Cabinet Media Statement

02 April 2014

The executive council held its ordinary meeting today [Wednesday, 02 April 2014] in Nelspruit, and during its discussions it also paid its appreciation to the long serving Secretary of the Cabinet Mr December Mahlangu who has left the public service to pursue his ambition as a full-time religious leader.

Cabinet wished him well in his future endeavours thus expressing satisfaction that he had been a good government servant who discharged his services excellently.

Condolences to Health and Social Development MEC

Cabinet further conveyed its condolences to the family of Health and Social Development MEC Candid Mashego-Dlamini for the loss of her daughter, and her parliamentary liaison officer Mr Mpho Lushaba.

Update report on take-over of Matikwana Hospital by the provincial government

The executive council was briefed on the progress made on the taking-over of Matikwana Hospital by the provincial government yesterday [01 April 2014]. The hospital has firmly been taken over by the Department of Health and Cabinet has permitted a request for quick intervention to fix and upgrade the collapsing structures in an effort to lift the face of the hospital. 

Cabinet was apprised that the staff as well as local communities are happy with the settlement and expect the provincial government to provide better services at the hospital. The employees were offered jobs according to the Department of Health’s conditions of employment.

The professional personnel is expected be beefed up to meet the general district hospital package. The current bed utilisation rate is highly suggesting that the hospital might need to be expanded.

The provincial government has taken-over the operations of the hospital from Life Esidimeni (Pty) Ltd which had a 25-year contract with the former homeland of Gazankulu. In September last year, Cabinet took a decision to take over operations and in anticipation of a smooth hand-over of the contract; the department of health developed a takeover plan which was implemented successfully.

Update report on flood disasters in Mpumalanga 

The executive council noted the report on flood disasters which negatively affected communities in the province, and it further considered to declare the provincial state of disaster after all the necessary processes have been followed.

In its previous meeting in March this year, the executive council dispatched a special political and technical team comprising of four members of the executive and their heads of the departments to visit all three affected municipalities [Nkomazi, Mkhondo and Bushbuckridge] to assess the extent of the damage caused by the rain as 254 houses were reportedly flooded.  

The rains resulted in sudden increased river flows and dam levels, flooding and water logging of low lying areas impacting negatively on major infrastructure such as roads, bridges, housing, schools, and agriculture and water quality. The province recorded 12 fatalities.

The team ensured the provision of humanitarian relief such as blankets, collapsible structures, tents, food parcels, and search and rescue missions through a joint response team from various sectors. 

The total estimated cost for flood damage recovery and rehabilitation amounts to R535 million. Cabinet has since approved the declaration of the state of disaster in the province by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister in terms of Section 41 of the Disaster Management Act.

Consolidated provincial hand-over report

The executive council was briefed on the progress made with regards to the submission of the hand-over reports by the provincial departments since the term of the current administration is coming to an end just before the elections.

This follows a directive by the Presidency that hand-over reports be compiled for the incoming executive authorities after the 2014 general elections. The Office of the Premier through the Macro Policy branch was tasked to ensure that provincial departments’ hand-over reports are submitted. The report is readily available in the Office of the Premier. 

Premier’s dialogue with older persons

The executive council approved the hosting of the Premier’s Dialogue with Older Persons by various district municipalities in the province. Although the dates for the Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts have not yet been confirmed, Ehlanzeni will hold its event on 08 April 2014 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

The dialogues are aimed at promoting the entrenchment of older persons’ rights and dignity agenda in Mpumalanga. Government has acknowledged its obligation with regards to older persons by being involved in many international forums that seek to defend and protect the rights of older persons.   

South Africa is amongst countries that adopted the Political Declaration and Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing during the Second World Assembly held in Madrid, Spain in April 2002. The Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing is a resource for policy-making, suggesting ways for government, non-government organisations and other key role players to reorient the ways in which their societies perceives, interact with and care for their older citizens. 

The Office of the Premier in Mpumalanga has since established the Office on the Rights of Older Persons in this regard located within the Target Groups directorate. 

The scheduled Premier’s Dialogue with Older Persons is an important milestone in the establishment of Older Persons Forums at local, district and provincial levels as it will set a tone for rights-based approach in advocating for active participation and visibility of older persons in all matters that affect them.

Appointments 

1.    Mr Khema Dlamini – appointed Director: Chief Financial Officer   [Office of the Premier]

2.    Ms Nandi Shongwe – appointed Director: Target Groups [Office of the Premier]

3.    Ms Mpho Maluleke – appointed Director: Internal Audit [Office of the Premier]

4.  Ms Mapule Mashiteng – appointed Chief Director: Provincial Transversal Human Resources Development Services [Department of Education]

5.    Ms Vanitha Francis – appointed Director: Strategic Partnerships [Department of Education]

6.    Board Members of the Mpumalanga Liquor Authority

-       Mr J S Matsane [Chairperson]

-       Ms T E Mawelele [Deputy Chairperson]

-       Dr PP Lombard [Ordinary Member]

-       Ms MCN Sephiri [Ordinary Member]

-       Mr VR Nkosi [Ordinary Member]

-       Mr BR Makamo [Ordinary Member]

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