Policy and Budget Speech 2014/15 Vote 4: Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs by Hon Refilwe Mtshweni, Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature
Madam Speaker, Ms BT Shongwe
Honourable Deputy Speaker, Mr D B Dube,
Honourable Premier: DD Mabuza,
Honourable Members of the Executive Council,
Members of the Mpumalanga Legislature,
His Majesties King Makhosokhe ll and King Mabhoko III
Honourable Executive Mayors, Speakers, Chief Whips and Councilors
Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders,
Kgoshi LM Mokoena and Inkhosi SG Ngomane
Our revered Traditional Leaders, Amakhosi / Magoshi,
The Director General, Heads of Departments and Municipal Managers
The Leadership of the ANC and Alliance partners
Distinguished guests,
Friends, citizens of the province,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Madam Speaker, on the 26th of June, the ANC marked the 59th year since the adoption of the Freedom Charter in Kliptown. The adoption of the freedom charter became a turning point for our history as it became a guiding document of the ANC to make South Africa a country that caters firmly for all people who live in it. The vision contained in the freedom charter became the cornerstone of the country’s Constitution which is now the envy of many other countries with a similar experience of South Africa, pre-1994 across the globe.
It is therefore with great pleasure and excitement that the hopes and aspirations espoused in the freedom charter have found expression in the leadership of the ANC and its Alliance partners, since the ANC Presidency of Zaccheus Richard Mahabane in whose tenure the freedom charter was adopted, until this day under the leadership of Hon. President JG Zuma.
Madam Speaker, 20 years into democracy, the ANC-led government, remains committed to the ideals of the freedom Charter which stipulates amongst others that the people shall govern which is reflected through our local sphere of government.
We remain unshaken in our resolve to make the principles of the freedom charter a reality in honour of our struggle heroes and heroines such as OR Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Chris Hani, Lillian Ngoyi, Joe Slovo, Ahmed Kathrada, Albertina Sisulu, Ruth First, and many more, who laid down their lives and sacrificed their privileges for the betterment of the living conditions of the oppressed masses.
It is in the spirit of the Freedom Charter that we honour one of the martyrs of the liberation movement, Solomon ‘Kalushi’ Mahlangu, who at the age of 20 was slain by the apartheid state machinery. His famous statement still reverberates in our ears after 36 years of his death. Even when he faced the gallows, he maintained his bravery and told his persecutors that: “My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom. Tell my people that I love them. They must continue the fight.
Madam Speaker, I would like to submit before this august House converged here today that these historical moments in our struggle history have shaped our country and therefore we should not lose momentum in our desire to improve the lives of our people. The ideals of the Freedom Charter and Solomon Mahlangu’s call for us to continue the fight, are explicitly expressed in our beloved Constitution, the National Development Plan (NDP), Government’s Five Key Priorities and the Mpumalanga Vision 2030.
Madam Speaker, the delivery of basic services is a Constitutional imperative which cuts across the three spheres of government, and is non-negotiable. Section 27 (1), Sub-section (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa stipulates the following: “Everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water.”
Madam Speaker, the character of this government is to know where our people live and what challenges are they experiencing on a daily basis. As we travel the length and breadth of the province, we note with concern that despite government’s multi-million rand water interventions, there are communities who are still struggling to have access to water.
Water interventions:
In this new Administration, we have re-committed ourselves to provide water to all our communities, as expressed in the five key priorities and our 2014 General Elections manifesto. The improvement of the bulk water and sanitation infrastructure shall be one of the focus areas of the department. Working with the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation, we have completed the Delmas Water Treatment Works in Victor Khanye Municipality wherein R96 million was invested. The Bloemendal to Delmas Bulk water pipeline we have spent R171 million.
With this intervention in Victor Khanye Municipality, the outbreak of water-borne diseases is now history. The quality of the water was tested and I can say this without fear of contradiction that our people are now drinking safe water. We have also paid special attention in the Bushbuckridge Municipality wherein we completed the Acornhoek Bulk Pipeline, Inyaka Water Treatment Works and 100 Mega Litres of water are currently supplied to the communities. In addition, we are currently working towards the completion of the Hoxane Water Treatment Plant and the reticulation programme in the surrounding villages. I am also pleased that 21 villages have already been reticulated of the 25 villages that were targeted for end of July.
The following four villages are in progress:
- Madjembeni (Ward 13) 93%
- Oakley (Ward 24) 94%
- Chavelagaza (Ward 24) 95%
- Baromeng (Ward 11) 15%
Madam Speaker, our water supply efforts are hindered by a number of obstacles, amongst them, the loss of water due to the ageing infrastructure, tempering with the reticulation system through illegal connections and insufficient budget for maintenance.
