Honourable Speaker,
Deputy Speaker,
Honourable Premier of the province,
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature,
Honourable Members of the Executive Council,
Executive Mayors, Speakers, Councillors and MMCs,
Representatives of the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, House of Traditional Leaders,
HoD’s, Provincial Commissioner SAPS, Regional Commander SANDF and Regional Commissioner of Correctional Services,
Provincial Director of Public Prosecutions,
Regional Head of State Security Agency,
Provincial Head of IPID,
Members of the Community Policing Boards and Forums,
Members of the Road Safety Councils and Taxi Councils,
Members of the Business Fraternity,
Representatives of NEHAWU, POPCRU and SAPU, Media Houses,
RTMC,
Office of the Auditor-General,
Comrades and Compatriots and Esteemed guests,
Good morning,
Speaker.
As that son of the soil and President of the ANC from 1952 and the first African winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961, the Isitwalandwe Chief Albert Luthuli, observed in his autobiography, Let My People Go,
“…the noisy opposition in the white press advertised the Freedom Charter more effectively... [Therefore]…If the white press objects on this scale, it [the Freedom Charter] must be a good thing!”
Indeed it is therefore appropriate that the African National Congress has declared 2015 a Year of Unity in Action to Advance Economic Freedom. For 2015 is a year that heralds the advent of the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter.
Honourable Speaker, let me start by saying that we applaud and congratulate the Premier, Honourable Ace Magashule, for standing up to Opposition parties at the debate of President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address.
We can testify here that the Opposition was the one broken on that day!
Our applause also goes to the Deputy Chairperson of the ANC in the Free State, the Executive Mayor of Mangaung.
Le ba ngwapile goed tsatsi leo… nie bietjie nie!
Of course when Mmusi Maimane quoted Alan Paton’s “Cry the Beloved Country”, he was deliberately omitting further passages, thus quoting Alan Paton out of context. The quote should read that:
“The tragedy is not that things are broken. The tragedy is that they are not mended again. The white man has broken the tribe.” (My emphasis) [p25].
Of course, this narrow notion of the South African Question as a tragedy of the destruction of tribes was debunked by the adoption of the Freedom Charter in 1955.
Having published his book in 1948, Alan Paton himself went on to become the first president of the Liberal Party in 1953, a predecessor to Maimane’s DA.
Of course, the Liberal Party withdrew from the preparatory meetings for the Congress of the People, “entirely washing their hands off, grumbling that they had only been invited in, when things had already got going!”
Maimane should rather read, “Let My People Go”, that
“Although Chief Albert Luthuli grew up under tribal conditions and surroundings, [unlike Maimane’s Alan Paton], he was uncompromising against racialism, tribalism and all forms of racial and sectional exclusiveness”, as the late Kader Asmal described him in a foreword to the book.
So Maimane o etsa musi fela, ha a na fire!
Speaker,
On 12 March 2015, President Jacob Zuma delivered his State of the Nation Address. Following the President’s State of the Nation Address, the Honourable Premier of the Province, presented his State of the Province Address on the 24th February 2015.
Anchored in the ANC’s unwavering determination to undo the injustices of the past and set South Africa onto the path for a better life for all,
Both these speeches were also explicit about the issues of safety and security, as espoused in the Freedom Charter and the founding Constitution of this country.
“All shall be equal before the law…with the police force [being] the helpers and protectors of the people”
Honourable Speaker,
On Crime,
Last year we committed ourselves to expedite the implementation of the Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy, focusing on contact and the trio crimes; violence against women, the elderly and children as well as substance abuse and gangsterism.
Today I can report that the Department had successfully engaged in a number of crime prevention programmes and projects with our partners in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS). The impact of these projects is clearly demonstrated by the downward trend suggested by the crime statistics.
Already, we can proudly announce that we were the number one Province in 2013/2014 Financial Year in terms of the reduction in crime and we will indeed uphold the number one status in 2014/15 Financial Year.
Today, I can state with confidence that, since 2013, we have given a whole new meaning to crime prevention in this Province.
Honourable Speaker,
- Contact crime has shown a remarkable decrease from 2013 by 5,1%. This includes crimes like murder, attempted murder and assault GBH.
- Sexual offences decreased by 8,3% during 2013.
- Trio crimes, which proved to be out of control over the last few years, decreased by 11,7% during 2013. In this regard, Carjacking and Truck hi-jacking decreased by 8,8% and 13.4% respectively in 2013.
