Budget vote speech for the Department of Police, Roads and Transport (Vote 10) delivered by the Member of Executive Council, Hon. William Bulwane, Venue: The Legislature, 4th Raadsaal, Bloemfontein Date: 07 April 2022
Hon. Speaker,
Hon. Premier of the Free State Province Hon. Minister of Transport
Hon. Members of the Executive Council
Hon. Members of the Free State Provincial Legislature
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee to which we report, Hon Moleleki and Hon Mashinini, the Office of The Premier and Legislature
The Chairpersons and Free State House of Traditional Leaders (Marena) Leadership of the ANC
Executive Mayors, Mayor of all councillors Director General
All HoD’s present and support staff from different departments
The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant-General Baile Motswenyane Brigdier-General Molefi Hlalele from the SANDF
Regional Commissioner of Correctional Services, Ms. S Moodley Regional Head of State Security Agency
Provincial Head of the IPID Adv. Ontong
Road Accident Fund Regional Manager Ms Talitha Janse Van Rensburg The CEO of the RTMC: Adv. Makhosini Msibi
Office of Auditor General
President of SANTACO Mr. P. Taaibosch
Provincial Taxi Council Chairperson, Mr. Mthimkhulu Members of the Provincial Taxi Councils
Members of the Road Safety Forum Members of the Community Policing Forums Members of the Business Fraternity Religious leaders
Representatives of all labour organisations,
Media Houses
All our esteemed guests Viewers and Listeners
Baahi ba Foreistata kaofela dumelang!! Molweni! Goeie Dag!
Honourable Speaker, the 1652 European settlers led by Jan van Riebeeck marked the beginning of the problems in the African soil. This budget vote sits exactly a day after the arrival of the settlers in the Cape land.
However, we salute the activists that contributed and fought relentlessly in the People Protest Day, a defiance campaign against the celebration of Jan van Riebeeck Day.
A day that brought nothing than misery, slavery, pain, broke and torn apart African families. The beginning of our people being dispossessed land through been requested written title deeds. When our people lived in peace knowing exactly which part of the land belongs to who.
The People's Protest Day was made up of activists coming from ANC, SACP, SAIC and COD under what was referred to as Joint Planning Council.
We thank the ANC democratic government when it came into power in 1994, it abolished the Jan van Riebeeck public holiday which later was changed to Founders’ Day.
Honourable Speaker, again yesterday it was a day in our lives where we remember a life of a child of a domestic worker, a young, militant, and radical activist Cde Solomon Mahlangu who was hanged by the colonial apartheid regime.
An activist that was fighting for equal representation, freedom, and rights of the people. His spirit continues to live amongst ourselves. We have attained political freedom and the fight for economic freedom is continuing, till our people have the land and they participate in the mainstream economy fully.
During this Freedom month we also salute Comrade Charlotte Makgomo Maxeke who was born this month and those who passed on this month Comrade Chris Hani, Comrade Mama Winnie Mandela and Comrade Oliver Reginald Tambo including all comrades and activists who contributed into the collapse of the colonial apartheid regime
We welcome the termination of the National State of Disaster in response to COVID19 pandemic by the President on the 4th April 2022, this is a step towards reclaiming normality in our lives. We call on people of the Free State to continue with measures to protect themselves as outlined by the President and we respect all those who have fallen in the battle line in a war against this pandemic.
The Department of Police Roads and Transport deals with the unintended consequences that continued to have devastating effects on our Provincial Road network due to heavy rains. We indeed understand the frustrations that the road users in general and the farmers in particular are going through. As we plan and try to expand our provincial tarred road network with new projects, rain on the other hand takes us two steps backward by eroding some of the roads that were supposed to, under normal circumstances, have been still intact.
Despite this, as a department, we remain committed to ensuring we deliver on our mandate on road safety, crime prevention, public transport, and service delivery to the people of Free State.
ROADS INFRASTRUCTURE
Honourable speaker
On behalf of the Department of Police, Roads and Transport, I would like to take this opportunity to once more acknowledge the challenges faced by the Province regarding aging roads infrastructure and the impact of severe flooding experienced in the recent past months. The flooding resulted in severe pothole forming, slippages and washing away of pipes and culverts on some of the roads.
