrollers as planned due to lack of a Policy Framework. Our objective is to finalise the policy and implement it during this financial year. Fellow citizens; we pledge ourselves that we shall be starting with the process of recruitment as soon as reasonably possible. We should all understand that this process carries serious financial implications. Our engagement with both the Provincial and National Treasury is under way in this regard.
Community Safety Forums (CSFs)
Fellow patriots; the Community Safety Forums Framework has been approved by the National Minster of Public safety and Police. This is a positive development that will result in the establishment of the CSFs across our Province.
The initiative taken by the Rustenburg Local Municipality to establish a Local Community Safety Forum clearly shows that we are heading in the right direction.
Community Engagement on the Criminal Justice System
This is an essential exercise, because victims of crime and the general public should be encouraged to take part on justice issues. Our community must participate on programs of Crime Prevention through environmental design, redesign and maintenance. In the end this project will help us to identify crime hot-spots throughout the Province. Fellow citizens of the North West; working together against crime we can achieve more!
Departmental Crime Prevention Programmes
Our Department has introduced the letsema Crime-Hotspot Project. This project is a collective effort of our community members and the local municipalities. We encourage those municipalities who are dragging their feet in joining this noble effort to please come on board. Our Anti-Firearms Campaign is also bearing the fruits of success.
Implementation of the National Rolling Enforcement Plan
Honourable Speaker; during the year 2010, our motor vehicle population was standing at Five Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Four Hundred and Forty seven (516 447).
In the year 2012,this motor vehicle population has accelerated to Five Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand and Fifty Nine (535 059). This means, there has been a dramatic increase of Eighteen Thousand Six Hundred and Twelve (18612) in population of vehicles.
Honourable Speaker, let us inform this august House that, Nine Thousand One Hundred and Seventy Six (9176) "Abnormal Permits" for transport of "abnormal loads" on public roads were issued. On a lighter note; this "abnormal" does not mean madness! It means extremely big or huge vehicles!
Dear patriots, we have as from April 2011, stopped Eight Hundred and Forty Three Thousand (843000) vehicles on our roads. Further, we went on to issue One Hundred and Eighteen Thousand (118000) summonses for the period April 2011-March 2012. The offences of driving without a licence are Twenty Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy Seven (20277). The offences of violation of Public Passenger Transport Permit Condition are; Two Thousand Five Hundred and Thirteen (2513). Whereas the offences of overloading of goods are; Three Thousand Five Hundred and Seventy Six (3576).
During this period we have witnessed One Thousand One Hundred and Twenty Eight (1128) fatalities due to motor related accidents. In this dreadful period Forty Seven (47) crashes have been recorded. The main causes are speed, jay-walking, hit and run, stray animals, shortdistance-following and tyre busts.
Road Safety
Hon. Speaker a project called: "A Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 Campaign" has been launched. Through this campaign we will intensify our social marketing strategy for road safety. This will include scholar patrollers, safety education, awareness against speeding and the importance of safety belts. Fellow patriots, we are pleased to announce that we have recruited Hundred and Fifty (150) Road Safety Rangers in partnership with the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport with the objective of managing the movement of stray animals on our public roads.
Road Safety Volunteers
Honourable Speaker; in our effort to ensure pedestrian safety of young pedestrians within our Province, the Department implemented a Pilot Project of recruiting Twenty Five (25) Road Safety Volunteers in Ngaka Modiri Molema to work closely with the Scholar Patrol Teams. This project will be rolled out throughout the Province in this Financial Year.
Traffic Fleet to increase high Visibility
Honourable Speaker, our Department has been inundated with complaints from citizens about the non-visibility of our traffic officers. We have decided to embark on the process of acquiring new traffic fleet throughout the province and improve on our branding and visibility.
Alcohol Evidence Centre
Honourable Speaker, we are pleased to announce that together with the Rustenburg local Municipality and the South African Breweries have established a partnership, which has started an Alcohol Evidence Centre in Tlhabane.
The centre will be functional during this Financial Year of 2012/2013. Personnel will be identified and trained in this regard. We envisage the launch of this project to be in June 2012. 24 Hour Shift System
Fellow South Africans, we are forging ahead with the 24 hour system initiative. One Hundred (100) new traffic officers will be recruited and trained. After the successful incubation of these traffic officers, then, they will be placed across the Province. This initiative will be conducted in phases. The city of Rustenburg has been identified as the specimen of this project by the Provincial Traffic Authority.