- Robbery of Cash in-transit started to decrease from 2012 by 33.3% and during 2013 with 50%.
- Stock theft has also shown a decrease of 3,6% during the 2013 financial year.
- The Province has further recovered a total number of 390 firearms against a target of 305. This includes firearms reported stolen in other Provinces. An achievement of 127%.
Honourable Speaker,
We need to express our gratitude for the continuous support and assistance from The Honourable Premier and colleagues in the Executive Council. It is indeed unheard of to hear of the entire EXCO, led by the Premier joining crime operations from 2am to 6 pm.
Allow us to reflect on some of the major successes achieved for the past year:
- In April 2014, a clandestine laboratory was discovered in Dagbreek, during which drugs (CAT, Heroin, Cocaine and Mandrax) with a street value of R 3 million were confiscated.
- A second laboratory was discovered in June 2014 in Hennenman and precursor chemicals were seized as well as a large amount of CAT. Three suspects were arrested.
- Another laboratory was discovered in September 2014 near Virginia on a farm. Precursor chemicals were found and seized.
- And in yet another operation, this time in Parys, three suspects were nabbed for running a drug manufacturing laboratory.
- On 18 February 2015, thirty eight suspects were arrested and seizures to the amount of R 1, 1million were made. through OPERATION DANONE;
- A month ago drugs were confiscated in an operation conducted in Heidedal.
Illicit Mining - Through Operation SPOC, 26 members of SAPS were arrested on charges of Corruption and Theft in the Welkom area.
- In a follow up operation in July 2014, OPERATION GRANDIOUS, 30 civilian staff from various offices were arrested on charges of theft, possession and unlawful dealing in gold.
- Vehicles and other items of the suspects were seized. Total seizures were to the value of R 1, 8 million.
Human Trafficking and Prostitution:
For the past month and a half, we have turned Bloemfontein on its head.
- The SAPS has unraveled several prostitution networks of which some were discovered right on our doorstep.
- Several women have been rescued and others arrested with the alleged kingpins, amongst which were very affluent people and foreign nationals.
- During some of these operations, drugs and pornographic material were confiscated.
Our message to the “Masters” in these activities is, pack up and leave because we are breathing on your necks. To those who are victims, speak-out so that you can get the necessary assistance.
Rural Safety
A perception has been created that farm attacks have increased sharply. Indeed we have experienced a few of these incidents, but it is far from what propaganda suggests.
We have dealt a blow to those who have the evil appetite to attack farmers, thus giving expression to our Rural Safety.
For example:
- Two suspects were arrested after a farm attack in Bainsvlei where the suspects executed an Armed Robbery. All stolen items including three firearms were recovered. The suspects were convicted on attempted murder and armed robbery and sentenced to 34 years and 26 years imprisonment respectively.
- 3 suspects were arrested within four hours after a farm attack again in Bainsvlei where an elderly couple was robbed and killed. Firearms, clothing, jewellery and a vehicle were recovered.
Speaker, one murder, whether it is in the township, town or on a farm, is one murder too much.
Just as recently as Tuesday, March 17th, two bodies have been discovered at a farm next to Hertzogville where previously a body had been discovered. The farmer has already been charged with murder, possession of ammunition, a pistol and an AK47 rifle.
Our farming community needs to buy into the rural safety plan and they must take the necessary steps to safeguard their environment.
We still find instances where elderly farmers stay alone on remote farms which make them vulnerable to fall victim.
However,
- We have managed to strengthen our partnership and engaged successfully with farmers in Trompsburg, Heilbron, Sasolburg, and Botshabelo to ensure stability and cooperation.
- During the 1st week of February 2015 we decisively dealt with land invasion threats by the EFF
- We can also report that the province has conducted a rural safety consultative session during February 2015 whose outcomes and resolutions will be translated into an Implementation Programme for Provincial Rural Safety Strategy.
Department was key in leading the following activities:
- Anti-gangsterism and anti-substance abuse campaigns/activities in Bethlehem; Koffiefontein; Sasolburg; Botshabelo; Harrismith; Edenville; Kroonstad and Heidedal. Most of these activities were preceded by build-up activities in the form of police special operations where many successes were recorded.
- In collaboration with the Provincial Commissioner of Police, CPFs and the moral regeneration Movement, the Department ventured into “Izimbizo Za Madoda” to pro-actively mobilise men against crimes and violence on women and children. In this regard we had sessions in Bothaville; Kroonstad; Odendaalsrus; Bethlehem and Mangaung
- We conducted Anti-Human Trafficking activities in Harrismith (N3), Kroonstad (N1) and Ladybrand (N8) to increase law enforcement visibility. Several successes were achieved.
