Gauteng budget adjusted upwards
The department's estimated expenditure for the 4th quarter was R245m, but it actually spent R329m or 134% of that amount.
The Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs held its public hearing at Emperor’s Palace on May 11, examining the budgets of provincial government departments for the current financial year, 2023/24.
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The chairperson of the Gauteng provincial legislature portfolio committee on economic development, environment, agriculture and rural development, Refiloe Kekana, opened the meeting.
She further welcomed the MEC, committee support staff, and officials from the department.
Kekana acknowledged all stakeholders from different regions who attended the meeting.
According to Kekana, the purpose of the meeting was to consider presentations on the 4th quarterly performance report for 2022/23 and Provincial Adjustment Appropriation Bill [G004-2023].
Kekana delivered opening remarks on the progress and challenges the program is facing.
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“In terms of our performance, it has improved. However, we are aware that there are some challenges with tenders.
“The department embarked on a land audit to get a sense of the land available to the province. Part of the audit revealed there are agricultural land parcels available.
“We are engaging with municipalities, seeking alternative measures of how we can still do this work because we understand farmers require land,” said Kekana.
According to the HOD, Samu Muringayi the 4th quarterly performance report expands on key successes and achievements, including challenges experienced in the quarter under review.
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“The overall non-financial performance progress for the department is at 80%.
“Administration is at 73%. The department had a total of 145 indicators. Out of that 33 indicators came from administration, of which 24 indicators were achieved.
“Agriculture had a total of 68 indicators. A total of 61 indicators were achieved, so in total agriculture is 90%.
“For environment, we had a total of 44 indicators, of which 31 indicators have been achieved. The environment is at 70%.
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“In terms of EIA applications, the target that we set for ourselves was 100% and we were only able to achieve a total of 89%.
“As a corrective measure, the committee will investigate all the indicators that might affect the performance for 2023/24 financial,” said Muringayi.
She further explained a committee has been established to investigate these indicators.
In response to the presentation, one of the stakeholders Nomvula Maselela, the Women in Water Cooperative spokesperson from Mamelodi East mentioned she noticed the reports lack some information.
“We had a program on March 24, where we were cleaning the stream with our partner Walter Sisulu Environment Centre and teaching youth about water usage.
“We sent an invite to the department and no one responded,” said Maselela.
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Responding to the stakeholders, HOD Loyiso Mkwana said the EPWP program was advertised on all media platforms looking for 6 000 people.
“We received 77 000 applications from all over Gauteng as it is open to everyone.
“We are done recruiting, and it was launched by the premier on May 14 at Elis Park Stadium,” said Mkwana.
According to CFO Rhulani Hlelembe, as he presented the Budget Allocation Report for the 2023/24 financial year, the departmental decreased by -3% in 2023/24 and increased by 4% for the 2024/25 financial years – from R572m to R618m from 2024/25 to the 2025/26 financial year.
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“The amount of R543m is required for prioritized plans and programs in response to the area of focus, R468m budget is allocated for goods and service for the 2023/24 financial year. It has a shortfall of R75m.
“Compensation of employees in the 4th quarter target progress, the department projected expenditure of R136m. They spent R139m, which equates to 102% in the fourth quarter,” said Hlelembe.
In addition, Hlelembe mentioned the Department managed to pay 98% of their invoices within 10 and 15 days and 100% in 30 days for March 2023.
Kekana encouraged the department to attend to farmers that have complained that they had been approved for funding but never received it.
She further thanked the inputs and questions from stakeholders.
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