EXCO Media Statement

23 June 2022

EXCO CONVENES A SESSION TO TAKE DECISIVE STEPS ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT, HEALTH RESPONSE AND INTERVENTION FOR BULK SERVICES

The Executive Council (EXCO) convened on Wednesday in Mbombela, to consider presentations of strategies and plans by various Departments to address fundamental service delivery interventions in Mpumalanga. During the session the Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane expressed concerned about cases of crime related to Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) in the province. The Premier emphasized the need to firm up crime fighting strategies in an effort to reduce such cases. She directed the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) and the South African Police Services to devise a strategy that will deal vigorously against the scourge. The strategy will be presented to the next sitting of EXCO.

The damaged Provincial and Municipal road infrastructure, was also raised as a growing concern during the session. EXCO noted the high prevalent of potholes and directed the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWR&T) to patch and reseal them as a short term intervention. “We must embark on Operation Hlasela, a campaign aimed at fixing the potholes. We must utilize the four jet patchers, to patch and reseal them. Through this approach, the war against potholes, will be won,” the Premier explained.

Evidence-based data demonstrates that the Mpumalanga province, as is the case in the entire country, is experiencing a population growth. In light of this, EXCO acknowledged the need for a proper spatial planning to achieve the human settlements targets, which include the acquisition of land for social amenities. In addition, EXCO recognized the vitality of providing bulk services in an integrated approach, to give effect to the District Development Model’s (DDM) aspirations.

During the session, Departments delivered presentations aimed at addressing social challenges such as disaster and disease management and human settlements strategies and plans.

1. PROGRESS REPORT ON THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME OF INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGED BY THE TROPICAL STORM

A report regarding the rehabilitation programme of the infrastructure, damaged by the tropical storm last year, was presented to EXCO. Through the report, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) requested EXCO’s approval in a quest to implement all infrastructure related programmes, aimed at responding to any disaster in the province.

The report depicts the completion of the Tekwane South bridge, which collapsed last year due to the tropical storm, Eloise, as one of the major milestone achievements. The incident left commuters between Kanyamazane and Mbombela stranded. Its reconstruction marks the end of an era in which commuters relied on a temporary road and the N4 road, which link Kanyamazane and Mbombela.

The report further highlights completed projects of the rehabilitation of access roads, bridges and culverts, storm water drainages, electricity, water and sanitation in several Municipalities, among them the Dr JS Moroka, Thembisile Hani, City of Mbombela, Nkomazi, Thaba Chweu, Bushbuckridge and Mkhondo.

While EXCO acknowledged progress of the steps taken to rehabilitate the infrastructure, however, it took a dim view about cases of land invasion and violation of land use management legislation. The delinquent behaviour culminate into occupation of flood line areas, with fatalities and displacement of victims as an outcome during heavy storms. EXCO directed COGTA and Municipalities to devise a preventative strategy against such delinquencies.


2. REVIEW OF THE SUSTAINABLE HUMAN SETTLEMENTS MASTER PLAN AND MTSF IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (2019-2024)

The Department of Human Settlement’s Sustainable Human Settlements Master Plan was also presented to EXCO, to provide progress on the delivery of Integrated Sustainable Human Settlements in the Province. The plan highlights shortcomings for the achievement of set targets, the need to review the plan and the importance of aligning it with the DDM.

The plan was approved in 2014 by EXCO and serves as a provincial instrument, key to the realization of the Mpumalanga Vision 2030 and the country’s National Development Plan 2030. Since the approval, eighty one (81) settlements have been established, with fourteen (14) fully serviced. There are currently thirty (30) new settlements and thirty seven (37) informal settlements that are under implementation.

EXCO resolved that the Master plan should integrate the role of all government sectors, to resemble the DDM approach. In addition, the plan must include bulk Infrastructure, to ensure the provision of bulk services. EXCO further directed DHS to use the Socio-Economic Review Outlook (SERO) report and the latest STATS SA report, as baselines to inform all targets.


3. THE STATE OF HIV, AIDS,STI & TB PROGRAMME IN MPUMALANGA

The Department of Health’s (DH) progress in the implementation of HIV, AIDS, STI and TB Programmes was presented with a highlight of challenges. The presentation encapsulates the 90-90-90 policy targets as drastic measures aimed at reducing the mortalities related to HIV and TB cases.

The following targets have been set for the management of HIV and TB:
• 90% of people living with HIV and AIDS, should know their HIV status
• 90% of those HIV positive people should be on antiretroviral treatment (ART)
• 90% of those people who are on antiretroviral treatment should be virally suppressed
• 90% of clients visiting Health care facilities screened for TB symptoms
• 90% of TB positive clients should be initiated on TB treatment
• 90% of TB clients successfully treated
The report provides a significant plethora of measures undertaken by the DH, to achieve the targets. These include, but not limited to; TB screening at Health care facilities, contact tracing and screening, Integrated community based TB screening, through outreach teams.

For HIV/AIDS, these measures are HIV testing Services (HTS), Prevention of Mother-to-Child-Transmission, Male and Female condom distribution and the Voluntary Medical Male circumcision.

EXCO resolved that a vigorous community mobilization campaign must be intensified to encourage communities to check their status for HIV, and that those who test positive, be encouraged to take ARVs. Bill boards and distribution of information material such as flyers will form part of the campaign. The need to intensify a collaboration between Mpumalanga and the two neigbouring countries, namely; Mozambique and Swaziland, to prevent the cross spread of the pandemic, was emphasized.

EXCO further resolved to intensify the fight against the spread of TB in the Province. EXCO directed DH to adopt the COVID-19 tracing system as one of the mechanisms to encourage TB patients to collect their medication.

Ends…

Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government
(A) Provincial Government’s Spokesperson: Mr George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile:083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za