School Safety
In collaboration with the Department of Education, the 100 most problematic schools in the Province have been identified and interventions identified and implemented.
We need to reassure MEC Makgoe that as the Department we will continue unannounced checks at schools to seize drugs and weapons as already started in Botshabelo and Ficksburg.
Honourable Speaker;
As a department we always value the contributions made by the Community Police structures in this province. We have assisted the police with elections of CPFs and provided induction training to approximately 180 existing and new members.
The Department and Provincial Business Houses have established a Provincial Steering Committee, to facilitate business deliberations in crime prevention.
Therefore, I am confident that our crime prevention initiatives are adding value and will be sustained through-out the new financial year.
Preparations for the establishment of the Provincial Fusion Centre are on-going. The department launched a Facebook page for communities to make inputs on policing. The Facebook page enables communities to know the contact details of their Station and Cluster Commanders.
We have already received valuable comments and inputs such as: February 13 at 10:17, 2015 a comment from Riekie Mathee: “Het probleem gehad die aand op 12 Februarie, het 10111 geskakel, binne 10 minute was hulle by my. Baie dankie vir julle vinnige optrede en behulpsaamheid”.
Our Facebook address is: Department of Police, Roads and Transport SAPS.
Stock theft:
Stock theft is showing a decrease in terms of reported figures. The continuous consultation and training of members on the Rural Safety Strategy has delivered successes.
In this current financial year the SAPS has already recovered live-stock to the amount of R1 million.
This last month five men were arrested and 23 cattle recovered to the amount of R 300 thousand in the Bultfontein area.
However, our hotspots remain towns bordering the Lesotho belt.
Honourable Speaker,
- Between Virginia and Winburg, a shoot-out took place between the police and suspects during which 4 suspects died and 13 were arrested. 17 firearms of different caliber were seized and the SAPS could positively link this gang with 17 other cases throughout the country, especially Gauteng.
- Another cash-in-transit robbery took place next to Verkeerdevlei where R3.4 Million was taken from a G4S security vehicle. As a result of thorough investigation, 6 suspects were arrested of which three were G4S employees.
Honourable Speaker,
Allow me to acknowledge the good cooperation and assistance from the National Prosecuting Authority and the Judiciary. Through this collaboration many successful convictions have been achieved. To mention a few:
- A 32 year old male has been sentenced in the Harrismith Court to double life sentences and a further 60 years for murder, attempted murder and other counts.
- In Warden a suspect received 4 life sentences for four counts of rape respectively.
- In Fouriesburg, a suspect was sentenced to 5 X 20 years on four counts of rape and one count of aggravated robbery.
There are many more of these positive convictions which include more life and other heavy sentences that prove our police investigations have improved.
Honourable Speaker,
Though the killing of police members has somewhat subsided, it however remains a concern as one death of a Police Officer is one death too many. Our cooperation with the Department of Correctional Services has improved and we will continue to execute raids at prisons for weapons and contraband.
Community Safety (Neighbourhood) Patrollers
- Since September 2014, a total of 73 Neighbourhood security patrollers were appointed as part of a pilot programme. This Programme has dealt a huge blow to crime.
- These have been deployed in Bloemfontein; Bethlehem; Bothaville and Sasolburg.
- It is therefore not a surprise that we are rated No. 1 in the country for our steadfastness against crime.
Dealing with Corruption:
- During the 2014/2015 financial year, investigations have been instituted against 12 SAPS members for submitting fraudulent claims under their standing advances relating to subsistence and travelling expenses.
- In terms of PROJECT CRAZE, which focused on corruption at Calendonspoort Port of Entry, the following officials were arrested:
- Nine (9) members of the South African Police Service;
- Six (6) members of the Department of Home Affairs and
- One (1) member of the Department of Health
These members were all dismissed during their Departmental hearings and criminal cases are still pending.
Honourable Speaker,
Allow me to congratulate the Mr. K.I. Kgamanyane as the new Provincial Head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
We are also proud to announce that our Junior Police Commissioner, Boitumelo Sediti, is enrolled at the University of Cape Town, after matriculating with several distinctions at St. Andrews in December 2014.
He continues to study with the assistance of the Provincial Government. He is not here today because of his examinations.
