North West Legislature Continues with Taking Legislature to the People Programme in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District.

The North West Provincial Legislature concluded the third day of the Taking the Legislature to the People programme (TLTP) in the Legislature Chamber where community members raised various service delivery issues ranging from insufficient support to emerging farmers with agricultural equipment and relevant resources; government’ slow intervention on land disputes between communities and communal property associations (CPA); lack of monitoring and evaluation on agricultural grants given to farmers and water challenges in farming community and lack of economic support to small businesses in communities.

The programme focusing on Ngaka Modiri Molema District themed: “Facilitating Service Delivery and Accountability through effective citizenry participation,” is aimed at creating a platform where Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) engages with community members to hear their concerns on various service delivery issues and discuss possible solutions as well as allow Members of the Executive Council (MECs) from various provincial departments to respond to such issues.
The third day of the programme focused on service delivery issues concerning the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism and the status of financial compliance by municipality through a report that was presented by the Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts and Department of Finance.

Communities raised issues such as Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s lack of monitoring of agricultural support programmes on feeds and equipment to emerging farmers; water challenges in farming community; problem of stock theft where the South African Police Services is not assisting farmers to comprehend suspects and lack of sufficient agricultural land due to over inhabitation by the growing population and economic development programmes in rural communities.

Mr. Tshepiso Matladi from Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality said the Agriculture department should intensify its farmer support programme as more farmers are suffering due to lack of resources. “The department should increase its support programme with supplements; livestock and equipment as more people are into farming due to poor economic conditions after the COVID19 pandemic. Our tribal authorities have land and farms that can be utilised to empower the youth to eradicate poverty and unemployment but government is slow on its support initiatives,” said Mr. Matladi. He also said small crop farmers within rural communities are often overlooked but have a potential to support food security initiatives by government.

Ms. Magdeline Serwe from Ratlou Local Municipality said the Economic Development department should educate and train youth in communities that have mining capabilities. “The government should work with potential investors to ensure that our people are taken to mining schools so that they can also empower themselves and be employed. Mining companies can then be brought to our communities where there are mining prospects,” said Ms. Serwe.

Ms. Alice Tuelo from Ditsobotla Local Municipality said the Economic Development department should consult communities before issuing liquor and related business licenses. “Tavern owners are abusing regulations on their liquor licenses as they operate 24 hours in Bodibe village and there are instances where people have been killed in those outlets. We must be consulted before the licenses are issued as taverns are opened next to schools and churches,” said Ms. Tuelo.

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Hon. Bitsa Lenkopane said both departments should focus on spending of conditional grants and fast track the game transformation programme. “At the Moja Moja Game Breeders where there was supposed to be a donation of 30 buffaloes, only 26 were delivered and some were relocated elsewhere without necessary procedures or licenses. We need the department to fully implement the project and spend the conditional grants aimed at supporting our farmers.

“We have also noted that out of 33 bakeries that were established 5 years ago by the Economic Development department, only 2 are operational,” said Hon. Lenkopane.
SCOPA Chairperson, Hon. Job Dliso said most municipalities in the province are characterised by accountability and service delivery failures, poor governance, week institutional capacity and instability. “Awarding of tenders do not follow proper supply chain management systems and processes, and accounting officers are not always executing their general responsibilities in terms of MFMA and PFMA Section 38 and 51 including addressing weaknesses in internal controls, preventing unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure and taking disciplinary action against transgressors,” said Hon. Dliso.

MEC for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono said the department will continue supporting small emerging farmers and have engaged the Minister of Electricity to exempt farmers from loadshedding as it affects farming for food security in the province. “With regards to issues of stock theft, we have engaged the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management for a plan that will eradicate the problem that is affecting most farmers in the province. Furthermore, the department will meet the Department of Land Reform to address the conflict between CPAs and communities on land issues. We will call another meeting with the CPAs to resolve these serious challenges.

“Our programme on supporting small crop farmers within villages will be intensified in Ratlou and Tswaing Local Municipalities,” said MEC Mohono.
Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism MEC, Virginia Tlhapi said the department has a programme that will ensure empowerment of township and rural economies. “We need to empower small businesses such as tuck shops and bakeries in our villages. With regards to the incomplete Manyane Game reserve project, we have engaged the national Department of Tourism as it implemented the project which had serious challenges. We need the department to guide us on how we can ensure that the project is completed and that our people can benefit,” said MEC Tlhapi.

With regards to the financial support to municipality, Department of Finance MEC, Motlalepula Rosho said the department together with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs have sent joint intervention teams to municipalities for support on financial recovery and revenue enhancement. “EXCO has appointed representatives that will assist municipalities and we plan to do lifestyle audits on officials in supply chain management as they also don’t pay service providers on time. We need consequence management on Bid Committees and Budget and Treasury Offices,” said MEC Rosho.

On Friday, 17 March 2023, the Legislature Speaker, Hon. Basetsana R.S Dantjie will hold a Special House Sitting where members will debate the Taking Legislature to the People Report at 09h00..
The Premier will close the debate by responding to all issues raised by the public during the TLTP programme.
Section 118 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, provincial legislatures are mandated to facilitate public involvement on an open manner and holding its sittings and committees in public.
For more information, contact Namhla Luhabe on 079 527 0628.
Ends