This has been done in order to deal with the high accident rate in the Bojanala District.
Honourable Speaker; in the spirit of honouring 100 years since the birth of Ntate Sisulu on the 18 May 1912, we are honoured to announce to this august House that Rustenburg Municipality has already started rolling out this programme. All we want to do, is, to ensure "security and comfort" for our people on our roads as mandated by the Freedom Charter of which Ntate Sisulu is also an author.
Weighbridge Management
Dear South Africans of the North West Province; management of the weighbridges across the Province is a thorny issue and the Department has thus resolved to take over the management of these weighbridges. Honourable Speaker; we proudly declare that, the Koster Weighbridge is now being internally managed; as a result, we have saved R3,2 million. We are still contracted on the Zeerust and Potchefstroom weighbridges until 2013. After the end of this contract we will certainly take them over. The reactivation of the Lichtenburg, Vryburg,Christiana and Ventersdorp Weighbridges remains a challenge. We are, however, working closely with Department of Public Works Roads and Transport on this matter.
Fraudulent: Licences
During the 2011-2012 Financial Year, we have cancelled Three Hundred and Eight (308) driver's licences and learner’s licences. This was after conducting series of inspections at the Driver Licence Testing Centres. After our inspections we established that licences were being fraudulently acquired. Criminal investigations on the officials concerned are underway. The relationship of the "corruptor and the corruptee” shall be criminally investigated and offenders prosecuted and sentenced when found guilty.
We will allow the long arm of the law to take its cause, because, we are a society that is subject to the rule of law. Also as part of curbing fraudulent licences, we have jointly with the Department of Transport launched a pilot project in Rustenburg on the E-Learners Licence System. Between the month of May and June, this year (2012) we will move to Lehurutshe Licence Testing Centre to launch another E-Learners Licence System. This system will reduce manual issuing of licences and fraudulent transactions that have been taking place.
Policing in the Province
Fellow patriots, we planned a crime-free and fair; Local Government Elections in 2011. We can now declare that, indeed these elections were crime free and fair. No major criminal activities were reported during the period in question.
Honourable Speaker; our on-going battle against crime has shown a tremendous decrease in a number of "Provincial Priority Crimes" for the Financial Year 2010-2011compared to the period 2009-2010.
During the year under review, sexual crime showed decrease from, Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Nine (4759) to Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Six (4706). Assault GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm) showed a decrease from Fourteen Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty Six ( 14556) to Fourteen Thousand and Eighty Two (14082). Common Assault from Eight Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety Three (8893) to Seven Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Six (7786).
Burglary (none residential) decreased from Five Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty One (5 361) to Four Thousand Nine Hundred and Eighty Seven (4 987) and Residential Burglary decreased from Eighteen Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety Three {18 893) to Fourteen Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Seven (14 777). Robbery (Residential) decreased from Eight Hundred and Ninety Nine (899) to Eight Hundred and Twenty Eight (828). Non Residential Robbery increased from One Thousand One Hundred and Thirty (1 130) to One Thousand One Hundred and Sixty Two (1 162). Robbery (Aggravating) decreased from Five Thousand Four Hundred and Forty Two (5 442) to Five Thousand and Eighty (5 080). Other robberies decreased from Three Thousand and Eight (3 008) to Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty One (2 741).
Stock Theft decreased from Three Thousand One Hundred and Forty Eight (3 148) to Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Eight (2 728). The crimes of murder showed a single digit increase from Seven Hundred and Forty Three (743) to Seven Hundred and Forty Four (744). These statistics have been verified and thoroughly checked. We state without fear or favour that these statistics are true and accurate.
SAPS, the Department of Education and the Public Safety & Liaison Branch embarked on a "Junior Commissioner Project" (JCP) to curb crime and substance abuse in schools across the Province. The Junior Commissioners to be appointed will be mentored by the respective commanders to develop their leadership skills and acumen.
