The Executive Council Statement: 29 July 2009

The Executive Council of Mpumalanga, held on the 29th of July 2009, welcomed and endorsed the decision of Premier David Mabuza to appoint two commissions of enquiry to investigate alleged irregularities in the management of scholar transport, and alleged procurement irregularities pertaining to the construction of the Provincial Archives Building as well as the construction of the Provincial Disaster Management Centre. 

“These are statutory commissions which will provide the Cabinet with outcomes whose legal standing can be tested in courts. It is regrettable that some media has already been reporting on alleged findings before the commissions have commenced work,” said Premier Mabuza.

The Executive Council further requested the community and provincial government employees to fully cooperate with the work of the commissions.

The Executive Council condemned the wave of violence that has swept the country, and Mpumalanga in particular, worsened by the current labour strikes.  The Executive Council in particular raised concern about the disruption of basic services and damage to public and private property in various municipalities across the province during the protest marches.   The Executive Council reiterated its condemnation of such unlawful behavior which characterised this week’s protest marches at Siyathemba Township in Dipaleseng Municipality, Simile Township in the Thaba Chweu Municipality and the illegal land invasion near Tekwane South in Mbombela Local Municipality.  Law enforcement agencies must deal with all criminal elements during the protest marches decisively.   Life, private and public property must be protected and respected at all times.

Minister Jeoff Doidge joined the Executive Council to sign a protocol Agreement with Premier Mabuza on the implementation of phase 2 of the Expanded Public Works Programme, and to lobby the province to assist in meeting the national target of a minimum of 500,000 work opportunities before December 2009, and 4 million work opportunities by 2014 as set out by President Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation Address.  

National Government has set aside R 4.1 billion in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework budget (MTEF) of 2009/10 to 2013/2014 to enhance this programme.  The provincial government committed itself to create 161,487 job opportunities by 2014, of which over 19,000 jobs will be created by municipalities in December 2009 in signing the protocol agreement.

The Executive Council engaged Eskom senior management on maximizing job creation and economic growth in the province through the Kusile Power Station infrastructure project, which has a R111bn budget.  Both parties agreed to establish a working matrix that will allow participation of technocrats and stronger Executive oversight.

The Executive Council resolved to publish the new Mpumalanga Economic Development Agency Bill, which seeks to combine the powers and functions of the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA), the Mpumalanga Agricultural Development Council (MADC) and the Mpumalanga Housing Finance Corporation (MHFC). This new entity is expected to accelerate enterprise development and the roll-out massive infrastructure in the province.

Enquiries:

Mabutho Sithole
Spokesperson of the Premier
Mobile: 0823893348
Tel: 013 766 2055
Fax: 013 766 2494
Email: Mabutho@prem.mpu.gov.za

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Mpumalanga Provincial Government

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