Municipal speaker, mayor ‘pampered’ themselves with luxury BMWs, while the municipality grapples with service delivery


By OBAKENG MAJE

The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe and the municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai are under fire from opposition parties after they allegedly bought two luxury BMWs worth R1.6 million barely four months in office.

This comes after they alleged that their previous cars, the BMW 2015 model and the Nissan X-Trail 2015 are bewitched. According to the Democratic Alliance’s Member of Parliament (MP), Sello Seitlholo, who is also the DA’s Greater Taung Constituency Head, they will press the municipality to launch a deeper internal probe on the alleged splurging of taxpayers’ money.

“We regard the procurement of the BMWs with a price tag worth of R 1.6 million for exclusive use by two politicians during these hard economic times as a slap in the faces of our impoverished communities, who must grapple daily with going to bed hungry, decaying infrastructures, horrible access roads, virtually non-existent sanitation, nagging water supply outages and housing backlogs.

“Whether such vehicles have been procured on lease or freehold basis could never be justifiable as in either way, the cost to the unsuspecting communities and taxpayers is exorbitant, irresponsible and insensitive,” he said.

Seitlholo further said the GTLM is a Grade 3 level municipality largely dependent on equitable share grants for financial sustenance given the virtually non-existent municipal revenue collections from its mostly indigent community base.

He added that the municipality is currently sitting on Auditor General’s financial disclaimer for the past two consecutive accounting periods.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) provincial secretary, Papiki Babuile said, it is ridiculous for the municipality to splurge that money considering that it is facing a financial crisis and is unable to deliver adequate services to its residents.

He said the residents of Taung do not have access to tarred roads and drinkable water.

“Generally, we do not have municipalities in the North West. Not even a single one, which we can point at and say this municipality is better than one. However, we have cadres of the ANC, who are deployed to enrich themselves and maintain their life-style through the public purse.

“It does not make any sense for the mayor to buy close to R1.6 million cars when you do not have proper roads. Just in front of the municipality, there is a serious challenge of roads. The area also has a challenge of water, while the mayor goes and buys R1.6 million cars,” said Babuile.

African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) councillor in the municipality, Gaolatlhwe Tshipo shared the same sentiments. 

Tshipo said: “While we acknowledge that the speaker’s vehicle is in the range that is stipulated by the National Treasury regulation that governs the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), we are of concern that the mayor’s vehicle has exceeded the budget.

“Again, the cars bought are not user-friendly in comparison to the roads of Taung. These cars are more sophisticated to be used in comparison to our  inaccessible roads in Taung. So, we think they are more urban and will hinder the mayor and speaker’s movements in fulfilling their duties,” said Tshipo.

Meanwhile, the municipal mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe arrogantly said: “The municipality does not just wake-up and decide to buy cars. The Political Office Bearers Act dictates that the mayor and speaker are both required to perform, attend official duties and functions on behalf of the municipality.

“I personally do not subscribe to uncivilised, primitive and dogmatic beliefs. To put it lightly, I do not believe in witchcraft. If cars can be bewitched, why cannot offices, chairs and tables that were used by former mayors/speakers be bewitched too?”

Gaoraelwe said according to the mayoral handbook, vehicles used for political office-bears are replaced or transferred to municipal car-pools, after completion of 150 000 kilometres mileage.

“The National Treasury Instruction No.6 of 2019/2020 (The 2019 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement) says the price threshold is revised from R700 000 to R800 000 inclusive of VAT. So, these cars are going to impact positively and efficiently on service delivery.

“Both our previous cars were purchased during the 2012-2016 council term. A Nissan X-Trail 2015 with registration number JJN392NW that was used by the speaker has more than 250 000 km mileage,” said Gaoraelwe.

He further said the BMW 2015 model with registration number, JKC623NW used by previous mayor, has also reached more than 250 000km mileage. 

According to Municipal Mayoral Member (MMC) chairperson on Finance, Mika Moeti from F4SD, the mayor’s BMW X3 cost R774 451 inclusive of VAT, while the speaker’s BMW X1 cost R612 389 inclusive of VAT.

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A man accused of theft set alight!


