I am pleased to welcome members of the media to this press conference to mark the conclusion of my two day visit to Limpopo. I undertook this visit pursuant to the current mandate of the Department of Transport as a custodian of the Provincial Department of Roads and Transport, and its two agencies, the Road Agency Limpopo (RAL) and the Gateway International Airport (GAAL).
At the end of 2011, the National Government took a decision to place five provincial government departments in Limpopo under \administration. Section 100 (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa allow National Government to intervene in the way we did whenever there is a justifiable case to improve governance and service delivery;
The intervention came against the backdrop of governance and service delivery challenges. A stable provincial government is a central requirement in our endeavour to accelerate social and economic transformation in South Africa.
Yesterday, the MEC and I accompanied by the District Mayor and the Mayors of the local municipalities, we visited areas in the Vhembe District that were ravaged by the recent floods. Many communities have been affected. According to preliminary reports, the damage across the four districts in Limpopo are as follows:
- Vhembe: 61
- Mopani: 24
- Sekhukhune: 12
- Capricorn: 5
- Waterberg: 5
The destruction of roads and bridges has exacerbated the infrastructure backlog, considering that many communities still do not have access to adequate transport infrastructure and services.
Notwithstanding the work of the democratic government since 1994, a lot still need to be done to address the skewed distribution of resources within and between communities.
The affected communities are looking to government to address their plight. Government can only attend to these needs only if there are public servants who have their hearts and minds at the right place. These are men and women who are committed to providing services to citizens without fear or favour.
It is within this context that I take comfort to see that the intervention team of the Department of Transport, working with other stakeholders in the province, has made significant progress to stabilise the provincial department and its agencies.
Since the start of the intervention, the intervention team has introduced various measures to improve governance, financial accountability and service delivery. Where there was prima facie evidence of transgressing the law, the intervention team has referred cases to law enforcement agencies.
Disciplinary actions are also being taken against those who undermined the policies and procedures of Government, especially the Public Finance Management Act. We will also follow up on the implementation of the recommendations of the Public Protector, without further delay.
The Department of Transport will attend to the immediate corporate governance challenges at RAL and GAAL.
With regard to RAL, we will second two officials of the Department of Transport to fill the vacancies of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer on acting capacity until we appoint their permanent replacements. We will also fill the vacancies on the Board of Directors, ensuring that the board has a full complement.
The department will also undertake measures to resolve the outstanding matter regarding the Board of GAAL as soon as we have clarified the status of the Board that was dissolved by the previous MEC. Whatever we do should be informed by due processes.
As part of the effort to promote corporate governance, we will consult with the necessary role players, within the national and provincial governments, to fill the position of the Head of the Department of Roads and Transport (HOD). This will enable the provincial department to fill other vacancies.
These interventions will achieve the expected results with the cooperation of all role players, especially within the province. It is important that the effort to stabilise the province is sustained even after the departure of the intervention team.
Thank you.
For enquiries:
Tiyani Rikhotso
Cell: 083 570 1275
