Another department that is seen as being essential, namely Health, received R12.3 billion for the 2019/20 financial year which may grow to R14.4 billion later in the year. These two departments had to deal with controversial issues including fraud, corruption, and maladministration involving millions of rands in the fifth administration of the province. Previously premier Job Mokgoro, during his state of the province address (Sopa), announced that R1,2 million/billion will be set aside to fight safety matters at schools across the province. 

MEC for Finance, Motlalepula Rosho, today during her provincial budget speech announced that the R12,3 billion allocated to the Health Department that is under national administration will ensure the provision and continuous improvement of health care services in the province.

She further says the allocation will assist in preparing the department for the rollout of the National Health Insurance (NHI) once the bill is passed by parliament.

“The allocation further allows the Department of Health to focus more on the maintenance of health facilities in the province.”

During Sopa last Friday, Mokgoro revealed that at least three criminal cases have been handed over to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) for prosecution in relation to the troubles experienced at the provincial scholar transport system. Mokgoro also announced that five other cases of officials implicated in wrongdoing have been sent to the relevant departments for them to institute disciplinary action against the officials. He said the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is at a very advanced stage with investigations into the Scholar Transport Contracts in the Province.

Other departments’ allocations

The Department of Community Safety and Transport Management received an allocation of R2,265 billion in 2019/20, R2,388 billion for 2020/21 and R2,518 billion for 2021/22. Of this amount, an amount of R412,162 million has been set aside in 2019/20 for learner transport that accumulates to R1,375 billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period.

The Department of Public Works and Roads received R3.2 billion for the 2019/20 financial year, R3,3 billion for 2020/21 and R3.5 billion for the 2021/22 financial year. Given the high level of unemployment in our province, the emphasis of the 6th Administration is decent jobs. During the 2019/20 financial year and going forward, the Department of Public Works and Roads will ensure the promotion of labour-intensive contractor development when implementing infrastructure projects.

The Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism receives R986,4 million for the 2019/20 financial year, R1,026 billion for 2020/21 and R1,082 billion for the 2021/22 financial year. Included in this allocation, is funding for the promotion of tourism from the former Department of Tourism and also funding for environmental services and conservation from the former department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development.

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