Fellow patriots; the police are being killed and these are our guardians in a society. They are awake when we are asleep; trying with the little they have to ensure that we sleep in peace;our lives are safe and our property is secured. As a result of these senseless attacks and killings against our men and women in blue, an "Anti-Police Killing Summit" was convened in Matlosana on 16th March 2012. All police men and women including community members and leaders gathered under one roof. Together and collectively they came up with ways and mechanisms to curb these acts of barbarism, which are blemishing our constitutional democracy. These killing and attacks of our men and women in uniform must stop!
Human Resources Management
Honourable Speaker; we report that 95% of positions that were approved as critical and funded for 2011-2012 have been filled by 31st March 2012 In an effort to change the male dominated traffic management profession, we are going to recruit female traffic officers. We have also decided to train and promote more women in traffic structures. Over and above, we will implement the Traffic Management Learnership Programme. Further, we are planning on recruiting Twenty (20) unemployed youth and preference shall be given to women.
In an effort to try and reach a National Target of 2% of Persons with Disabilities in the Department, we are working closely with the organisations for persons with disability. Certain positions will be earmarked for persons with disabilities from the One Hundred and Forty Four (144) vacancies that have been approved as critical and funded for 2012-2013 Financial Year. Budget has been set aside, to the estimate value of Forty Six Million Five Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ten Rands (R46, 528,910). Fellow South Africans of the North Wes1; together we can do more!
Revenue Collection
Honourable Speaker; our Department in the previous Financial Year committed to collect Two Hundred and Fifty Seven Million and Sixty Nine Thousand (R257, 069,000), but, we are pleased to announce that we have exceeded our target by Twenty four Million Six Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand (R24, 662,000). This means, we went above board by 9.6%.The total revenue collected is, Two Hundred and Eighty One Million Seven Hundred and Thirty Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Nine and Twenty Nine Cents (R281 730 799, 29.).
Fellow patriots, in our effort to improve service delivery at our Revenue Collection Offices, the Department with the assistance of the National Department of Transport has replaced old and outdated equipment. In return, we have provided new and effective equipment in the form of (computers & printers) and to all Thirty (30) registering authorities and Twenty Eight (28) Driving Licence Testing Stations in the province. Our Permit Abnormal Section will be beefed up as part of our strategy to collect more revenue.
Financial Performance 2011/12/Audit Opinion
Honourable Speaker; we have obtained a qualified audit opinion for the year 2010/11. In our endeavour to achieve a clean audit by 2014, an Audit Action Plan was drawn. This Action Plan will provide a turnaround strategy that will assist the Provincial Internal Audit and the Department with methods to achieve a clean audit. Our Plans for 2012/13
The Department plans to achieve the following:
- Implementation of the Civilian Secretariat for Police Act, although there are budget constraints.
- Conducting an Independent Community Satisfaction Survey (ICSS). This ICSS will be of great help to SAPS to position itself as we move forward.
- Implementation of the Decade of Action Campaign (DAC). Special focus will be Pedestrian Campaign, Road Safety Ranger's Programme,and Road Safety Councils.
- An amount of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Rands (R753 000) will be allocated social crime prevention campaigns through funding of business plans for CPF's and other non-profit organisations and a budget of Fifty Thousand Rands ( RSOO 00 will be set aside for capacity-building of CPF members.
- We will commence with the process of installing CCTV Cameras as part of enhancing safety and security in the City of Mahikeng. Budget has been set aside for Traffic officers' uniforms, two-way radio-communications system; new traffic fleet will also be included in the revitalisation of the City of Mahikeng.
- Opening of two new well equipped Traffic Stations in Moretele and Klerksdorp.
- We will continue to implement the "Crime Prevention through Environmental Design Strategy [CPTED Strategy] through Letsema. This will encapsulate campaigns such as destruction of stolen goods, anti-rape and anti-fire arms campaigns.
- Implementation of Road Traffic Management Learnership Programme where the target group is Twenty (20) unemployed youth.
- Filling up of One Hundred and Forty Four (144) vacancies that have been approved as critical and funded for 2012 2013 with an estimated budget of (Forty Six Million, Five Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand,Nine Hundred and Ten Rand (R46, 528,910).
- Focus on projects to improve staff wellbeing with the 0, 05% of the total personnel budget that has been allocated to Integrated Employee Health & Wellness Programmes as per EXCO resolution.