SAPS National Excellence Awards - Provincial Winners
On 13 March 2015, the National Commissioner hosted the National Excellence Awards function where the Free State province distinguished itself by scooping the following seven awards out of the 25 national award categories:
Administration employee of the Year (Level 8-12): Col. M. Houben
- Visible Policing Employee of theYear (Level 5-7): Const. Mgogodlana
- Detective of the Year: Const. Maphisa
- Senior Manager of the Year (Level 13-15): Brig. TS Lesia
- Once more Best Police Station of the Year: Thabong Police Station (Brig. F. Muller)
- Person living with Disability Senior Admin Clerk: Mr Mavuso
- CPF of the year - Paul Roux: Mr. Maseko.
“THERE SHALL BE HOUSES, SECURITY AND COMFORT …where all have transport, roads, lighting, playing fields, crèches and social centres”
Honourable Speaker,
On roads infrastructure
In his 2013/14 injunctions, the Premier had instructed us that by the end of the 2015/2016 Financial year, the following road construction projects should have been completed:
- Memel/ Bothas Pass, Reitz/ Kestell, Zastron/ Wepener, Denneysville/ Sasolburg, Parys through Route, Clocolan/ Marquard and Kroonstad/ Vredefort. Indeed, Premier we commit ourselves to ensure that it happens.
Repair of the flood damaged roads will be completed in the Fezile Dabi and Thabo Mofutsanyana regions in 2015/16 financial year. These roads are among others:
- Bankies to Serfontein
- Robertdrif to Aansvilliers
- Barrage to Parys
- Paul Roux to Rosendal
Rehabilitation of the following roads will take place in the 2015/2016 financial year: Harrismith – Oliviershoek, Kroonstad through Route and Parys – Vredefort.
Resealing and fog spray of surfaced roads and repair of gravel roads is being done in all five districts.
Upgrading of roads from gravel to paved is being done under EPWP Labour Intensive Construction, creating more than
2 000 job opportunities from the following infrastructure projects:
- Vrede Transport Route
- Thaba-Nchu Transport Route
- QwaQwa Transport Route ( Bluegumbosch)
- Botshabelo Transport Route
- Route 4 in Qwaqwa
- Monontsha Border Pass Route
- Contractor Development Programme.
The Province has also allocated R 100 million from the Department of Police, Roads and Transport from which Contractor Development Programme Contractors will benefit from. Twenty (20) additional contractors will be appointed on the Contractor Development Programme.
The department will implement the Grass Cutting SMME Project. Preference will be given to women and youth owned companies on the Grass Cutting Project. The department will be donating 35 Bakkies and 140 Weed Eaters to the Grass Cutting Project.
Alternative Pothole Patching and Regravelling programmes will continue in the 2015/2016 financial year. From infrastructure projects 4555 job opportunities have been created to date. 147 Small contractors have been appointed on the Departments Infrastructure projects for 2014/15 financial year.
Honourable Speaker,
TRANSPORT
Migration of Learner Transport
The Executive Council has resolved that the Learner Transport services must migrate to the Department of Police, Roads and Transport with effect from 1 April 2015. A Task Team comprising of the Departments of Police, Roads and Transport, Education and Treasury has been formed to ensure a smooth transition of the Learner Transport migration.
In keeping with the resolution, the department will extend the brief of the subsidized bus services monitoring contract to include monitoring of learner transport services in the province. The advantage of the monitoring is that for the first time, the Province will be having the same monitoring regime for all subsidized services.
The Task Team and the monitoring team will be doing the following as an endeavour to stabilize learner transport services in the province:
- Work on verification of the following:
- Length of the contracted routes
- Location of schools and hostels as well as capacities thereof;
- Work on the integration Of Non-Motorized Transport with subsidised learner transport services
- Establish the remuneration model in order to keep within the budget and also get value for money.
- After compilation, the above information will be plotted on a Geographic Information System (GIS) for ease of reference.
Realizing that the Learner Transport contract will expire on March 31, 2015, the initial contract will be extended on month-to-month basis to avoid a learner transport blackout.
Honourable Speaker,
We are aware of tendencies to destabilize the taxi industry around the border areas and currently in the Lejweleputswa region by the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) and the EFF. We implore the NTA to stick to business and leave opportunistic political parasites from harming their business.
Transport Infrastructure Operations
Honourable Speaker,
Last year the department in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority was able to facilitate the awarding of bursaries to previously disadvantaged Free Staters.
Lindokuhle Nzama from here in Bloemfontein is enrolled to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, whilst Orapeleng Gaebee is enrolled to study as a pilot.
