Statement on the Executive Council meeting of 28 September 2016
The Limpopo Provincial Government led by Premier, Mr Chupu Stanley Mathabatha, condemns the current violence engulfed in the University of Limpopo Campus. As government led by Premier Mathabatha we believe young people have rights to protest but they must respect rights of others. We call upon parties instigating violence to seek alternative legal means to raise their concerns.
1. Intervention in the Thabazimbi Municipality
Key Executive Council Decision on Thabazimbi
The Executive Council resolved that a transactional loan amount of R25 million be provided to assist Thabazimbi Local Municipality. The money will ensure that Thabazimbi Local Municipality is on a sound financial state. The amount will be allocated to the municipality during the 2016/17 adjustment budget process to CoGHSTA for administration purposes.
The Executive Council resolved that the current intervention in Thabazimbi in terms of Section 139(1) (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa be extended for a further period ending March 2017, and that the MEC for CoGHSTA be delegated to communicate such decision to the Thabazimbi Council; and The Executive Council resolved that the Provincial Treasury, with the assistance of CoGHSTA, should make a thorough assessment on the financial viability of the identified Municipalities in the Province, and to develop a turnaround plan to improve their financial state.
2. Consolidated Infrastructure Delivery Progress Report for April – June 2016
A progress report on the Provincial Infrastructure performance for the period ending in July 2016 was presented to the Executive Council. The following were highlighted:-
Damaged schools in Vuwani, Malamulele and surrounding areas:-
The Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure (DPWRI) conducted assessment of 31 schools in Vuwani and seven schools in Malamulele. The assessment report shows that the total cost required to make the schools to function effectively is R462 828 500;
Traditional Council Offices:
Government acknowledges the critical role played by traditional leadership in development of rural communities. The DPWRI is implementing 11 Traditional Council offices. There are 6 projects expected to be completed by the end of the financial year and are at an average of 90%.
The department received a request from CoGHSTA in August 2016 to conduct Condition Assessment, the team that is auditing Infrastructure Projects as directed by EXCO will increase the scope of work to indicate all outstanding Traditional Offices to allow CoGHSTA to quantify the extent of intervention required. The task has been added to the task of auditing all infrastructure projects for department and a report will be submitted at the end of October 2016;
The Provincial Government has noted with concern the slow pace at which the refurbishments at the Matlala Hospital have been done, taking into account the fact that the matter has been raised a while back.
The Executive Council directed as follows:
- That the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure (DPWRI) should fast-track the refurbishments at the Matlala Hospital, in particular the entrance gate;
- That the DPWRI should finalise their report on condition assessment of Traditional Council offices including the Bantwana Traditional Council in Moutse East, and submit the report to CoGHSTA for further engagement with the Provincial Treasury
- On the funding requirements; and that the DPWRI should present a progress report on the repair of Hospital Laundries in the next Executive Council meeting.
3. EPWP 2016/17 – 1st Quarter Progress Report
A report providing an update on the implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in the Province for the period covering the first quarter of 2016/2017 financial year was presented to the Executive Council meeting. Overall achievement on work opportunities created in the province for the 1st quarter of the 2016/17 financial year was 15,725, which constitute ten percent (10%) against the annual target of 143,150.
The Infrastructure and Social Sectors have achieved 5% of their annual target respectively, with the Infrastructure Sector creating 3,762 work opportunities against its annual target of 74,319 while Social Sector created 1,738 work opportunities against the annual target of 27,076. The Environment & Culture sector created 1,949 work opportunities which amounted to 18% against the annual target of 10,450. The Non-state Sector created 5,139 work opportunities which amounted to 16% against the annual target of 31, 305.
a) A report on the EPWP Provincial Summit that was held during the 28 to 29 June 2016 in Polokwane was highlighted. It was reported that the Summit addressed concerns raised with regard to the under-performance by various implementing bodies and adopted key recommendations to turn around performance in those Sectors.
4. Limpopo Provincial Economic Summit: 28 October 2016
A report providing an update on the preparations of the upcoming Economic Summit that is scheduled to take place on 28 October 2016 was presented to the Executive Council meeting. Economic Summit will be held under theme: “An Industrialization Path towards creating Sustainable Jobs and Poverty Reduction for Limpopo Province”.
The report highlighted the following:
The Limpopo Provincial Economic Summit will have as its primary objectives, finalisation of the Industrialisation Strategy Implementation Action Plan (IAP), review of the infrastructure budget priorities and outlining the role of state-owned enterprises in the main-stream economy of the Province.
A Task Team comprising persons appointed to drive the Work Streams has been put in place to provide oversight on the preparations for the Economic Summit. A Think Tank Seminar on Industrialisation and the role of SoCs took place on 10 June 2016, following which a Task Team was established to put together bankable business plans for presentation to the Economic Summit.
A Sustainability Programme focussing on tourism towards ensuring bankable projects for adoption at the Economic Summit was held on the 22nd September 2016; and an outline of the programme of the Summit was presented.
5. Appointments
The Executive Council has approved the following appointments for Head of Departments:
- HOD Education: Ms. N.B. Mutheiwana;
- HOD Health Dr. N.P. Kgaphole;
- HOD Public Works, Roads & Infrastructure Mr. O.E. Mongale
- HOD Social Development Ms. M.D. Ramokgopa.
The Executive Council congratulates them and wishes them well in their new responsibilities.
6. Traditional Leadership
The Executive Council approved the recognition of Ntwampe Diphala Asnath as Acting Senior Traditional Leader of Magadimane-Ntweng Traditional Council in terms of Section 15(2) of Limpopo Traditional Leadership and Institutions Act, no.6 of 2005, with the understanding that she will not be remunerated as she is already a government employee under the Magadimane-Ntweng Traditional
Council.
7. EXCO Imbizo Mudavula: 14 October 2016
A research report on the service delivery challenges identified at the Mudavula Village in the newly established LIM 345 Municipality in anticipation of the EXCO Imbizo Programme to Mudavula on the 14th October 2016 was presented to the Executive Council meeting.
The Research Report will be circulated to all Departments so as to take appropriate actions to address service delivery issues identified.
8. Announcements
The following announcements were made:
A Provincial Day of Prayer to mark the closing of the Heritage Month Celebrations will be held on the 30th September 2016 at Christ Worship House, Shayandima in Thohoyandou.
Enquiries:
Phuti Seloba
Provincial Government Spokesperson
Cell: 082 807 0796