The following recommendations were raised in the Mpumalanga Infrastructure Master Plan for implementation during this financial year:
- to augment water supply systems through additional raw water supply and upgrade the existing bulk water supply.
- replacement of the ageing infrastructure to prevent the huge water losses.
As a way of further responding to the current water shortages within the province, we have adopted a zero-tolerance to illegal connections and we are working with our municipalities to intensify this campaign. The Nkomazi Municipality is a shining example, and we salute the Executive Mayor, Cllr Thulisile Khoza and the Council for leading a campaign to disconnect households with illegal connections.
In order to augment technical capacity within the targeted municipalities to improve water service provision, we have during the last financial year, ensured the deployment of nine engineers through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA) programme. For this financial year, 12 engineers will be deployed to the remaining municipalities
Madam Speaker, in the last financial year, we undertook to facilitate the upgrading and maintenance of water infrastructure in the following seven municipalities, namely:
- Emalahleni
- Nkomazi
- Mbombela
- Dr.JS Moroka
- Thembisile Hani
- Bushbuckridge
- Mkhondo.
We also responded positively to the water shortages in Msukaligwa in partnership with the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation wherein a temporary bulk pipeline had to be installed as a bypass to connect the Northern Water Treatment Works in order to provide constant supply for Ermelo, Wesselton and surrounding communities. A permanent bulk pipeline is also under construction and more refurbishment works on the Northern and Southern Treatment Works have been completed. The people of Msukaligwa now enjoy clean and safe water. Our appreciation goes to Rand Water for their sterling job in that regard.
We also want to appreciate their work in Emalahleni wherein 20 old Reservoirs have been upgraded and were properly cleaned to provide acceptable quality water. Although there may still be challenges regarding pipe bursts and water leakages caused by ageing infrastructure, there are plans to convert 1.8km of asbestos pipes to more reliable UPVC pipes.
Madam Speaker, we would like to reiterate the Honourable Premier’s commitment by saying: “Emanti atawuphumala. Kumnyama, kubovu”! As we work together with the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation, municipalities and Rand Water, victory is certain in the delivery of water to all our communities in Mpumalanga. A total amount of R1.9 billion has been set aside by municipalities through grant sources like the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), Municipal Water Infrastructure Grant (MWIG), and Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) to address the shortage of water supply and sanitation throughout the province.
Sanitation
Madam Speaker, Honourable President Zuma expects our people to have a pleasant experience when dealing with local government. This was further impressed upon by Honourable Premier DD Mabuza during the fifth State of the Province Address, in which he said: “For us the performance of local government is critical in our efforts to respond urgently to the pressing issues that the communities raised and mandated us to prioritise as the ANC-led government”.
It is for this reason that we have taken a firm decision in Mpumalanga that the urban and rural areas within the province should have equal access to services alike. It should not be a matter of how remote we are located in the province, for us as a department; services promised in the Constitution should be rendered respectively.
In line with the above vision, we have since taken a decision to stop all potential roll-out of VIP toilets and we want to pay more attention to the enabling bulk and reticulation sewer infrastructure, so as to support all our communities with waterborne network systems.
Where it becomes impossible for the immediate connection of waterborne network systems, then reasonable rudimentary systems that support flushable toilets either through septic tanks or bio-environmental systems shall be explored.
Electricity
We have picked-up a number of inconsistencies and deficiencies when it comes to reliable supply of electricity. Serious power outages have been encountered in our big municipalities and are a cause for concern. In as much as we can acknowledge that these towns are centres of fast growth in the province resulting in expanded settlements and therefore more electricity connections is required, however, this demand has not been equally met with expanded infrastructure for bulk supply and distribution of electricity.
The demand for electricity has been growing whilst the network infrastructure for supply has relatively been the same over the past few years.
As Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), working with Eskom and the Department of Energy, we will develop reliable plans of addressing the problem and we will also lobby national government for funding of additional substations and the upgrading of bulk infrastructure.
We are also aware that some municipalities are struggling with the management of electricity networks operations and maintenance, which at times leads to enormous amounts of unpaid debts owed to Eskom. In response to this, we will be working closely with Eskom to support the following Municipalities; eMalahleni, Thaba Chweu, Msukaligwa and Lekwa.
We will be supporting these Municipalities on the following:
- Technical and Financial Expertise
- Operations and Maintenance Plans
- Revenue Collection
- Network Assessment and Cable Auditing
- Advise on Economical Tariff setting
We will also be reviewing the Agreements entered into with Eskom with an intention of improving the client/service provider relationship between Eskom and municipalities with regards to outstanding accounts owed and the financial feasibility thereof. A provincial task team has been set up for this purpose.