Roads most affected are:
• R30: Allanridge to Bothaville
• R711: Fouriesburg to Clarens
• R74: Oliviershoek Pass
Temporary measures are in place at the R30 to ensure road-user safety, but driver behaviour is still contributing to incidents and accidents at the work site.
On the R711 and R74, assessments are underway with temporary traffic accommodation to ensure road-user safety. However, driver behaviour is still an attribute which contributes to incidents and accidents at the respective areas.
Speaker, the Department remains committed to the inclusion of the previously disadvantaged market in the economy of the country and is therefore unapologetic about Radical Economic Transformation and inclusion of the previously marginalised.
Historically, the Department has demonstrated its efforts in gradually ensuring that the previously marginalised, youth and women are moved to the centre of our economic agenda, and they are benefitting from sub-contracting opportunities. Bo Mme le batjha ba hlokile menyetla e tjena ka dilemo tsa ho feta, jwale ke nako ya bona yah o hola industrering tse tsebahalang le boitsebelo jwa bo Ntate feela. Pele e yang pele!
During the 2021/22 financial year, the Department terminated five (5) capital projects and two maintenance projects. In December, emergency procurement was finalized to appoint 5 replacement contractors on the capital projects. Work has already commenced on the respective work sites.
The terminations were in some cases, because of poor performance by contractors and subsequently resulted in road-user dissatisfaction. Some of the matters are currently sub-judicaé. To mitigate the challenges, the Department launched parallel processes and acted swiftly to appoint alternative service providers to complete the outstanding works.
The Department remains committed to executing good quality work and apologises unconditionally for the discomfort experienced by road users and communities surrounding these projects. Baahi ba Freistata re kopa tshwarelo. Re ineleng matsho metsing. Re se le tshebetsong ho lokisa selemo sena se qhalang sa 2022/23.
As a mitigating measure, contractors were appointed to the following five capital projects, at a budget totalling R285 million set aside for 2022/23 financial year:
• Reitz – Tweeling
• Tweeling – Frankfort
• Dewetsdorp - Wepener
• Schonkenville - Koppies
• Jim Fouché - Deneysville
From the seven terminated projects, the remaining two maintenance projects are planned to be executed within the 2022/23 financial year:
• Road Signs
• Road Safety Audits
The following are some of the minor road infrastructure upgrade projects that have reached practical completion stage through EPWP guidelines with our Contractor Development Programme and these projects are ready to be launched in the 2022/23 financial:
• Tweeling Access Route (Phase 3)
• Clocolan (Phase 2)
• Arlington (Phase 2)
• Edenville access (Phase 2)
• Bultfontein Access Route (Phase 2)
• Oppermans Access Route (Phase 2)
• Springfontein Access Route (Phase 1)
• Hertzogville Access Route (Phase 1)
• Memel Access Route (Phase 2)
• Zastron Access Route
The above were part of the Township Revitalisation Initiative, which totals 11 massification projects in the 2021/22 financial year, R91 million was spend, with the aim of upgrading township and rural access roads and maximizing job creation.
However, only Warden is yet to be completed in the 2022/23 financial at a budget of
R2 million.
In addition, the following major capital projects have been completed in the 2021/22 financial year and are now on the defect liability period, which is still the responsibility of the contractor. A total of R166 million was spent and these projects are ready to be launched:
• Vredefort – Viljoenskroon
• Wesselsbron - Hoopstad
• Sasolburg - Heilbron (Phase 1)
• Winburg - Marquard
• Thaba Nchu Access Road (Phase 7)
Re thabela ho le tsebisa hore selemo se fitileng sa ditjhelete, lefapha le tswelwetse pele ka ho holisa mesebetsi e 4837, ka bo mme ba le 2390, le batjha ba le 2846.
During the 2021/22 financial year, infrastructure projects empowered SMME’s and brought skills development to local communities and furthermore produced better road infrastructure and increased access to basic services. These initiatives were implemented in close collaboration with Local Municipalities. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 71 SMMEs which graduated under the Contractor Development Programme.
A similar approach will be followed in the 2022/23 financial year, and due to more conventional projects being implemented, the job creation target has been set at 3 800.
