Speech by the honourable mec s.p. Mabilo on the occasion of the 2013/14 budget vote 3 at the provincial legislature in kimberley, northern cape province 27 March 2013
Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Premier of the Northern Cape Province, Ms. Sylvia Lucas
Members of the Executive Council
Members of the Provincial Legislature
Lieutenant – General J. Basson
All Major Generals
Veterans of the MKMVA
Dikgosi
Distinguished guests
Comrades and Friends
Ladies and Gentleman
INTRODUCTION
“A fair observer only has to ask: if there is violence, who profits?”-by Jack Schwartz
It is a great honour and privilege for me to once again stand on this platform to deliver to you another budget vote for the department of Transport, safety and Liaison for the financial year 2013/2014.
Honourable Speaker, This year as a nation we are celebrating the 19th anniversary of our hard earned democracy. To date the ANC-led government has made remarkable strides in our quest to turn around the fortunes of our people towards a better life for all.
We remain cognisant that for the majority of our people, hopes and aspirations for a better life will be realised as our government delivers on its mandate.
Whilst on the one hand we are able to reflect on the considerable gains and achievements we have accomplished thus far, we are also equally aware of many families who are yet to benefit from our programs of Public Transport, Safety and Security. This is our area of focus, and remains our mission.
As we begin the second centenary of the African National Congress, and as we reflect on our democratic dispensation, it is imperative and opportune for us to accelerate social transformation programmes.
Our programs and activities are also intended to respond to the triple challenge of Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment, hence our department will actively participate in government infrastructural development programmes in the Province.
Temporary Jobs will be created through construction, thus providing much needed relief to poverty stricken families, as a consequence of massive infrastructural activities, such as Sishen Saldahna, Hotazel Nqoega projects.
Honourable Speaker, Let me remind this house of an important commitment, which is relevant to this department made by our President Jacob Zuma, when he delivered his Inaugural State of the Nation Address, and I quote:
“Starting from 2009, government will have spent about R860 Billion on infrastructure. Various projects are being implemented around the country, I will just discuss a few” To improve the transportation of iron ore and open up the West Coast of the country.
We have expanded the rail capacity through the delivery of 11 locomotives “the first phase of the expansion, to increase iron ore port capacity at Saldanha Bay to 60 million tones per annum.
During this Budget Speech, we urge our people to remember where the country comes from, and we must reject those who claim to have fought the struggles from the luxuries of an all-white party.
“Go Botlhoka gore batho ba rona ba se ka ba lebala gore ke mang ore ntshitsheng mo le Lefatsheng la Egepeto. Re tshwanetse re sa lebala gore tlala ,lehuma ,botlhoka tiro,tshotlego le go tlhoka tlhabologo e maleba ke ka ntlha ya mmuso wa tlhaolele le kgatelelo wa ba mmala,Ka ga jalo re tshwanetse re nete hatshe gore gare tsiediwe ka maaka a matala.”
Honourable Speaker,“Dit moet beklemtoon word dat ons mense nooit weer terug Egipte toe sal keur nie. Ons en sons kinders se toekoms le in hierdie ANC Regering ,ons bevestig dat ons nooit n vout sal began nie, kortliks ons is duidelik waar ons staan.
The province has in the last year witnessed a number of horrific incidents and brutal acts visited on young people and girls, such as the rape of a 3 year old child, a 7 year old raped victim by a 68 year old man, a grandmother of 70 years and a mentally 16 year old, brutally raped.
The strengthening of social cohesion in our communities is undoubtedly high on the agenda of the work we are doing this financial year in the department. We will henceforth deepen our social crime prevention initiatives; tighten the content of our community mobilisation and messaging.
These incidents happen against the backdrop of the important gains we have made in fighting other forms of crime. Whilst we commended the good work done by the department and our partners against crime such as the CPF, YAC, Women Against Crime etc.
Although we must now prioritise the fight against women and children abuse, we will not take our eyes off the trio crimes as we must build on the successes recorded in 2012/2013 to make our communities even safer.
The department’s budget remains rooted in our six out puts, namely:
Reduction in violent crimes
Reduction in crimes against women and children
Crime perception management
Effectiveness and integration of the criminal justice system
Reduction in corruption, and
Reduction in road fatalities
Honourable Speaker, permit us to outline our programme of action for the 2013/2014 financial year. We would also like to share our strategic vision and focus on the priority of fighting crime and corruption in the province.