- Revenue collection of Two Hundred and Ninety Nine Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand (R299 250 000), which constitutes an increase of R42 million.
- Establishment of new Licensing Authorities in Hartebeespoortdam, Letlhabile, Marikana and Rasimone. A total of One Million Three Hundred Thousand (R1 300 000, 00.) has been put aside for these projects.
- Continue to reach our month targets of stopping and screening Sixty Five Thousand people (65000) per month as planned.
- Intensify our special operations on drunken driving.
- Improve policing of Public Transport (especially tracking fraudulent permits) fraudulent licences and speeding.
- Execution of warrants of arrest and patrols on national routes.
After careful consideration, we have, therefore, arrived at a logical conclusion to assemble and activate Jaws Operations to focus on these areas.
Construction of New Police Stations
We have lobbied the SAPS to build new police stations and we are pleased to announce that Klipgat, Hebron and Jouberton respectively have been completed and opened. The Amelia Police Station and lehurutshe Dog Unit will be completed in due course.
SAPS Operational Priorities not under our budget but remains our Priority
We will commence this Financial Year by prioritising the issue of Community Outreach Programmes. Certain strategies are under review. We are going to be very strict, but also working with the community in making sure that we reduce crime levels by 4, 7%.
This will be done by implementing crime intelligence driven operations and it will be backed by "Integrated Crime Prevention Approach".
Police visibility will be a priority and ameliorated by the sustenance of the current number of Police Reservists until the moratorium regarding Reservists is uplifted. The finalisation of Provincial liquor Bill; implementation of the Pounds Act; Second Hand Goods Act; and Business Act would improve the prevention and combating of property related crimes. Contact related crimes and contact crimes, non-ferrous-metals and stock-theft will also be dealt with by these Acts and Bills. Our farmers and our people, who stay in the rural areas or country-side, will not be left behind. Let me announce to this august House that the much spoken Rural Safety Strategy (RSS) will be implemented.
Fellow South Africans of the North West Province; the issue of finger prints will also be addressed. Our vetting process is lagging behind. Experts and personnel will be capacitated through education and training to ensure that they fulfil this task with diligence. Hon. Speaker together, we can do more!
The Branch of Human Settlements Human Settlements Planning
Consistent with the political mandate and the outcome 8, eight Municipalities have been assisted in reviewing their housing sector plans. Out of the eight, Tlokwe is currently going through the Departmental planning, while Matlosana is finalising its approval process.
Multi Year Housing Development Plan
Honourable Speaker we have seen the Department fast tracking review and updating of the Provincial Multiyear Housing Development Plan, in line with the Human Settlements mandate. Further consultative processes are currently underway and will culminate into a comprehensive Human Settlements strategy for the Province.
Accreditation Process
Three Municipalities have been assessed by the Compliance and Capacity Assessment Panel in line with outcome 8 target. The panel has recommended that Tlokwe Local Municipality be accredited for Level 1 accreditation within the applicable accreditation framework. Honourable Speaker, we are glad to pronounce that we have established the accreditation project steering committee which will develop the support plan for all Municipalities to finally be accredited.
Housing Delivery
In the last financial year we committed to build Thirteen thousand nine hundred (13 900) houses, as at the end of financial year, we have built Sixteen thousand, three and thirty three (16333) housing units. Honourable Speaker, for the current financial year we are committing to provide Ten thousand, nine hundred and thirty two houses (10 932), Four thousand, three and eighty seven (4387) will be serviced sites while One thousand two hundred and eighty eight will be rectification. Let me also announce to the house at large that the Department has acquired the land to the value of fourteen million {14 million) with two hundred and fifty nine point sixty seven {259.67) hectares. A further twenty four million nine hundred thousand {24, 9 million) has been set aside for further acquisition of well-located land. We will also provide nine hundred and seventy seven (977) units, dedicated to vulnerable groups.
Informal Settlement Upgrading
Honourable Speaker, five years ago we partnered with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) to develop a comprehensive informal settlements database. We are delighted to announce that on the 13 1 April 2012 the National
Department of Science & Technology and SANSA handed over to this Department and Province an Informal Settlements Database Atlas. This database will enhance our planning and guide future allocation with a view to eradicate slums. Thus far 140 informal settlements have been identified across the North
West Province with high dominance in the Bojanala District.
