Of primary concern to the DA and the FF Plus in the province, is the R13 million allocated to drought relief over the 2019/20 financial year. DA Member of the Provincial Legislature, David van Vuuren, says the province is relying heavily on the national government to fund relief for the farming community which the party feels is insufficient. The province recently declared the Free State a drought disaster area. FF Plus Member of the provincial Legislature, Tammy Wessels, echoed Van Vuuren’s sentiments.

Van Vuuren, in a statement, questions the allocation of more money to the controversial Vrede Diary Project as opposed to directing the money to other service delivery challenges. Wessels notes the drop in conditional grants which she says is a sign that the province cannot manage those grants. One of the departments that have seen a reduction in conditional grants, is the Department of Police, Roads, and Transport.

Finance MEC, Elzabe Rockman, announced that the Provincial Road Maintenance grant has been reduced by an additional amount of R119.5 million. Conditional grants for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) have also been slashed - albeit nationally.

With youth unemployment in the province hovering over 50%, Wessels lamented on why the Department of Economic and Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Destea) continued to underspend on its budget when unemployment is a crisis in the province.

EFF Member of the Provincial Legislature, Mandisa Makesini, could not be reached at the time the story was aired/published.

OFM News