By BAKANG MOKOTO                                            

A 26-YEAR-OLD man was allegedly attacked set alight by infuriated community members in Khuma Township, near Stilfontein after being accused of theft on Monday.    

North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, the yet to be identified members of the community allegedly attacked and burnt Victor Chauke to death after accusing him of theft.

It is alleged that Chauke was out on R1000 bail for the same matter.

“The victim was declared dead at the scene. In another related incident, Chauke’s mother (56) and his friend (33) escaped with serious burn injuries following attempts by members of the community to set them alight.

“They were accused of harbouring Chauke. The duo was rushed to the local hospital for medical attention. The house they were living in was partially burnt, while a police vehicle was also damaged during the incident,” he said.

Mokgwabone said, as a result, the police are investigating cases of murder, attempted murder, arson and malicious damage to property.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Sello Kwena condemned in the strongest possible terms the acts of vigilantism. Kwena instructed the Stilfontein Police Station Commander to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted to expose those who committed these unlawful and brutal acts of mob justice.

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Botsukunape le bogodu jwa ditemane bo tsositse tlhatlharuwane kwa Manthe


Ka REGINALD KANYANE

Baagi ba ba shakgetseng ba motse wa Manthe mo Taung, ba kaile fa ba se kitla ba emisa ka ditshupetso go fitlhelela ditopo tsa bone di arabiwa. Go ya ka mongwe wa baeteledipele wa baagi, Botiki Ntwayagae, o kaya fa ba batla di karabo go Kgosi-Kgolo, Nnyoko Motlhabane mabapi le go epiwa ga ditemane ka botsotsi ke segongwana sengwe sa batho kwa matikiring a morafe.

Go ya ka tshedimosetso, go begwa fa mongwe wa letsogo la kgosi, Rre Percy Matshane, e le ene a letleletseng segongwana sengwe go ka epa ditemane ntle le tetla ya morafe. Jaanong, tshega e fabogile lerago, gonne baagi ba boloditse ditshupetso le go tswala ditsela ga mmogo le dikolo.

Ba kaya fa Motlhabane a ganne go amogela le kwalo la ditopo (memorandum), mme seo sene sa isa kwa go bolotseng ditshupetso.

 

“Jaaka re le baagi, re bone go le bototlhokwa gore re bolotse mogwanto go fitlhela ditletlebo tsa rona di reediwa. Re ile ra dira kopo ya go ka tsweletsa mogwanto wa kagiso kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung.

“Seno, ele maikaelelo a go ka pateletsa Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane go ka arabela ditletlebo tsa rona. Re le morafe, re ile ra kwalela Motlhabane makwalo a feta tharo go ka leka go tlisa tharabololo mo mathateng a aparetseng morafe. Fela, ga ra bona dikarabo go fitlha ga jaana, ke ka moo o bonang baagi ba eme ka ditsetsekwane go ka leka go lwantsha bogodu le botsukunape, le go ka sireletsa se eleng sa bone,” go tlhalosa Ntwayagae.

O kaile gape, fa Motlhabane a sena maikaelelo a go ka reetsa morafe, mme o ba bileditse mapodisi. Ntwayagae o kaile fa baagi ba batla gore sengwe le sengwe se se dirwang se dirwe mo mpananeng fela jaaka Motlhabane a solofeditse baagi gore go tlile go nna le moepo mo motseng wa bone.

“Go setse go fitile dingwaga di ka nna tlhano re ntse re emetse meepo. Jaanong ke nako ya gore, Kgosi Motlhabane a emise ka matikiri, mme kgang ya moepo e diragale,” Ntwayagae wa tlhalosa.

Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane yo o ne a tlhapa diatla jaaka Pilato, o tlhalositse fa a sa itse sepe ka segongwana se se epang ditemane kwa matikiring a baagi, mme a tlhalosa fa seo go begwa se dirilwe ke rre Percy Motlhabane ntle le tetla ya gagwe.

“Morago ga gore ke utlwe ka magatwe a gore go na le segongwana se se epang ditemane mo motseng, ke ne ka bitsa keteledipele ya segosi ka di 9 Tlhakole 2022. Mme ke ne ka itsise rre Percy Matshane ka se se diragalang.