The following projects that carry a combined budget of R99 million are ongoing from previous financial years and will be completed in the 2022/23 financial year:
• Kroonstad – Viljoenskroon will be completed by end of April 2022
• Ventersburg-Senekal Will be completed in May 2022
• Kroonstad – Steynsrus will be completed November 2022
Several projects became a subject of concern in terms of their on-schedule implementation and unfortunately had to be deferred to outer years due to budget reprioritisation and the failure to meet the required timelines. These projects will only be implemented in the 2022/23 financial year. Procurement is already at an advanced stage and soon contractors will be appointed on both the upgrade and special maintenance programme at a combined budget of R190 million for 2022/23:
• Koffiefontein - Luckhoff - Havenga Bridge
• Kroonstad - Hennenman – Virginia
• Cornelia-Villiers
• The Riet River Bridge (Koffiefontein)
• Harrismith Route Project (SEZ) (Phase 2: Mabate)
• A133 Meloding, Virginia (Phase 4)
Furthermore, the Department is constantly heeding the requests of the communities, and has, amongst others, prioritised the following road rehabilitation projects for the 2022/23:
• R26: Bethlem – Ficksburg - Ladybrand
• R70: Senekal-Ficksburg
• Bloemhof - Hoopstad (Phase 2)
We continue to value the significance of up-keep and maintenance of our gravel roads across the board hence the allocation for re-gravelling and blading in the 2022/23 financial year is R75 million with a target of re-gravelling approximately 100km and 40 000 kilometres for blading. Baahi ba Thusong Trust, Sannospos, re le lefapha re utlwile sello sa lona ka mmila wa S420, mme re tshepisa hore bothata ba lona ka yona bo tla rarabolwa lemong sena se thwasang sa 2022/23. Die departement neem ook kennis van die benarde posisie waarin sommige boere in ons provinsie hul bevind ná die oorvloedige reën in Desember. Ons sal gedurende die nuwe finansiële jaar die gemeenskappe wat hierdeur geraak is, help en die paaie in hul omgewing deur middel van ons departementele programme herstel en verbeter.
As part of our proactive planning cycle, we have allocated R 130 million for road asset management systems. Hona bakeng sa ho hlokomela le ho sireletsa mebila ya Foreistata ka kakaretso.
Honourable Speaker, we would like to announce that the department has decided to phase out the Contractor Development Programme (CDP) in phases. This is due to the substandard work that we have observed across the province.
Therefore, we will start the recitation of PAWU during 2022/23 in phases, to create jobs for road rehabilitation and routine maintenance. Also, we also will start a process to revive road training centre in Kroonstad, this centre offers training for machine operators such as Graders, Bulldozers etc and it also train road aid workers including engineers.
In line with upholding the pledge that we have signed as Members of the Executive Council (MEC’s) across issues of compliance, expenditure and financial performance. The department will be introducing the Project Management Unit (PMU) during the 2022/23 financial year.
This unit will ensure the curbing of annual unspent grants that return to National Treasury and rollovers.
TRANSPORT OPERATIONS
Honourable Speaker, this year under the Rural and Urban Transport Planning, the department will focus on outcomes rather than compliance alone. The trend is towards a district-based service delivery model with a focus on the following towns: Kopanong, Mantsopa, and Setsoto. Our aim is to improve public transportation service and facilities by focusing on the most efficient mode of transportation and our priority to improve public transport in the municipalities in the 2022/23.
Speaker, it is important to note that in South Africa, Subsidised Public Transport is the most popular mode of transportation. Although public transport is required for smooth operation, it remains exposed and vulnerable in the event of any turbulence in the economic activities. Operators in the industry have suffered massive financial losses because of the effects caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. We remain committed to subsidising passengers in Maluti-a-Phofung, Dihlabeng, Masilonyana, and Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in 2022/23. As amitigation, the taxi industry is also set to benefit from the National Department of Transport's one-time ex gratia payment under the Taxi Relief Fund, and the department encourages operators to register online in order to benefit from this programme. Bo rathepa ba lahlehetswe haholo, ka baka leo mmuso o ikemiseditse hore o thuse borathepa ba rona nakong ena e thata.
The Shova Kalula programme will continue to play an important role in supporting learner transportation in rural areas. The program aims to open doors to learning and provide access to high-quality education. In the 2021/22 financial year, we distributed 750 bicycles to students in rural areas across the province and the target for 2022/23 is 600 bicycles.