Copies of the same Atlas have been disseminated to all districts and local municipalities. This should help all role players to attain outcome eight (8) target of eradicating twenty eight thousands eight hundred and forty (28 840) informal settlements households by 2014. An amount of two hundred and thirty million (R230m) has been committed to this programme for the financial year 2012/13. RentalHousing
Honourable Premier and Speaker, the challenge of protecting and enforcing the rights, obligations of both landlords and tenants in the interests of justice and fairness, the Provincial Rental Tribunal was fairly resourced to enable it to perform its mandate. Matters or disputes are being expeditiously resolved to the benefit of all parties.
Community Residential Units
In the 2012/13 financial year, four hundred and thirty two 32) Community Residential Units will be constructed,hundred (100) of these units will be handed over to the City of Tlokwe in the second quarter. Other targeted areas for affordable rental accommodation are the City of Matlosana and Mahikeng, each with one hundred (100) units as well as Rustenburg with one hundred and thirty two (132) units,all at the cost of one hundred and two million (R102 million).
Gap Market
We assure the house that we will continue to provide those who earn too much to qualify for low cost housing and too little to qualify for bonded stock with differentiated housing options, to that extend the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) will be implemented in partnership with our delivery agents and entities such as mining houses and National Housing Finance Cooperation (NHFC). An amount of twenty three million (R23 million) will be used in this programme. As part of the progress in this regard, for the past financial year (2011/12), eighty five (85) beneficiaries were paid in Boitekong and thirty nine (39) additional houses were built in Seraleng. SpecialProgrammes
During the Mandela Week, the Department in partnership with the community commenced the construction of fifty (50) houses in Moubane wa Seolong to the most deserving recipients. Consistent with the 2030 Human Settlements vision, as well as the North West Youth in Human Settlements Summit Resolutions, we are obliged to do our level best to address the needs of young people in ensuring that they are empowered and advanced through our capital programmes and procurement decisions. The rollout of this programme should promote sustainable interventions. We will continue our commitment for women empowerment in our delivery programmes, dedicated campaign such as the Women's Month will be observed.
Service Delivery
Honourable Speaker; We know that not everybody would be pleased with the little we are doing,but let us not resort to criminal activities in order to be heard. The reported incident in the Nhole village in Taung where a Community Development Worker (CDW) stopped the operations of a contractor on site is viewed in the most serious light. This has both contractual and criminal implications as well as acts of misconduct.
The recent spate of community protests around the Province leaves a lot to be desired. We condemn that wholeheartedly and the full might of the law will take its course to all those who are found to be against the law. We know that issues are urgent and genuine, but we are also saying there is a way of dealing with such issues. The Premier has recently been across the Province with her Service Delivery driven Izimbizo's, and we must say there is a lot to be done. People need our help now, not later. We are definitely sure that the Premier can attest to that. Some of the complaints have already been responded to, some are under investigation and soon solutions will come from my office for implementation.
Consumer Education
This Programme promotes responsible home ownership, raising fraud and corruption awareness and most importantly in reducing illegal occupation of Mhouses.
Partnership efforts in delivering Human Settlements
In pursuit of key of Outcome 8 outputs that focuses on Sustainable Human Settlements and Improved Quality of Households as entailed in the Delivery Agreement signed by all relevant protocol parties, we have together with the National Department of Human Settlements and Business Sector, initiated Each One-Settle-One-Campaign. We urge business people to come on board in making sure that our people are sheltered and assist in reducing housing backlogs.
In the past budget speech we planned to terminate contracts of non-performing contractors and that exercise has commenced.
Payment of Service Providers
Honourable Speaker and Premier
Consistently, the Honourable Premier has warned and continues to emphasise that all government departments must pay service providers whose invoice are due and payable, within thirty (30) days.
Job Creation
Honourable Speaker; The President raised serious and genuine concerns about Job Creation. Our Housing Projects have created Seven Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Five (7 625) job opportunities in the 2011/12 financial year. Additional (6 984) Six Thousand Nine Hundred and Eighty Four job opportunities will be created in the financial year.
