Premier Mabuza’s patience runs out on low spending departments
16 October 2012
Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza says his patience is running out for the departments who are spending low and who have deviated from the agreed plans.
Speaking at the Executive Council Lekgotla in Skukuza in the Kruger National Park today [Tuesday, 16 October 2012] Premier Mabuza said low spending and deviating from agreed plans “postponed the people’s freedom” as they did not get the expected services from government.
He said the spending patterns were dissatisfactory as many departments utilised much of their budgets on accruals incurred in the previous financial year.
“I am taking this on the shoulders of the heads of departments and their MEC’s because it means we go to parliament and lie that we would do this and that, when in actual fact do not do it.
“Our spending is incorrect; certain items have been compromised to deal with issues carried over from the previous financial year. I do not understand why we are failing to spend the money we requested and said we will spend.
“It is unacceptable to come here and make plans but later deviate from them, it means the plans are just a formality because what gets done is different from what was agreed upon,” said Mabuza.
Mabuza explained that some departments failed to spend the grants meant for specific assignments. The Premier also lashed out at the departments for not paying the service providers within 30-days it was time to take action against the individuals who defeated government’s vision of creating jobs and dealing with unemployment.
“This tendency by government officials has a very adverse effect because small business end up closing shop, people losing jobs and government contradicting itself," said the Premier.
He added that he did not understand why government departments did not pay for the services they required from the service providers.
Speaking about budget adjustments, he said he did not expect departments to ask for more money because they were currently not spending well.
“Our people need shelter, poverty is worse out there, people cannot wait any longer, we also cannot fail them any longer, otherwise we are working against ourselves,” said Mabuza.
Issued by Zibonele Mncwango
Spokesperson: Mpumalanga Premier
Tel: (013) 766 – 2453
Mobile: 079 491 0163
E-mail: zmncwango@mpg.gov.za