Operator Licensing Board and Permits
Honourable Speaker, the Department held a taxi Indaba in 2020. Furthering the commitments made at the Taxi Indaba, the process of electing new leadership at association, regional and provincial levels have been concluded. The planned follow- up Indaba, envisioned for October 2022 will continue to evaluate the resolutions of the last Indaba, and how the newly elected leadership can ensure their implementation. The department is in the process of appointing a new Operating Licencing Board to address backlogs associated with application and renewal of permits. The new board will be appointed by end of June 2022.
Transport Regulation
Honourable Speaker,
It is important to note that our traffic law enforcement officers continue to put their lives on the line in a course to ensure the safe and free flow of traffic to prevent road crashes and fatalities on our roads, this is despite the challenging circumstances as a result of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic. The 2021/22 financial year unfortunately yielded a 14% increase of fatalities during the Festive Season period.
Speaker, Honourable Premier of the Free State Mme Sefora Ntombela, during the State of the Province Address mentioned that ‘‘ Appointment of forty additional traffic officers will be finalised in this financial year 2022/23’’. This additional appointment of 40 traffic officers will address the skills shortages while simultaneously contributing towards the ever urgent jobs creation priority.This recruitment process and appointments will be given urgent attention and will certainly go a long way in supplementing our efforts to reduce road crashes and fatalities.
The department will embark with its continuous service delivery improvement plan by upgrading 10 more provincial testing stations during the 2022/23 financial year, including maintenance and calibration of testing stations equipment.
As a department we welcome the extension of driver licence renewals to the 15th of April 2022. We will be working closely with National department of Transport and RTMC to ensure that all motorists that are due for driver licence renewals, renew in numbers.
To address the unimpressive conditions at our Registration Authorities, the Department will be appointing 15 contractors under Vegetation Control to maintain cleanliness at Registration Authorities and Testing Stations in the 2022/23 financial year. The project is specifically aimed at empowering emerging contractor companies owned by women, youths and people with disabilities. This initiative will ensure economic transformation and job creation.
SAFER COMMUNITIES
Honourable Speaker
Despite Government‘s notable efforts to change the lives of the communities for the better, crime continue to bedevil our society. Criminals tend to take advantage of any situation and employ creative means to pursue their nefarious and criminal agenda. This was the case during the height of Covid-19 pandemic. At the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 the Province was spared from spikes of criminal activity as was shown by the statistics at the time. However, with time, as Government was trying to open up the economy in order to improve livelihoods, we witnessed an uncommon rise in the Provincial crime stats, especially in the first two quarters of the financial year. I am however pleased to announce that the situation changed for the better when the third quarter crime stats were presented. The Province returned back to its trajectory of downward spiral in most of the crime categories. The Province was one of the two Provinces that recorded a decline on Murder whilst the entire Country witnessed a significant increase in this category of crime.
The latest available crime statistics for the Free State, covering the period October to December 2021/2022 when compared the statistics for the same period of the previous year (October to December 2020-2021), the following trends are observed:
All categories of contact crimes have decreased, except for Common assault that has increased with1.2 % or 49 cases from 4005 cases to 4054 cases. Notably murder has decreased with minus 21.1% (- 65 cases) and sexual offences with – 8.2 % (82 cases). Under the sub-category of aggravated robbery, carjacking decreased with 3 counts from 60 to 57; robbery at residential premises decreased with -11.9%; however, robbery at non-residential premises increased with 7.7% and robbery of cash in transit increased with 2 counts from 0 to 2.
Both contact-related crimes increased. Arson increased from 40 to 46 (6 cases) and malicious damage to property increased with 1.9%. Property-related crimes have all shown a decrease except for burglary at residential premises that increased with 0.2% (7 cases).
Honourable Speaker: The Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster was tasked in 2019 to deal with illicit mining in Lejweleputswa which was contributing to the high numbers of murders in the Province and also contributing to a number of other types of crimes.
Today I am pleased to announce that the multidisciplinary approach which has been employed to deal with the challenge is paying dividends. The operation that started in July 2019, have led to the identification and profiling of at least 10 Kingpins and their secondary targets and the ultimate arrest of 8 kingpins. During the arrests of kingpins, 26 luxury vehicles, were confiscated. Re sebeletsa ho ba Freistata ee bolokehileng bakeng sa baahi ba yona!