“O ne a re bolelela fa ele ene a tlisitseng komponi nngwe, e e tla simololang ka go ka epa ditemane. Fela, se se makatsang, rre Matshane o ne a palelwa ke go tlhalosa fa gobaneng a ne a sa re itsise, segolo thata jang nna jaaka kgosi,” Motlhabane wa tlhalosa.

Motlhabane o kaile fa a ne a kaela Matshane fa a tlile go mosekega nakwana fa di patlisiso ditsweletse kgatlhanong le ene. O ne a kaya fa a tshwanetse go ka kopana le modulasetulo wa board, eleng Prof Mogege Mosimege.

Motlhabane are, ene ya re ka di 15 Mopitlwe 2022, o ne a bitsa kopano ya keteledipele ya segosi, mme ba tsaya tshwetso ya go ka sekega Matshane.  

“Go bua nnete, ga ke sa tlhole ke tshepa Matshane, ebile ke kopa re seka ra reetsa batho ba ba sa bueng nnete. Motse wa Manthe o na le ditemane tsa boleleng jwa di millione tsa di dolara tsa Amerika di ka nna 36, mme ebile bopaki jwa bo rra-saense bo teng.

“Dipatlisiso kgatlhanong le Matshane di tlile go tswelela, mme mo bekeng e tlang, ke tla be ke saena konteraka le komponi nngwe e kgolo. Fela, morafe o tla bidiwa go tla go nna dipaki,” ga tlhalosa Motlhabane.

Ka maswabi, rre Percy Matshane yo go kaiwang a amogetswe kwa bookelo golo gongwe kwa Gauteng, ga kgona go ka araba dipotso tsa rona pele ga kgatiso e. 

Kgabagare, sebueledi sa Lefapha La Thuto mo Bokone Bophirima, Elias Malindi, o kaile fa ba na le toga-maano ya go ka leka go thusa baithuti gore ba tsweletse dithuto tsa bone sentle morago ga ditshupetso.

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A man arrested for dealing in unpolished diamonds


By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 51-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested for illegal dealing in unpolished diamonds. The Hawks spokesperson in the Northern Cape, Capt Tebogo Thebe said, the suspect was arrested after the Serious Organized Crime Investigation unit working in conjunction with Springbok Public Order Policing, successfully executed a takedown operation in Port Nolloth on 14 March 2022.

“A search and seizure was conducted and police recovered three diamond lights, five diamond scales, two calculators, a diamond loop, a diamond classified sieves and a diamond scope tester. The suspect was allegedly involved in a number of diamond transactions worth R144 000.

“He is expected to appear at the Port Nolloth Magistrate’s Court on 15 March 2022. The Hawks’ Provincial Head, Major General Kholekile Galawe lauded the team for a job well done,” Thebe said.

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A mother arrested for allegedly killing her baby


By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

 A  mother (28) is expected to appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday for the alleged murder of her 1-year-old baby girl.

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said on Friday, the grandparents allegedly reported that they saw the woman leaving the house in Dryharts village near Taung with her 1-year-old baby, but returned alone later.

“Upon questioning her about the whereabouts of her child, she could not give any explanation and the police were contacted.

“Subsequent investigations led the police to an open veld, where the body of the baby was found on Saturday afternoon.

“The preliminary investigation revealed that, the baby had what appeared to be a stab wound in her neck. The baby was declared dead on the scene by Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) paramedics,” Myburgh said. 

The suspect was immediately arrested.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena thanked the grandparents for quickly reporting the incident and working with the police to ensure that the baby’s mother faces the full might of the law. 

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Municipality set to lose R200m grant after under-spending


  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Embattled Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality is bound to lose a portion of its R678 million allocation grant. This follows a letter from the national treasury to the municipality, informing it of its intention to halt the funds due to non-compliance of the Water Service Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) and the Regional Bulk Infrastructure grant (RBIG).

In the letter dated 15 February 2022, the national treasury Deputy Director-General in Intergovernmental Relations, Ngqaleni Malijeng said the National Treasury had informed the municipality about the intention to stop an amount of R36.9 million and R183.3 million from their 2021/22 WSIG, RBIG allocations of R66.9 million and R458.3 million respectively in terms of Section 18 of the 2021 Division of Revenue Act of 2021 (DoRA).