“I cannot teach you violence, as I do not myself believe in it. I can only teach you not to bow your heads before any one even at the cost of your life.” Mahatma Gandhi
Reducing trio crimes
“Motsoalle oa lesholu ke lesholu”
The notable progress made in fighting the triple crimes of house robbery, business robbery and vehicle hijacking is an indication of this government’s resolve to make our communities safe, and ensure they also feel safe. It is especially these crimes that we must drive downwards as they account for the most fear in communities.
We are convinced that once our citizens are able to lead their lives without the threat of being violated in their homes, vehicles and places of work, positive perceptions and high levels of confidence in our law enforcement agencies will be strengthened.
In this regard the department will continue to, and strengthen our oversight activities at station level to realise better performance. We will focus our efforts on the 32 worst performing station across the province, who also collectively account for the majority of crimes committed in the province.
Reducing crimes against women and children
“Induku ayinamzi”
As I indicated above, recent incidents in the province have again brought to sharp focus the need for us to step up our interventions, both preventative and punitive, in order to arrest the scourge of women and child abuse. We have a responsibility, together with our social partners and other spheres of government, to ensure young people are nurtured in a responsible environment so they can become responsible adults and future leaders.
Promotion of Youth Safety
“Mammello e tsoala katleho”
The department will focus on increasing the participation and involvement of young people in crime prevention initiatives through the Youth Crime Prevention initiative in partnership with the Youth Against Crime in all police stations, clusters and provincial levels.
The department will implement social crime prevention activities addressing crime challenges in all areas across the Province. Young people will also be engaged through Seminars, Imbizo’s and dialogues in finding solutions to crime challenges within the province.
Focus will also be given to youth at risk and those in conflict with the law. The department will conduct an analysis of the profiles of youth in conflict with the law, design and implement appropriate interventions for them. This will be done through our in-house research unit in the department.
Special Youth Programme
In the spirit of the recently signed National Youth accord; we commit ourselves to engage the POSLEC SETA to provide accredited social crime prevention training for a total of 250 young people.
The express purpose of this programme is to implement social crime prevention projects at police station level.
Alcohol and drug abuse prevention
Honourable Speaker, together with our sister departments and other social partners, the department will strive to implement the programmes which are aimed at addressing the increasing challenges of alcohol and substance abuse in communities through awareness raising and capacity building.
The following activities will be undertaken during this financial year:
Liquor enforcement operations targeting problematic shebeens and taverns will be co-ordinated.
Coordination of school safety searches targeting problematic schools
Substance Abuse Awareness campaigns and talks in schools; partnership with relevant stakeholders.
Facilitate Correctional service visits by learners and youths as part of the new initiative.
10 liquor education campaigns targeting liquor traders will be co-ordinated with the Liquor Board and other social partners.
Prevention of violence against women and children.
“Nothing good ever comes of violence”-Martin Luther
The department will coordinate and implement initiatives geared towards reducing and preventing violent crimes against vulnerable groups (women, children and people with disabilities).
Furthermore, the department will partner with the progressive men movement which is aimed at advocating for and promoting the participation of men and boys in preventing men abuse in the Province. (This structure is very active in the province and has embarked on a number of activities since their inception).
New Local Anti-Crime Initiatives
“lesholu ke le ts’oeroeng”
Our department is committed to the principle of working smarter,faster and diligently.
In the context of doing things differently,as the MEC responsible for Transport, Safety and Liaison, I will embark on the following new initiatives, programmes,activities and campaigns that will be launched during this current financial year:
Safety Awareness workshops in all Districts in the Province; targeting youth, women and children with disabilities.
Child Safety Promotion Workshops.
Establishment of the Gender Based Violence Prevention Forum at Local,Regional and Provincial level.
Establishment of the Elderly Safety Forum.
Safety Awareness Workshops for people with disabilities.
Promotion of School Safety
Safety in general and in schools in particular, remains the core mandate of the department of Transport, Safety and Liaison,
As the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, we commit ourselves to review, assess, evaluate the impact of the current school safety programmes in the province in partnership with the Education department and other social partners.
The school safety program is aimed at designing and implementing an integrated framework approach to all aspects of school safety and security. The program further coordinates and sets up structures to implement and monitor the school safety programmes.
The programmes are supposed to be undertaken in partnership with the Department of Education and SAPS.
However, we must be honest and frank that we have not being doing very well. We regard this development as a serious challenge to be attended to.
The following activities will be undertaken:
Facilitating the development of school safety plans and the establishment of safety teams together with the Education department and other partners.
Joint Monitoring the implementation of school safety plans
Coordinating Quarterly Provincial Implementation Committee Workshops- on school safety.
Conducting Child Safety Awareness campaigns.
Explore the possibility of introducing School Safety Ambassadors in consultation with the Education department and other social partners.
Unannounced School searches will be embarked upon in all the problematic schools.