Deliberations around the N8 Rail Link Revitalisation, as part of the broader N8 Corridor Development Project, are back on track and a Service Provider has been appointed to undertake a feasibility study.
Honourable Speaker,
We are pleased to report that the extension of the Manganese Packaging Facility at the Transwerk-site in Bloemfontein has led to the creation of more opportunities for SMME truck-owners in partnership with Women in Transport and Logistics. The spin-off of this project is 100 direct and 50 indirect job-opportunities.
The establishment of a container roll-out in Maluti-a-Phofung has commenced in Qwa-Qwa to enable commodity storage. This project created 6 direct and 10 indirect job opportunities.
In line with the directive of the Honourable Premier during the State of the Province Address, a partnership has been established between the Province, SANRAL and the National Department of Transport to ensure that the roll out of the N3 development does not affect business and the community of Harrismith negatively.
Subsequent to this partnership all activities on the Warden- van Reenen stretch of road will be consulted with the Province. The joint team is led by Minister Dipuo Peters and myself.
Progress on the Harrismith Gateway Development is still continuing, forming part of the wider SEZ development. A roll-out of containers which will form part of the hub has begun in Qwa-Qwa in partnership with the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality.
Bus Transformation
Honourable Speaker,
Having finalized the transformation of Maluti Bus Services, I need to place on record that the Itumele Bus Lines (IBL) will be finalized in the 2015/2016 financial year.
This transformation will indeed take into account the previously disadvantaged, such as the taxis, small bus operators and the employees.
Road Safety
As the Honourable Premier stated, the selection of the 900 Learner Drivers, who are unemployed matriculants, has been finalized and training started on the 19th February 2015.
The simulators which will be utilized during the training and the delivery of 25 training vehicles, made available by the Department, are in the process of being distributed to the training venues.
Road Safety Awareness
In conjunction with Provincial Departments and local municipalities, Bill Boards displaying road safety messages shall be erected in all municipalities including major stadiums in the Province.
The objective is to increase road safety awareness among road users.
Our partnership with the Provincial Taxi Council continues through Operation Hlokomela.
Research and surveys will be embarked on in all Districts of the Province, as part of our Road Safety Audit. The Audit seeks to investigate accident hot spots and areas of road safety concern which require funding in addressing road carnage.
This exercise will culminate into the fulfilment of the United Nations’ Global Road Safety Decade of Action, which started in 2011 and ends in 2020. All government employees who use government vehicles and violate road rules and are caught shall be subjected to disciplinary proceedings which may culminate into dismissals.
Similarly, all employees of the Provincial Government will from today be advised against using registration numbers of other provinces.
Rural School Outreach Programme
As part of its Rural Scholar Outreach Programme, the Department in cooperation with the Department of Education and Road Traffic Management Corporation has issued full school uniform to learners in Groot Rietvlei, Seotlo, Anton Lambede and Reaitumela Schools.
To date, a total of 1473 learners have benefited from this programme. At the same time, road safety education programmes are conducted in these and other schools.
Honourable Speaker,
On Traffic Management
During the 2014/15 financial year, the Department achievements the following in order to enhance service delivery:
- 154 Traffic Trainees were appointed to enhance Road Traffic Law Enforcement. These trainees are undergoing 18 months training with a completion date of December 2015.
- 15 Traffic vehicles have been equipped with Moving Violation Recording (MVR) systems, and 31 officers have undergone utilization training in March 2015.
- These vehicles are deployed strategically on the following roads: N1, N3, N6, N8, R 30, ZR Mahabane, R 59, R 57 & N 5.
- Testing Stations are currently undergoing upgrade and maintenance, to conduct testing on roadworthiness of vehicles.
- The following stations have been completed and are operational: Heilbron, Winburg, Bloemfontein (Lengau), Bethlehem, Marqaurd, Parys, Welkom and Trompsburg. All these upgrades are in line with the South African National Standards (SANS) requirements and standards for Vehicle Testing Stations.
- We must indicate that the Virginia Testing Centre has been closed and it is under renovation and upgrading; it was Grade “ D “ for VTC and will be upgraded to Grade “ B “ to test all types of vehicles.
- Management Representatives will be subjected to a 5 day training course on Quality Assurance.
- The 2014/15 festive season has seen a reduction of 17% in fatal crashes.
- Since October 2014, a number of 326 drivers were arrested for speeding.
- 5945 speed operations were conducted for the same period.
- The purchasing of all necessary law enforcement equipment is underway including new road block trailers.
- We are also replacing some traffic vehicles with high performance vehicles; this will enhance our law enforcement functions and performance.