“Following the 2021/22 mid-year expenditure reports in terms of Section 10 of the 2021 Division of Revenue Act, (Act No. 9 of 2021) (DoRA) and Section 72 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003) (MFMA), National Treasury intends invoking Section 18 of DoRA.

“It is the National Treasury’s prerequisite to decide whether the grant should be stopped or not after the municipality substantially under-spends its allocation. The National Treasury hereby proposes that a portion of the 2021/22 allocation to the municipality in respect of the WSIG and the RBIG as gazette in the 2021 DoRA be stopped due to under performance of the grant allocations,” she said.

However, Malijeng said the decision will not in any way affect future allocations to the municipality. She further said the municipality is requested in a response to motivate the National Treasury on why expenditure reported as at 31 December 2021 is below 45%.

According to the letter, the municipality was, among other things, requested to submit a progress report against approved projects, submit its representation on the cash coverage for grants transferred, representation on the initial cash flow projections against actual performance and submit a progress report on any approved rolled over for 2020/21 financial year.

The municipality was also requested to commit that the allocated funds are committed and that they will be fully spent by the end of the financial year, 30 June 2022.

“The municipality is also requested to make a commitment that the it will not request roll-over against the proposed stopped funds and submit a presentation on all projects awarded after the second quarter of the municipal financial year as at 31 December 2021,” said Ngqaleni.

The municipality was expected to respond within seven days after receiving the letter.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Treasury, Motlalepula Rosho said: “We have noted a letter from the National Treasury with great concern. Our department will work together with the municipality to ensure it meets the deadline for submission of a comprehensive response and protect funding, which is meant for service delivery.

“It is our understanding that the municipality is expected to make representation to the National Treasury and on the basis of the evaluation of the reasons. The final determination would be made and as such, the Provincial Treasury working with CoGTA, will be providing the necessary support to the municipality so as to fulfil this assignment.”

The Executive Mayor of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Tebogo Bauile alleged that he had not received the letter yet and he will not comment further.  

The ANC Chief Whip of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Paul Sebegoe called for decisive leadership and accountability to deal with challenges facing municipalities in order to build institutions that are sustainable, efficient and free of corruption.

“There must be a total departure from dysfunctional rooted in poor governance, weak institutional capacity, poor financial management, corruption and political instability in order to entrench good governance and accelerate service delivery.  

“Consequence Management and our ability to hold transgressors responsible for looting of public resources accountable must redefine the 6th term of municipal administration and reposition us to reclaim the electoral support we have lost during the 1 November 2021 Local Government Elections.”

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SIU raids National Lotteries Commission in Kimberley!


By REGINALD KANYANE

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) raided the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) offices in Kimberley, Northern Cape on Thursday. The SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago said this comes after they have obtained a search and seizure warrant from the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court to raid the NLC offices.

“The warrant, which was obtained on 8 March 2022, authorises the SIU to search and seize evidence from the NLC relating to the funding of Non-Profit Organisations (NPO) to uplift communities in the province.

“Accompanied by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Prevention, The Hawks, the SIU investigators, raided the NLC offices to seize evidence that might assist with an on-going investigation,” he said.

Kganyago further said, the SIU was reliably informed by whistle-blowers that NLC officials had allegedly enlisted the services of runners, who were tasked with the responsibility of scouting NPOs in the province. He said the NLC officials allegedly encouraged NPOs to apply for NLC funding and immediately after the funding was approved and released to those NPOs, the runners together with NLC officials would allegedly share approximately 30% of the funding.

“Fearing that normal procedure of requesting documents, in accordance with SIU Act 74 of 1996, might result in crucial evidence being compromised, the SIU approached the court for a search and seizure warrant to raid NLC office.

“The SIU is looking to seize documents, laptops and computer hard drives. The SIU was, in terms of Proclamation R32 of 2020, authorized by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of NLC and the conduct of NLC officials,” he said.

Kganyago added that the proclamation covers offences, which took place between 1 January 2014 and 6 November 2020, the date of publication of this Proclamation, or which took place prior to 1 January 2014.

He said it also covers any offences after the proclamation date that are relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters or involve the same persons, entities or contracts investigated under authority of Proclamation R32 of 2020.