Partnership with Municipalities
In the main crime takes place within our communities at a local level, which has an impact on the overall safety and security at the level of the streets and generally the ward.
Therefore, all inhabitants generally must be concerned about the state of crime in their respective streets and wards. It is our considered view that there must be a paradigm shift in how we perceive the crime patterns in our areas.
Mainstreaming and co-ordination of social crime prevention in municipalities is going to be our priority this time around.
The use of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process to identify and to integrate safety efforts in each municipality is going to be encouraged as key to developing safety interventions on the scale and quality required to reduce crime to assist them in using the IDP process to integrate safety issues and have them reflected in a manner that promotes further integration and enhances government accountability on safety issues.
In strengthening the capacity of local government in social crime prevention work, the department will undertake the following during this financial year.
The development and implementation of regional social crime prevention plans with municipalities
Conduct social crime prevention training workshops
Coordinate quarterly social crime prevention workshops
Facilitating the support and strengthening of Community Safety Forums
We want to see a more robust and practical involvement of all public representatives at Local level, such as Ward and PR Councillors,Mayors,Speakers,Chief Whips,Proffesionals in the fight against crime and corruption.
KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD CAMPAIGN
Contact crime
“There are more pleasant things to do than beat up people”-Muhammad Ali
Contact Crime is one of the most prevalent and difficult category of crime to be prevented. It mostly occurs between people who know each other, at a residential level behind close doors.
Honourable Speaker, allow me to briefly quote Les Brown on the issue of fear “Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears”
Building communities that are intolerant to anti-social and criminal behaviour, requires that our existing partnerships with communities take on a different dimension.
As a first step, we must acknowledge that one of the key alliance partners in our broad liberation movement, came up with the most strategic initiative termed “KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD CAMPAIGN” which was launched a few years ago, as a progressive revolutionary programme aimed at contributing towards a cohesive, tolerant and vigilant society.
Unfortunately this noble programme was never sustained. It is in this context that this very important initiative must not be lost to society.
We commit ourselves as a department to re-launch this programme as part of our anti-crime drive in the province.
Community Outreach Programmes
During the period under review, the department has embarked on numerous community outreach programmes in Siyanda, Pixley Ka Seme, Francis Baard, John Taole Gaetsewe- Henningvlei and Namakwa Region.
Through this programme we managed to interface with the public and also provided them with a platform to raise their fears, concerns, aspirations and how best to solve the challenges identified.
For this financial year, we commit ourselves to roll-out more community Outreach programmes in the following regions:
Pixley Ka Seme: De aar,Colesburg,Noupoort,Petrusville,Richmond and surrounding farms.
Frances Baard: Richie,Delportshoop,Barkly West,Hartswater,Jan Kempdorp, Galeshewe ,Roodepan ,Greenpoint ,Jankemp Dorp, Warrenton Warrenvale and other areas.
Namakwa: Poffader,Springbok,Concordia,Gharies, Pella,Sutherland, Calvinia,Williston,Nieuwoudsville, Hondeklip Baai ,Klipfontein,Port Nolloth and other areas.
Siyanda:Upington,Pabalelo,Kakamas,Keimoes,Kenhardt,Danielskuil,Postmansburg and all other areas.
John Taole Gaetsewe: Heuningsvlei,Gamopedi,Batlharos,Mothibistad,Bothitong,Kathu,Gamagarand all other areas.
Deepening the “Know your Neighbourhood Campaign” through localising the programme, working with municipalities will again be the pillar of our community outreach programmes.
Awareness Campaigns will be rolled out in all regions of the Province.
We will further localise it and formally launch it in all our communities in the next two months from this budget Speech. All Stake holders will be invited to actively participate in the launch. Our clarion call to the community is: “don’t be passive, or spectators on the safety and security of our communities”.
Street Committees
In encouraging community participation in the fight against crime the department will coordinate the establishment of street committees throughout the province.
Community Police Forums
Community Police Forums continue to occupy the central space in efforts to provide leadership to communities in the fight against crime. In this financial year the department will continue to assist and support Community Police Fora, Cluster Boards and the Provincial Board. The department will also develop and implement an Oversight model for CPFs in the Clusters affected more by crime.
training and accreditation of CPF will be prioritised during this period.
SAPS matters in the province
Honourable Speaker, I would now like to report on progress made since the last budget speech presentation.
Crime Statistics
We are proud to announce the following achievements in line with our core mandate, that during the previous financial year our province has performed extremely well in the fight against crime and corruption, we have experienced a substantial decrease in the overall crime categories in the province.
