Pretoria – The Mpumalanga Provincial Government has established a commission of inquiry to investigate and report on the living conditions of farm dwellers.
“It will be the duty of this commission to identify critical areas requiring our intervention, including, but not limited to issues related to the protection of human rights, safety, security of tenure, employment, access to housing and basic services, and working conditions,” Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza said.
He said recommendations which will be made by the commission will be used to inform the planning processes of sector departments in order to ensure that the needs of farm dwellers are adequately addressed in the medium to long term.
Speaking on Tuesday during the Office of the Premier’s policy and budget speech, he said the recommendations will also be used to identify the interventions required by the province to address the livelihoods and living conditions of these rural families.
Premier Mabuza said the proposed budget for the financial year 2015/16 amounted to R237 773 000.
Better service delivery model
The province has adopted the Mpumalanga Development Coordinating Model (MDCM) which is aimed at increasing efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.
It will increase coordination and communication amongst different stakeholders and sectors.
“The model also assumes that with increased participation and communication to and from the communities, the understanding of the complexities of service delivery will also improve, thereby reducing the current level of protests and demonstrations amongst our communities,” Premier Mabuza said.
Communities will also be involved in the development process.
The service delivery and development coordination model will be implemented throughout the province in phases, commencing with a 12 month pilot phase.
“We will work with service providers to assist our integrity management and forensic audit units to address and reduce the backlog of fraud, maladministration and corruption cases that currently plagues the province,” Premier Mabuza said.
About 3400 learners have been identified for vocational and artisan training in the hospitality, construction, engineering and manufacturing sectors.
“A further 1000 learners, primarily in the hospitality sector, will benefit from learnerships and work placement programmes,” Premier Mabuza said.
The office of the Premier in Mpumalanga has also employed the services of expert transaction advisors to perform a comprehensive diagnosis of how best the province can employ Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to support the province’s transformation agenda.
“This diagnosis has culminated in the development of a Provincial ICT strategy / Master Plan that details specific ICT programs and projects that will deliver on the Provincial ICT vision.
“We have also begun to explore the ways in which appropriately applied ICTs can reduce overall administrative costs for the Province,” Premier Mabuza said. – SAnews.gov.za