The project is considered a huge success in the total of 3 954 arrests were affected which included 1 089 SA Citizens, 1 412 Lesotho Nationals, 422 Mozambique Nationals, 80 from Malawi, 15 from Nigeria, 6 from Congo and 13 from Ghana, 53 Mine Employees, 16 Mine Contractors, 34 Mine Security personnel, 3 SAPS Members and 4 SANDF Members. The following were also recovered, Gold Bearing Material (GBM) to the value of R6 608(Mil), R3 933(Mil) Cash, 12 explosives, 91 firearms, 1 370 Ammunition, 241 Cellphones and 46 vehicles.
Honourable Members: Although Crime Prevention Awareness Programmes that required public participation were adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department did not deter and continued to ensure that these programmes continue to fulfil their purpose.
These programmes are informed by Pillar 3 of the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) which propagates public education that is geared towards dissemination of messages that sensitises the communities about the root causes of crime and the effects thereof.
Honourable members, we will all recall that the Province encountered an unfortunate situation during the 2020-21 financial year, which was the killing of a young farm manager in Paul Roux. The Political intervention at the time led to the establishment of the Rural Safety Task Teams whose efforts have begun to bear fruits. Amongst the successes of the Task Teams, are the arrests of perpetrators of stock theft which include 5 police officers who are a disgrace to the badge. As part of implementing the SAPS Rural Safety Strategy, WhatsApp Groups were established as multi-disciplinary group. The group includes the DPC’s, DC, Rural Safety Coordinators at station level, Stock Theft Units from both Lesotho and from the Free State, SANDF, Farmers as well as the Office of the MEC Police Road and Transport. In addition, the office of the Deputy Provincial Commissioner Crime Detection is prioritising the investigation of cases emanating from the rural areas. This has resulted to a situation where out of the 447 cases reported for the period April 2021 to date, 872 suspects have been arrested.
To further enhance Rural Safety efforts the MEC has started a programme where he meets with emerging and established farmers under one roof to brainstorm on matters that affect them and jointly agree on possible solutions. The first stop was in Phuthaditjhaba and the next engagements will be in Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo respectively.
Honourable members, the Department committed during the previous Budget Vote speech that we will intensify the fight against Gender Based Violence and Femicide as was declared as the second pandemic by the President. To this effect, we continued to audit Police Stations to establish their level of compliance regarding the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act (DVA).
Domestic Violence Act (DVA) Audits and Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) Assessments were conducted during the period under review. The audits revealed various levels of compliance and where non-compliance was identified, this was brought to the attention of Provincial Management for further action.
In as far as the promise to improve the functionality of Victim Friendly Rooms was concerned; we indeed took stock of the number of the existing Victim Friendly Rooms at Police Stations as promised in the previous Budget Vote Speech. To date 111 Police Stations were visited to assess VFRs. The exercise together with information sourced from SAPS Head Office revealed that, out of the 111 Police Stations in the Province, only 86 had Victim Friendly Rooms and 25 were without. The SAPS in the Province has put aside about two million rands to attend to the challenges of the existing VFRs, a process which is currently underway, and the next focus will be on the 25 Police Stations that do not have the VFRs. It is anticipated that all 111 Police Stations should have functional Victim Friendly Rooms Moving forward.
During a GBVF Indaba held in May 2021 a Provincial Task Team was established in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority. As part of the achievements on the work around GBVF, the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units in the Province have secured the following sentences for crime committed against women and children for the reporting period, 19 suspects were sentenced to life imprisonment and there were 33 counts of suspects imprisoned for 20 years and above. These convictions were for charges of rape, housebreaking and rape as well as rape and assault with the intent to cause grievously body harm 16 Days of Activism were commemorated at Bloemspruit and Soutpan. The events were conducted within the context of National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide.The Bloemspruit policing precinct was particularly chosen because the precinct was amongst the top 30 Police Stations in the country that are contributing to the gender-based violence scourge. The event was hosted in partnership with the other stakeholders, both governmental and non-governmental and addressed all aspects of GBVF.
Honourable Speaker, I must take the opportunity to commend the Bloemspruit Gender Based Forum and all its affiliates for the job well done in ensuring that gender-based violence activities are highlighted. The Setshabelo Family and Child Services which is a Non-Profit Organisation have adopted three police stations in the name of Bloemspruit, Botshabelo and Boithuso. This NPO has contributed to the refurbishment of the Victim Friendly Room at Bloemspruit and donated therapeutic material for all police stations. There is a plan to extend their contribution to other police stations where there is a need. We would like to really register our sincere gratitude and equally make the clarion call to all to emulate these NPOs that have demonstrated selflessness, commitment, and care for society.