SAPS in the province continues to score positively in the fight against crime as contained in the crime statistics and supported by all other independent role players. Key to all this has been the strategic partnership, we build with key role players.
Once more, we would urge everyone in the province to play a complimentary and supporting role to the men and women in blue in ensuring that all of us are, and feel safe.
Total number of Police Recruits
One hundred and twenty eight (128) police officers were recruited and are still undergoing training of which 9 were reservists; Fifty six (56) security guards were employed(all of them were reservists);
Capacity Building
The Provincial Tracking/Tracing Unit was established on 18 December 2012 comprising of one (1) commander and twenty three(23) members;
Twenty three (23) posts were filled to capacitate Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units;
Increased the number of Kimberley Tactical Response Team (TRT) members from thirty four (34) to forty nine(49);
Forty (40) new Forensic Analysts: Crime Scene Investigation were appointed. This will enhance our forensic services and reduce workload on the members;
During the 2012/13 financial year, two hundred and thirty two (232) vehicles and four (4) motorbikes were bought;
Nine (9) Posts on MMS (Colonel) level were filled and six (6) posts on SMS (Brigadier) level
Success record at all our border posts
During the 2012/2013 financial year, eight hundred and one (801) arrests were made at the Border Posts and Borderline. The breakdown of these arrests are as follows:
Twenty eight (28) arrests of transnational wanted suspects;
One hundred and eighty four (184) arrests associated with serious crime;
Seventy (70) arrests of illegal foreigners in terms of travel documentation related offences;
Five hundred and forty eight (548) arrests were those of minor cases.
The total value of recoveries in the Ports of Entry environment was R 145 089 09-49 o hundred including R 155 650 for J534’s issued.
The total seizures were one hundred and seventy six (176). These seizures include firearms, ammunition, vehicles, illegal goods and drugs.
Six hundred and twenty nine (629) operations were directed and coordinated and 48 roadblocks were conducted.
Renovations of Police Stations
Police Stations and houses that were repaired and renovated in 2012/13
PROJECTS
Devolved Stations
Status
Hartswater - Cell grills Completed
Witdraai - Repairs at cells and houses.
Disabled toilet
Completed
Phillipstown - Repairs at station. Paint and Tiling Completed
Pofadder - Repairs Completed
Noupoort - Replacement of fence Completed
Strydenburg - Replacement of tiles, paving, painting Completed
Kuyasa - Repairs Completed
Belmont - Replacement of fence Completed
Campbell - Replacement of fence Completed
Brandvlei - Repairs Completed
Port Nolloth - Repairs Completed
Vioolsdrift - Repairs Completed
Stations and Houses
Barkly West (station & houses) Completed
Postmasburg (station & houses) Completed
Kimberley: Hull Street married quarters Completed
SAPS Social Responsibility
The Deputy Minister of Police launched the School Based Crime Prevention programme and the Provincial Youth mass mobilization campaign in the Northern Cape; SAPS established a Youth desk at Provincial level which will be rolled out to all the Stations;
The Department has sixty two (62) fully functional Victim Support Facilities;
Sectors were established at seventy eight (78) stations, thirteen (13) stations still need to establish sectors;
The SAPS intend to establish a Partnership with Progressive Men’s movement South Africa in order to address issues relating to men in the society and also the role of the Father towards the boy Child in the Society as they are mostly the perpetrators of Crime;
The Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy will be implemented during this financial year. Its focus will be on the reduction of robberies, housebreaking, rape and stock theft and also rural safety;
Service Delivery protest in the Province
Hundred and twenty six (126) Service Delivery Protests were policed for 2012/2013 financial year at the cost of R 11 649 094.
Critical Strategic Matters for 2013/2014
Crime Prevention
The Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy will be implemented during this financial year. Its focus will be on the reduction of robberies, housebreaking, rape and stock theft and also rural safety;
The SAPS intend to establish a Partnership with Progressive Men’s movement Northern Cape in order to address issues relating to men in the society and also the role of the Father towards the boy Child in the Society as they are mostly the perpetrators of Crime;
Establishment of the Human Trafficking team which is responsible for creating awareness on Human Trafficking at the ports of Entry and Community awareness.
Detectives
Capacitating of Provincial Detectives, Stock Theft Unit, Vehicle Identification Services (VIS) and Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units; Capacitating of appointed members with relevant training.
Complete the resourcing of Stock Theft and FCS Units.
Supply Chain Management
Purchasing of two hundred and five (205) mobile radios for police vehicles;
Improvement of radio communication; CCTVs to be repaired.
Police Stations and houses that will be repaired and renovated in 2013/14, this indicator is however subjected to MTEF Financial framework.
