Department dismisses claims of broken tractors
It was recently reported that the DA had accused the department of spending R70-million on tractors which are standing idle and broken down.
THE Provincial Department of Agriculture has denied claims of a wasteful expenditure relating to tractors at its Umzumbe offices.
This after the Sunday Tribune recently reported that the DA had accused the department of spending R70-million on tractors that are standing idle and broken down.
According to the Sunday Tribune, the issue came under scrutiny at the provincial legislature last week, when the department was responding to a question posed by the DA regarding the machinery.
About 236 tractors were bought between 2009 and 2016, with an additional 86 tractors donated by the national department.
The department’s spokesman, Khaye Nkwanyana told the Herald that the tractors were currently being repaired ahead of the October planting season.
“We have a service provider that has been employed currently to repair all those tractors.”
He said an additional 84 tractors have been bought by the department to replace tractors that can no longer function.
The Sunday Tribune also reported that chairman of the National African Farmers’ Union, Mandla Buthelezi, pinned this problem on lack of communication between the department and stakeholders.
However, Mr Nkwanyana said the MEC was currently on an extensive consultation process with farmers and tribal authorities.
“We can’t shy away from the fact that farmers have different needs.”
He said, as a department, they were doing their utmost best to address the needs of farmers and “as of the beginning of October, all tractors will be working.”
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