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Miss Taung Exclusive competition aims to empower young women


By OBAKENG MAJE

Miss Taung Exclusive (MTE) pageant competition is set to leave behind a meaningful legacy. According to its founder, Rebaone Notoane, the competition’s greatest asset is to bring confidence, sense of worth and etermination among young women across Taung.

As a former Miss Soweto Finalist, Notoane said underlying socio-economic challenges such as teenage pregnancy, school drop-out, HIV and Aids including alcohol and drug abuse across Taung, are things that prompted her to come up with this initiative.

“Taung consists of 106 widely scattered villages and we have created this as a platform for female empowerment. At MTE, we strive to set an example of inclusivity, diversity and the power of the female voice.

“We want to give hope to a girl child through this initiative. Remember, the pageant does not only focus on beauty, but has various campaigns to deal with such as bullying at school, sanitary pads and shoes drive including addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV),” she said.

Notoane encourages girls to enter the competition because through a pageantry process, a contestant will get exposure to life coaching and entrepreneurship skills too.

She said the contestant will also be shaped into the brand ambassadors within the communities and inspire women to move beyond their circumstances.

“I want young girls to find their voices and places in the world. I want them to realise that anything is possible, despite their backgrounds. I want to provide them with an experience that will give them emotional intelligence, strong personalities and show that the world is their runaway,” said Notoane.

She said it will only cost R50 to register and be part of this amazing initiative. Notoane said this is going to be an annual event and they are targeting girls between the ages of 17 to 21.

“The auditions will be conducted at the Long Street Lifestyle Pub, which is situated next to Modisa Lodge in Extension 6, Taung on 26 March 2022. The MTE Grand Finale will be on 7 May 2022.

“Remember, one does not have to be a model to enter and we do not have any specific body requirements or looks. What we need is your brain and dedication because the aim is to empower you,” she said.

Notoane said her wish is to see the initiative providing bursaries and having an arts centre, where a boy and girl child being given equal opportunities to expose their talents. She said she will be grateful to see her fellow queens changing the world and entering big pageant like Miss SA and Miss Universe one day.

“I will definitely know that I have fulfilled my purpose. Apart from all physical prizes, there is an abundance of opportunities too. The winner will be awarded a chance to be an ambassador, which is such an honour.  

“My passion for pageantry started at the tender age. I have won Miss Kebinelang Secondary School in 2009 and became Miss Seabo High School 2nd Princess back in 2013. I also became Miss Maikaelelo in 2014,” said Notoane.  

“In 2019, a Manthe-born trailblazer, was Miss Soweto Finalist and has also been part of various initiatives like Fashion without Borders and The Box Fashion Week Ramp representing crafts of various local designers.

“I worked for Icon Models Management in 2019 too, where I became the face of The Smile Foundation, which is a South African NPO that assists children with any type of facial abnormalities to receive corrective plastic and reconstructive surgery in South Africa,” she said.

Kgosigadi as Notoane is affectionately known in the entertainment arena, obtained her Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Political Sciences and International Relations from Witwatersrand University and encouraged young people to study.

Anyone who would like to be part of this life-changing campaign can follow Rebaone Notoane on socials.

Instagram: @rebaonenotoane or @Miss_Taung_Exclusive or directly call /Whatsapp her on 078 393 764 or 065 501 9797.

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North West Department of Health hits by R1.1 billion accruals!


 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The accruals at the North West Department of Health hamper the provision of effective services, says the provincial treasury. North West MEC for Finance, Motlalepula Rosho, who tabled the provincial budget for 2022/2023 financial year in Mahikeng said the department is projecting accruals of R1.1 billion by the end of the current financial year.

“An amount of R350 million is set aside for health accruals in the 2022/23 financial year. In addition, the department reprioritised R150 million from the baseline towards accruals. We want to ensure that the creditors receive their payments within the prescribed 30 day period.

“So, to address this, the department will be implementing a three-year funding strategy that will also facilitate the provision of medicine and medical consumables, while mitigating against cash flow challenges within the department,” Rosho said.

The department has received a whopping R15.186 billion budget allocation for 2022/23 financial year, which is the second largest Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budget allocation in the province.