Refuse removal
Waste collection and management remains the key aspect of our local government. Part of what is envisaged under Section 152 of our Constitution as objects of Local Government is: to promote a safe and healthy environment in our communities. Local governments are constitutionally obliged to keep safe and clean environments through proper waste management. From the total of 56 dumping sites in the Province, a total of 25 are licensed and 31 are not licensed as yet. We will therefore, together with the Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA), coordinate the improvement of this status so that more dumping sites meet the legislative requirements.
The Community Work Programme coordinated by the department where more than 18 300 participants have enrolled in the province and the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) participants coordinated by the Department of Public Works Roads and Transport have made a significant impact in keeping our towns clean, while ensuring jobs opportunities for the youth. We have continued with the Youth Waste Management Programme where about 630 participants were enrolled. This programme will now be absorbed through the EPWP funding from the 2014/15 financial year.
Let me take this opportunity to raise our deepest gratitude to all those men and women, brothers and sisters who have always been with us through thick and thin even when we had system’s glitches causing late payments, that they were always stuck with us and provided exceptional services against all-odds. You have made us to respect those Orange Overalls engraved CWP or EPWP. We salute you.
Audit outcomes and capacity to deliver
We have made a thorough assessment which shows that some of our municipalities are well on track to be the centre of excellence. The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and Ehlanzeni District Municipality are classical examples.
Let me take this opportunity, Madam Speaker to salute the Executive Mayor of Steve Tshwete Municipality, Cllr Mike Masina, his Council and his Administration for obtaining a Clean Audit over the past four years. I also want to salute the Executive Mayor of Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Cllr Lettah Shongwe, her Council and her Administration for the same achievement over the past three years.
We have noted with regret the poor audit outcomes of municipalities during the 2013/14 financial year. Despite the support from our department in conjunction with the Provincial Treasury, South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Auditor-General (A-G), some municipalities have either obtained disclaimers or remained static in their audit results.
Madam Speaker, the remedial actions are in place to address this, and we will monitor the implementation thereof. In this financial year, we have set for ourselves the following targets in support of the municipalities:
- We have planned to fill all critical vacancies by appointing competent and committed staff in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) goals.
- We also want to implement integrated capacity building programmes to enhance quality of leadership at political and administration levels.
- We want to roll-out on-going capacity building programme to empower our political leadership to play an effective oversight role.
- We want to ensure that there are proper systems and processes in all our municipalities to ensure effective management of resources and people as this will enable us to combat corruption in line with the NDP.
- We want to create an enabling economic environment in municipalities to ensure that economic development occurs and that Local Economic Development Forum plays their part that of uplifting the areas.
- We want to promulgate standard draft by-laws at provincial level that local municipalities can customise to their jurisdiction and we will also assist them with by-law enforcement strategies.
- Strengthen the working relationship between CDWs, Ward Councillors and Ward Committees.
- As COGTA, we will ensure that we play our continuous role of supporting, empowering and monitoring our municipalities to ensure effective, efficient, accountable and responsive developmental, local government in line with the NDP.
Madam Speaker, the majority of our municipalities are rural-based and are grant-dependant due to low revenue base. The high rate of non-affordability is due to high volumes of unemployment, forcing municipalities to implement indigent policies to support the destitute families in their jurisdictions.
Revenue enhancement is being improved by helping municipalities to improve their billing system. Measures are being put in place to encourage our people to pay for the services they receive. There are realities of distribution losses and the tariff structures that are below cost. These will also be analysed and be addressed accordingly.
We will be helping municipalities to develop customised revenue collection strategy as a ploy to enhance their revenues. This will help them to recoup money in return for the services rendered such as water and electricity.
Our effort to assist municipalities for the payment of services is producing the desired outcomes. By the end of January 2014, an amount of R367 million owed by sector departments, rate payers and parastatals was recouped. This amount has boosted their revenue to provide services to our people.
Constitutional interventions
Cabinet, Madam Speaker, approved our intervention in Emalahleni and Bushbuckridge Local Municipalities in terms of section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, read with section 139(5)(a) of the Constitution and Chapter 13 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, (Act. No 56 of 2003).
The Administrators in both municipalities assumed Administrative functions of the Municipal Manager as stipulated in section 55 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, (Act No. 32 of 2000) and the functions of the Executive Mayors as contained in section 56(2) of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, (Act No. 117 of 1998).
The intervention sought to address a number of challenges related but not limited to financial management, delivery of services, contractual obligations. One of the immediate tasks of the Administrators was to develop a recovery plan for inter alia, improvement of service delivery.
