Tourism budget in Mpumalanga to be increased
Mr Pat Ngomane announced that the sector’s budget will be increased by R1 108 754.
Mr Bosman Grobler, DA-spokesman on finance and economic development in Mpumalanga, issued a press release on Wednesday, 18 November about the tourism industry.
The Standerton Advertiser published the views of the party in its edition of 20 November, where the budget cut of about R40-million was mentioned.
According to the latest statement, tourism is to be the winner as government increased the budget.
The statement said that after the Department of Finance and Economic Development’s reduction of the budget, the MEC, Mr Pat Ngomane, announced that the sector’s budget will be increased by R1 108 754.
The announcement was made during the recent tabling of the Mpumalanga Adjustment Budget.
The DA also welcomed the decision to increase the food relief fund (food parcels) by R40-million.
“Although this increase should bring much needed relief to thousands of residents who are truly dependent on this for survival, the DA is concerned that these food parcels will be used for political scoring by the politically connected,” Mr Grobler said.
According to the statement, Mr Ngomane reduced the Department of Health’s budget by R620-million.
Another concern for the party is that public healthcare facilities were already unable to cope before Covid-19 hit.
In conclusion, Mr Bosman said the budget of the agriculture sector was reduced by R39.7-million.