“This budget accumulated to R28.973 billion in the last two years of the MTEF. Inclusive in this allocation is an amount of R652 million for health facility revitalization, R811 million for both medical supplies and medicine, and R1.525 billion for the fight against HIV and AIDS.

“In recent years, the department faced pressure in covering the costs associated with the placement of the growing number of medical graduates. So to support the department in responding to the placement of medical graduates, an additional R79 million is allocated to the Statutory Human Resource Grant in the 2022/23 financial year accumulating to R152 million in the two outer years of the MTEF,” she said.

Rosho further said to this end, an amount of R200 million is added to the departmental budget. She added that other programmes funded within this budget are for community health workers, emergency transport and planned patient transport.

“Included in the budget for the department, is an amount of R522.847 million for the COVID-19 pandemic and essential medical supplies.  We need to be mindful that our economy has been reeling from the negative impact that the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed over the past two years,” said Rosho.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) MPL in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Freedy Sonakile said: “The budget allocated to the Department of Health exposes many gaps. There is no mention of any additions to the ambulance fleet, no new hospitals, and no new clinics.

“Instead, it only speaks to maintenance in a province with failing infrastructure and degraded buildings. The budget also fails to address the current out-dated medical record-keeping system, which fails to serve its purpose.”

However, Sonakile said they welcome the additional allocation to deal with the accruals, although it does not fix the problem. He said they expected Rosho to provide a strengthened monitoring and evaluation system under the Provincial Treasury and the Office of the Premier towards monitoring the utilisation of the allocated funds.

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The Department of Education receives the biggest chunk of the provincial budget


By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

North West MEC for Finance, Motlalepula Rosho, who tabled the total budget for the province amounting to R49.712 billion at the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) in Mahikeng, said they need all hands on the deck.

Rosho said fiscal discipline, good governance and accountability will take the province to the new economic growth trajectory.   

“Consistent with the above principles, we commit to use the limited fiscal resources in order to achieve value for money and create a conducive environment for job creation. The total budget for the province amounts to R49.712 billion in the 2022/23 financial year and R97.880 billion in the last two years of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

“The 2022/23 budget allocation is made up of provincial equitable share amounting to R39.540 billion, R8.568 billion for the Conditional Grants and R1.6 billion from Own Provincial funding,” she said.

According to Rosho, the provincial budget incorporates the restructuring of some of the conditional grants and changes to accommodate the planned function shifts in the agricultural sector as well as the social development and education sectors.

On social cluster, Rosho said the province has ensured that the budget of social sector departments is protected over the MTEF. She said this was done in alignment with national priority outcomes.

“This is to ensure that the province continues to provide and expand services provided by the Departments of Education, Health, Social Development, Human Settlements and Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation.

“These departments collectively receive a lion’s share of the provincial budget estimated at 80%. This translates into a budget allocation of R39.852 billion in the 2022/23 financial year and cumulatively amounts to R77.708 billion in the last two years of the MTEF,” said Rosho.

She further said, to ensure that effective teaching and learning takes place in the schools, the Department of Education was allocated R20.346 billion in 2022/23 and R39.834 billion for the two outer years of the MTEF period. 

Rosho added that this translates into the largest share of 40.9% of the provincial budget.

“The total allocation is inclusive of R1.237 billion in the 2022/23 financial year and R2.411 billion over the MTEF for education infrastructure provision. Other key programmes to be funded include Early Childhood Development (ECD) at the Grade R and Pre-Grade R levels and the Sanitary Dignity Project.

“This will ensure that young girls remain in school and access sanitary dignity products in public schools. The National School Nutrition Programme Grant, which provides more than 191 000 learners with a hot meal at school every day, will be included,” she said.

Rosho said included in the budget allocation for 2022/23, is an amount of R633.794 million to cater for budget pressures created by the increasing number of educators and other shortfalls within the sector. She said education will continue to implement the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, which will benefit more than 800 unemployed youth.

“Resultantly, an amount of R815 million is allocated in the first two years of the MTEF. The function for Early Childhood Development has been transferred from Social Development to Education resulting in an amount of R90.453 million being shifted in 2022/23 and R179.361 million in the outer years of the MTEF.