Appointment of Traffic Wardens
225 Traffic Wardens will be appointed in all districts, starting 01 April 2015. Currently the Department is busy with the vetting and screening process for all the interviewed candidates.
Honourable Speaker,
CORPORATE SERVICES
In the 2013/2014 Financial Year the vacancy rate was at 46% and the Department appointed in total 217 officials of which 121 are females. Eight SMS members were appointed out of which four are females.
I am pleased to report that the vacancy rate has reduced to 21.4%. 60 employees have been promoted internally. This includes Engineers Grade A, Provincial Controllers, and Training Facilitators. The Department has finalised the identification of all critical vacant posts. SMS members are undergoing a competency assessment to identify skills gaps.
A Service Provider has been appointed that will facilitate training and skilling of employees of the Department. This will cost R10 million. The induction programme of all newly appointed employees is conducted as a practice. The department is busy conducting training on the code of conduct in the public service.
Honourable Speaker,
On Fleet Management
The Free State Fleet Management entity has once more served the Free State Provincial Government with distinction.
The entity did not only perform their core function with excellence but also assisted the Department with the procurement of vehicles and equipment for a grass cutting project that will be launched during the 2015/16 financial year.
The entity also assisted the Department with the rejuvenation of second hand vehicles that will be used for the 900 Learner Driver Training Programme.
This project is a joint initiative between the Department of Police, Roads and Transport and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC). The entity has also assisted with town cleaning projects in Setsoto and Metsimaholo Municipalities.
In going forward it is envisaged that the entity will continue to renew the fleet in order to ensure that the Free State Provincial Government executes its mandate.
The entity will also work hand in hand with the Department of Health to investigate the possibility of implementing a different mode of transport in the Planned Patient Transport System in an effort to cut on existing expenditure.
Honourable Speaker, the ENTITY will also help the Department to obtain its own chopper.
BUDGET ALLOCATION 2015/2016
The department obtained an unqualified Audit Opinion with emphasis of matters for the 2013/14 financial year.
However, the department is optimistic that it will achieve a clean audit for the financial year 2014/15. 3 years ago we undertook to turn this department into a Department of Choice. On-going reports from the Auditor-General already show that we are not far from achieving this Goal.
Honourable Speaker,
The department continues to be the number one contributor of own revenue in the province and this revenue is generated from rendering a number of services to the public. The revenue target for the 2014/15 financial year was increased from R557 million to R581 million. So far R538 million which constitutes 92.43% of the target has been achieved.
The Annual target for debt collection is R40 million.
The transfer of Section 42 Immovable assets was finalised in October 2014 from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
The number of immovable assets transferred is as follows:
- 5 973 Roads
- 1 237 Bridges
- 5 401 Quarries
The department will be audited on these assets for the first time in the financial year 2014/15. As a whole, the Budget provided to the department amounts to R2.391 billion for the 2015/16 financial year.
- The Equitable Share Allocation increased by 0.46% amounting to R591 million.
- R1 million and R4 million is earmarked for the Fusion Centre project and Biometrics & CCTV cameras respectively.
- The Learner Transport function has been allocated R40 million.
- The Infrastructure Enhancement Allocation increased by 33.59% amounting to R385 million.
- The Provincial Road Maintenance Grant decreased by 9.40% to the amount of R1.142 billion.
- The Conditional Grant will be utilized to improve the road conditions in the Free State Province.
- The Public Transport Operations Grant has increased by 2.2% to R221 million. This reflects a total decrease of the departmental budget allocation of 1.56% amounting to R2.391 billion.
In conclusion Speaker, I thank the Premier and the chairperson of the ANC and my colleagues in the Executive for the support they continue giving me during trying times.
I also thank the Head of the Department, the Provincial Commissioner, the Management of our department and that of SAPS for their sterling work.
Special thanks to my family for their continued support in the duties that our glorious movement has entrusted us.
As Chief Albert Luthuli put it:
“We see no need to admit the failure of people of different races to live together in harmony – whereas the nationalist (read Opposition) is an advertisement of their pessimism and defeat. They have given up hope of even trying to meet with and live with their neighbor. That hopelessness is suicide. I understand white fears of being “swamped” and surrendering or sharing their privileges. At the same time, I do not for a moment entertain the idea of Africans turning into race oppressors. The Master Race concept is not ours.”
Speaker, we hereby table the Budget of the Department for 2015/16.
Ke ya leboha!
Baie dankie!
I thank you!
