NELSPRUIT – The provincial executive council has conveyed its condolences to the bereaved families of the 11 people who have drowned due to flooding in the province to date.
The statement followed a meeting by premier Mr David Mabuza’s cabinet yesterday. A special political and technical four-member team will also be dispatched to Nkomazi, Mkhondo and Bushbuckridge municipalities, the areas most affected by the heavy rain of the past week to assess the extent of the damage.
Cabinet was also briefed on the status of the province’s takeover of Matikwana Hospital, located in Mkhuhlu just outside Hazyview.
The Mpumalanga government is taking over the hospital’s operation from Life Esidimeni. In anticipation of a smooth hand-over, the provincial department of health has developed a takeover plan which includes setting aside an operational budget of R155 million for the hospital. The organisational structure of the facility has also been reviewed and aligned to other district hospitals’ structures.
The Department of Health relies on the current Life Esidimeni personnel to be offered employment and continue rendering services as from the beginning of April.
Cabinet also tasked the Mpumalanga Gambling Board to commission an economic study around the province in an effort to award the fourth and final casino licence to a suitable bidder in an appropriate place.
The gambling board was allocated four casino licenses in terms of the National Gambling Act of which it has successfully rolled out and licenced three casinos thus far. These are Emnothweni, The Ridge in Nkangala and Graceland in Gert Sibande districts.
An economic study will assist the executive council to provide guidance on the next venue for the casino licence based on economic spinoffs and benefits for the communities.