Madam Speaker, I am happy to report to this House that recovery plans for both municipalities have been finalised and implementation of the recommendations is in full force. Notwithstanding some challenges, however, the progress is well underway for both municipalities in their financial management
There has been progress in Emalahleni Municipality. The political and administrative stability of Council was achieved with the elimination of labour unrest within the Administration. Financial Management systems have been improved and the response on turn-around times of plant break-downs has also improved. The Water Quality challenges have been addressed and attention was given to the upgrading of the Water Treatment Plants and their Reservoirs. More than 110 vehicles which were unaccounted for were recovered.
The rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure has been accelerated. By the end of May, cleaning of all reservoirs which had a huge impact on the quality of water, had been completed, in spite of a number of challenges.
The amount of debt owed to Eskom remains an area of concern. To make matters worse, illegal connections to the power lines better known as ízinyoka’-nyoka’ are contributing to the increasing debt. We appeal to the households with illegal connections to stop this act with immediate effect and follow the proper procedures of connecting electricity. This is a criminal act and we are working with law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to book.
The Administrator is pursuing a number of options for the payment of the Eskom debt account and other financial obligations. This includes the collection of money from creditors for services such as water, electricity, property rates and fines.
In the Bushbuckridge Municipality, Madam Speaker, 21 villages have been connected to water since the intervention. The Inyaka and Hoxani plant have been completed to provide for bulk supply. The bulk water pipeline has been completed and the Municipality is currently finishing secondary bulk as well as the water reticulation.
The Municipality has prioritised water projects for 2014/15 Financial Year and has spent 100 percent on MIG funds for the first time during 2013/14 financial year. Public participation has improved and the financial systems of the Municipality are in a better state of affairs. This municipality has improved and progressively stabilised from its previous state of affairs.
Madam Speaker, the implementation of spatial plans to address human settlement in municipal boundaries will be given special attention in this financial year. We will be helping municipalities to revise and implement the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) to guide and support development initiatives, as directed by the Honourable Premier during the State of the Province Address. We have already embarked on a training workshop for municipalities on issues of compliance.
We would like to reiterate the Premier’s call for municipalities to work jointly with Traditional leaders for the success of this initiative. We have recognised the fact that part of the land which falls within municipal boundaries belongs to traditional leaders and hence a need to work together closely.
We commit ourselves to resolve, as a matter of urgency, the contestation of land ownership, between municipal councils and traditional leadership in some areas. This impasse is a major obstacle not only to the development of rural areas but for the realisation of the Mpumalanga Human Settlement Plan.
A foundation has been laid in this regard through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was signed last year, between COGTA, Municipalities, represented by SALGA and Traditional Leaders, represented by the Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders. The MoU determines the scope and the extent of such cooperation with respect to land use and land management. This course of action we are taking, Madam Speaker, will help undo the legacy of apartheid as was promulgated in the oppressive 1913 Land Act which forced our people to inhuman living conditions. It only takes a government which cares for its people to undertake such drastic steps.
Madam Speaker, special attention will be paid towards intensifying public participation. Poor communication between councillors and their constituencies is often raised as a matter of concern which sometimes leads to the service delivery protests. This matter was further raised during the Provincial Cabinet Lekgotla by the Honourable Premier when he explained the need to close the social distance.
We will support Ward Committees in the development of ward operational plans and strengthen their functionality. We will monitor compliance on this matter and this is in line with the legislative mandate for the electorate to have access to information.
Public participation will be intensified to allow communities to raise issues of concern, in relation to service delivery, while at the same time, allowing councillors to report back on service delivery matters. This will further create a platform for our communities to participate in the IDPs and Budget fora. The department will closely monitor this process to ensure improvement of public participation.
We will further firm up our Communication engagement, working together with Executive Mayors, using media platforms to keep our communities informed as part of citizenry empowerment.
Madam Speaker, we have made a commitment as an ANC-led government, that in the second phase of our democratic transition we shall take bold and decisive steps to place the economy on a qualitatively different path that eliminates poverty and unemployment, create sustainable livelihoods and substantially reduce inequality.
Working with the National Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, our Provincial Department will coordinate the acceleration of employment safety net by ensuring that 20 419 socio-economically disadvantaged people are participating in the Community Work Programme. This initiative would also be addressing the national target of creating 1 million job opportunities through the Community Work Programme by 2019.