Honourable members will recall that one of the key challenges to policing is lack of human resources. As a result of COVID-19, several recruitment processes were halted. We are However proud to report that in addressing human resources challenges the recruitment processes were reopened and will be finalised as per the number of posts allocated below as follows: Project Reservists = 448 posts, Project 2019/2020 = 547 posts, Project Graduates = 16 posts. With regard to Re-enlistment, allocation will be subject to the successful applications approved by Head Office.
FLEET MANAGEMENT TRADING ENTITY
Honourable Speaker
The Department is proud to announce that the Fleet Management Trading Entity achieved a clean audit for the 2020/21 financial year.
The entity also continues to heed calls for assistance from municipalities and departments wherein it harnesses its vast pool of expertise and mobilising its Road Building Equipment (RBE) for special projects across the Province. These projects include disaster relief efforts (recent floods), deployment of water-tankers in drought-stricken areas, creation of furrows in rural arears for flood water diversion, eradication of illegal dumping sites in townships across the province and re- gravelling and gravelling of routes where collaboration with municipalities is improving the lives of people in townships and rural area.
Honourable members, a gap has been identified in the automotive industry wherein FET College graduates require training and experience to enhance their employability. As such, our Fleet Management Trading Entity has embarked on an ongoing apprenticeship training program of 23 artisans that are currently awaiting their trade test.
In the 2022/23 financial year the Fleet Technical Centre will be fully accredited by the Motor Engineering Retail Seta (MERSETA) and will target and recruit 100 learners from various TVET colleges throughout the Province
The Entity is also intending to start its own in-house roadside assistance service in the 2022/23 financial year. This will reduce costs of outsourcing this service currently being undertaken by external service providers.
Honourable Speaker, it is worth noting as well that the Department has managed to maintain compliance, in accord with the Executive Council, with respect to National Treasury’s guidelines on the prescribed or capped purchase value when procuring official vehicles for Executing Authorities and similar positions.
In an effort to reduce municipal debt at the entity, Honourable speaker, the department will in the new financial year only rent out vehicles to municipalities and will no longer issue petrol cards to all our clients.
BUDGET ALLOCATION 2022/23
Honourable Members,
The total budget allocated to the Department for 2022/23 Financial Year is R2.793 billion and it is broken down as follows:
• Equitable share allocation including own revenue is R1.140 billion, which will be utilised towards the operational costs of the Department and R283 million budget of it will be directed to Infrastructure Enhancement Allocation.
• Provincial Road Maintenance Grant is allocated R1.337 billion which is a decrease of 7.3% as compared to the 2021/22 financial allocation.
• The Public Transport Operations Grant has decreased by 0.4% to R312 million.
Then, the revenue target set for the Department amounts to R830 million for the 2022/23 financial year which is an increase of R16.234million as compared to the 2021/22 financial year.
So far, R794 million of the target set for the 2021/22 financial year has been collected. That is an equivalence of 97.5% of the target set.
CONCLUSION
We are engaged in a revolutionary war and this revolutionary war depends on the masses of our people. These masses are sincerely committed to support and wage this war side by side with us for a better life for all.
Let me express my word of appreciation to the leadership collective of the ANC and its Alliance for always giving full support and guidance to the work I am deployed to execute.
Honourable Premier Sisi Ntombela and my colleagues in the Executive Council, your support is always appreciated.
The Acting Head of Department, Mr. Robinson Thekiso and all departmental employees, your dedication towards carrying out departmental work cannot go unnoticed, especially under these difficult circumstances.
I wish to further extend my appreciation and support to Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane and the collective for their hard work and dedication in this province.
Also let me appreciate the support from royal houses, transport stakeholders, contractors, Community Policing Forum’s, ANC members and members of the community at large across the length and the breadth of the province.
Lastly, I wish to also express my appreciation to my wife and children for the support and love they continue to show me.
Our task is to serve, like Mao Zedong said, “The organs of state must practise democratic centralism, they must rely on the masses and their personnel must serve the people’’.
Honourable Speaker, I hereby table the 2022/23 Budget Vote of the Department of Police, Roads and Transport for consideration and adoption before this House.
Thank You.
