Statement by the Executive Council after its meeting held

30 January 2008

The Executive Council met in Nelspruit for its first sitting of the year on Wednesday 30 January 2008.

The Executive Council discussed at length the disturbing reoccurrences and outbreaks of diarrhea in the province. Since the start of the rainy season disturbing incidences of the outbreaks were experienced in a number of places, including Delmas and Lekwa municipalities.

The Executive Council has comprehensively prioritized to address these challenges in collaboration with the municipalities. This will include addressing matters of water quality, sanitation and compliance to environmental factors.

The Executive Council also agreed that the environmental health capacity should be enhanced in the province, including clarifying the roles of various spheres to avoid overlaps. Municipalities will have to revive and strengthen environmental health inspection and environmental management capacities at a local level. Environmental awareness and education need to be intensified. Issues of water purification, waste and sewer management will have to be priorities henceforth. Municipalities shall have to maximize the use of water quality monitoring service in collaboration with the Department of Water and Forestry Affairs.

Meanwhile the province shall conduct an audit on the capacity of municipalities to respond to the health-threatening challenges of the province. The audit is to cover institutional capacity, skills base, infrastructural capability, as well as ability to mobilize appropriate resources to deal with this situation. Such an audit shall culminate in a provincial workshop to consolidate the findings and develop an action plan towards strengthening the municipalities and building necessary infrastructure and maintenance capacity.

The Executive Council endorsed the assumption of responsibility by the Department of Local Government and Housing according to Section 139 (1)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No.108 of 1996) as amended in the Mbombela Local Municipality.

The Executive Council received the request by the Mbombela municipality to invoke Section 139. This assumption of responsibility by the Department of Local Government and Housing will address the following issues:

• Municipal transformation and institutional development
• Municipal infrastructure and service delivery
• Local economic development
• Municipal financial viability and management and
• Good governance

The Executive Council received and discussed the second quarter Governance and Criminal Justice Cluster report. It applauded its achievements. These include:

• 266 senior managers who have completed their module1 course in management capacity building
• 206 learners graduated from the learnership programme and 72 have secured employment. The Executive Council expressed concern for those still unemployed.
• 84% of managers have signed their performance agreement. The Executive Council indicated that 100% must be the target.
• All the 21 municipalities have municipal managers and chief financial officers
• The Department of Local Government and Housing has exceeded its target of 858 by 300% of completing unfinished houses.
• The Department of Finance presented a 9 months Infrastructure Delivery in Provincial Departments Report. The report focuses on submissions of infrastructure plans, status quo situation for the 2007-08 tenders; expenditure and cash flows in the main departments who have huge budgets on infrastructure construction and maintenance.
• This report is important for planning purposes for the provincial government to monitor and evaluate expenditure and to ensure that departments do not under or overspend on their budgets.

The Executive Council approved the following appointments:

• Mr. Isaiah Khoza as head of department in the Department of Safety and Security. He is currently general manager in the Department of Roads and Transport.
• Mr. Charles Magagula as general manager (chief director): policy, planning, monitoring and evaluation in macro policy in the Office of the Premier. He is currently senior manager (director) in the same department and has acted as general manager of this unit.
• Ms Nancy Zandile Ngobeni as senior manager maintenance in the Department of Public works. She is currently employed in the same department as senior project manager in building maintenance.
• Ms Lindiwe Dlamini as general manager for professional services and project management in the Department of Public Works. She is currently employed as senior manager in Public Works in the Limpopo province.
• Ms Ntobizodwa Rose Mzangwe as the senior manager: human resources management in the Department of Roads and Transport. She is currently acting in the same position.
• Ms VM Modisane as senior manager: technical services in the Department of Local Government and Housing. She is currently senior manager in the Department of Health and Social Services.

Enquiries:
Lebona Mosia
Tel: 013 766 2244
Cell: 082 561 6465

Issued by: Office of the Premier