Human Resources Management
As informed by the departmental organisational restructuring processes, there is a number of unfunded critical and technical-skills posts, such as engineering, quantity surveyors and town planners. There is a need for additional funding to capacitate the departmental operational capacity to merge the Conditional Grant. Skills Development
In addressing the issue of the past where our people were deprived the opportunity of going to school due to the Apartheid system. We are making sure that we are levelling the playing fields by sending our people to school, through Adult Basic Education Training (ABET). We are advancing indeed, as we have seen the first class totalling a pass rate of 90% in subjects like Mathematics, Communications and English. That clearly shows that given a chance our people can do wonders. This programme continues.
Strategic planning and monitoring
Honourable Speaker; in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030,as developed by the National Planning Commission, particularly Chapter eight (8) on transforming Human Settlements, we will be practising a trend of integrated forward planning, effective project monitoring and management. Thus far we have managed to align our planning documents for 2012/2013 to other policy imperatives such as Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF).
We recommit ourselves to enhance evidence based monitoring of performance information, with a clear intention to address appraisal findings related to performance information.
North West Housing Corporation
The Department of Human Settlements was assigned to oversee the process of winding down the NWHC during financial year 2010/11. To date a provisional Asset Register has been compiled, comprising of thirty three thousand one and eighty (33180) stock categorised as old stock, new stock and vacant land. The NWHC has also defended favourably a case regarding a block of flats (Kagisano, Wimpy and Kamogelo) to the value of twenty two million (R22 million).
Furthermore, one thousand two hundred (1200) deeds of grants have been endorsed into full title. The institution supported municipalities with opening of the township register. Currently we are defending matters to the value of ninety million (R90 million) in various courts but most notably in Mafikeng high court where several service providers have issued summons against the Corporation.
Financial Management
Fellow citizens; it is worth mentioning that special investigating unit (SIU) has managed to recover an amount of one million five hundred and nineteen thousands four hundred and forty (R 1 519 440 million) from the housing beneficiaries who have either leased or sold their RDP houses to the other community members.
All the exceptions raised by the Auditor General have been taken seriously. We will continue to work closely with AG in assisting the Department towards the attainment of a clean audit opinion by 2014. Internal Audit Reports and remedial actions are being followed up thoroughly, and reported together with remedial actions to the issues raised by the Auditor General. We hold a firm belief and recommit ourselves to the implementation of the AG action plan which will result on the Department achieving a clean audit. On a congratulatory note, we have spent 100% of our Integrated Housing and Human Settlements Development Grant in the 2011/12 financial year.
Honourable Speaker, as table the following budget for the Department of Human Settlement Branch, do so in full cognisance that we will use it fully and adequately. However, let me highlight the fact that the continuous reduction of allocation to the Province by National Treasury poses a challenge on us in meeting our newly defined mandate.
Conclusion
Fellow patriots; we have dedicated this budget vote to Ntate Walter Sisulu, who will be turning 100 years tomorrow. In his guidance he has always cautioned us to be closer to our people, because, it is only through the people's contract with the masses who are our people that we will be able to realise the fruits of revolutionary struggle for freedom. We are ceased with the historic mandate of providing houses; security and comfort for our people and ending slums. We shall never fail the delegates of 1955 including Xhamela.
We are grateful to the broader management of the two branches of our Department and the entire staff; thanks very much for the job well done. The staff of the Private Office - you hit the ground running and we really appreciate. The management of SAPS and its workforce, as well as the broader law enforcement agencies, thank you very much. The Private Sector Business; thanks for your investment and efforts in the reconstruction and development of the North West Province. A special gratitude to the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee Hon. Wendy Matsemela and her team.
To my predecessor, MEC Mohono, thank you very much for the peaceful transition. Together with the ANC we are still engaged in the titanic battle to redress the injustices of the past. The right to shelter and security are such basic rights that bring dignity to the masses who are our mother and father. This ignoble struggle to restore dignity to our people is led by the ANC which is the leader of our society.
It is this ANC that has mandated me to prosecute this mission of human settlement and safety - thanks ANC for bestowing confidence in me and we shall not fail you. Hon. Thandi Modise, the esteemed Premier of our Province, thank you very much for showing confidence in me. To the Honourable Members of the North West Provincial Legislature, thanks for your advice and well wishes. To my entire family, thanks very much for being there.
Dear patriots, this marks the end of our budget speech.
I thank you.