Madam Speaker, the promulgation of the Ingoma Act is a major milestone achievement for our province. The Act regulates the operation of Initiation Schools. Over the years, the province has experienced the mushrooming of illegal schools, whose owners performed our sacred tradition of ‘ukusoka’, causing fatalities under mysterious circumstances. The passage to adulthood for our young men should not be a death-knell. The Ingoma Act gives us a legal recourse to arrest those who fail to comply and furthermore prevent further deaths, which has given our sacred tradition a bad reputation.
Madam Speaker, let me send my condolences to the families of the young men whose lives were lost in the illegal schools in our province. One of them was a six year old boy, Siyabonga Mpila of Manyeveni near White River, the youngest victim. (Let us observe a moment of silence in their honour). May their souls rest in peace!
Madam Speaker, we must commend our law enforcement agencies, for acting swiftly, by arresting the suspects who operate these illegal schools. This will send a strong message that illegal schools have no place in our society.
The law should take its course as a deterrent for future illegal practice of our sacred tradition. We cannot allow people who treat our children as ‘ATMs’ for cash. We commend the Ingoma Forum, under the leadership of Mr Koos Tugwana, the National Task team on initiation schools, headed by Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu and the Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders led by Kgosi Mokoena, for their relentless efforts to fight for the closure of the illegal schools.
Madam Speaker, we have recorded progress in the finalisation of claims and cases related to traditional leadership. Since the appointment of the Provincial Committee on Traditional Leadership Claims and Disputes, 112 claims have been finalised, and we are currently dealing with 51 outstanding claims, with a hope to conclude all of them before December 2015 when its term of Office lapses.
We are determined in our resolve to restore the dignity of traditional leadership. We welcome the announcement by the Honourable President regarding the refurbishment of traditional councils, some of which are in Mpumalanga, including the Kings’ Palaces. This intervention, according to the Honourable President, will be done through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency and this will continue up until 2019.
In this fiscal year a decision has been taken to construct four Traditional Council offices and refurbish the palaces of the two Izingwenyama. We are concerned at the functionality of our traditional councils. We acknowledge that we have not moved as fast as we should on this important issue. We will make the reconstitution of our Traditional Councils as a priority in this financial year. We are currently finalising the boundaries of all traditional councils and will work hard to have them reconstituted by the end of this financial year.
The matter of tools of trade for our Traditional Leaders remains a priority for our government. The resources at our disposal is not always adequate to meet the needs of our traditional leaders, however, the matter is receiving the necessary attention. The National Department of Traditional Affairs has approved the framework for the tools of trade for Traditional leaders. This framework indicates clearly which tools of trade must be provided by government. As a province we are currently customizing these tools of trade to be applicable for the province. We hope to complete this process very soon. We will then begin to implement these tools of trade in a phased-in approach.
The matter of boundaries and areas of jurisdictions of our traditional leaders continues to be a challenge. It has been a source of tensions amongst some of our traditional leaders. Working together with the Surveyor-General, we are now reconfirming the existing proclaimed areas of jurisdiction to prevent further conflict amongst our traditional leaders.
Madam Speaker, as the journey of the new Administration begins; we have already made an assessment of our internal capacity and have realised the need to improve. We are in the process of redesigning our organogram in a quest to strengthen our internal capacity to respond to the support-needs of the municipalities and the institution of traditional leadership. This is also done to firm up our service delivery output. Consultations are underway with relevant sector departments for an advice. Our recent Strategic Planning session has produced a new vision, mission and the strategic goals of the Department, to reflect what we want to achieve. We are determined to change the course of poverty for our people, and make their aspirations of a better life for all, a reality.
The remarks of the great Nelson Mandela, our first democratic President of South Africa, during the 90th birthday celebration of Walter Sisulu in 2002, should be our guiding principle and a provision in this journey. He said: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to thank the Honourable Premier, DD Mabuza and the ANC for affording me this opportunity to lead the department. I am looking forward to your support and your guidance. Furthermore, I am also looking forward to work cooperatively with members of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, which plays an oversight role in this department, chaired by the Hon. Rhoda Mathabe.
My sincere gratitude to the Acting Head of Department, Mr Richard Mnisi, Management and staff whose support has made it easier for me to present these plans and policy imperatives. Many thanks go to my family, my friends and Comrades for their unwavering support.
I now have the pleasure to table the budget of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and I accordingly request the House to approve the amount of R418.792 million for the 2014/15 financial year, which is allocated as follows:
- Programme 1: Administration - R102,876 million
- Programme 2: Local Governance - R141,010 million
- Programme 3: Development and Planning - R60, 262 million
- Programme 4: Traditional Institutional Management - R101,283 million
- Programme 5: House of Traditional Leaders - R13,361 million
‘Together, moving Mpumalanga forward’.
Ngiyathokoza!