Reducing fatalities
The primary objective of this programme is to reduce road fatalities in this province; the target for this financial year is to reduce fatalities by 10% in line with the Millennium Development Goals as adopted by the United Nations (UN). In line with the UN, signatories to this declaration should reduce road traffic fatalities by 50% by the year 2014 which has been converted to a 10% reduction annually.
This programme implements law enforcement activities, road safety awareness and educational programmes including refresher training to traffic officers in an effort to decrease the number of fatalities on Northern Cape roads.
Road fatalities
We are proud to announce the following achievement:
Road fatalities in the Province for the period under review has substantially been reduced, in nutshell it simply means that our road safety programmes and interventions are yielding the expected results
However, we will not be complacent but will rather intensify all our activities
Road Traffic Law Enforcement
Honourable Speaker,
Often the effectiveness and success of traffic law enforcement is reduced to the impact on statistics, which is whether they have increased or decreased. Whilst that is an important measure of our effectiveness, visible traffic law enforcement, like visible policing in general, should also be assessed on violations disrupted which could have resulted in fatalities.
These operations will be carried out across the province and all categories of vehicles will be targeted, including public passenger and freight vehicles.
A concerted effort has also been dedicated to monitoring situations of conflict and violence within the taxi industry. In this regard meetings were held with various taxi associations to proactively address possible conflict and amicably resolve potential conflict and violence
Intake of traffic officials
For almost four years, our department has not recruited new traffic officials. We committed ourselves to recruit 50 traffic officers in the past, however due to budgetary constraints we have been unable to implement this commitment. The province has a huge backlog of traffic officials. The department is exploring all avenues in this regard to achieve our objective.
In the interim we have managed to employ 13 contract workers as traffic wardens to absorb the pressure of lack of traffic personnel.
Programme 1: Administration
Financial Management
Honourable Speaker, Settling of creditors within 30 days from the date of receipt of the tax invoice
As the department, we commit ourselves to stick to the 30 days payment of invoices. However, we call on all service providers to comply with supply chain processes to avoid unnecessary delays.
All outstanding payments will be settled in the prescribed timeframe.
Revenue Collection
The department of Transport, Safety and Liaison remains the highest revenue collector in the province and we contribute positively towards the provincial fiscus, During the previous financial year, we managed to collect R38 Million, this was more than the projected figure, we regard this as a remarkable achievement for the province.
The revenue management section remains key and strategic.It is our belief that we can significantly increase our revenue collection capacity.
Focus areas on revenue
First and foremost we will beef up the staff in the revenue section in terms of increasing the numbers of warm bodies, ensuring that we recruit competent and technical people.
Adequate attention should be given to reconciliation of municipal accounts, traffic fines from magistrate courts, abnormal loads and personalized plates from help desk.
Reviewing of current SLA with municipalities and drafting of MOA with the magistrates.
Corporate Services
The overall management of our human resources has become a key focus area for the Department and, under different initiatives and interventions, the following job opportunities were created, for this period under review.
Thirteen (13) out of twenty six (26) contract workers were absorbed permanently into the Department during the 2012/2013 financial year and were placed within different units in accordance to their skills sets. The Department has also added another six (6) contract workers to the thirteen (13) which adds up to a total of nineteen (19) currently on the system.
Programme 2: Civilian Oversight
Monitoring and evaluation through monitoring tool and recommendation on access to justice
The Directorate, as part of their core functions has conducted the National Monitoring and Evaluation Tool’s (NMET) evaluations at police stations and follow-ups on the previous monitoring tools were done.
These evaluations mainly focused on the performance of the different units of the SAPS at police stations, including specialised units.
These evaluations also looked in particular into the types of crimes and the generators thereof.
The outcomes, normally results into the development and implementation plans for the recommendations made and these plans were send to the affected police stations and the provincial offices of SAPS for implementation.
A key service delivery focus area, with effect from 1 April 2012 was to handle and investigate community complaints. For the period under review the following seventy eight (78) community complaints were investigated and completed.
Conducting community Surveys and Research
In order to assess the perceptions of crime within communities, the directorate conducted a survey in the Rosedale community.
The overall finding of the Rosedale Communities is that they feel safe and are satisfied with the services that SAPS is rendering to them.
An Impact study showed the following from 91 Police Stations
That most Saps stations in the province understand the role and responsibilities of the department.
Most of these stations had successful interventions with the department, further joint programmes between Saps and the Department will be enhance.
Programme 3: Social Crime Prevention and Community Police Relations
EPWP SAFETY VOLUNTEERS:
The Department has also worked on the achievement of the Governments initiative regarding the EPWP projects concerning job creation and skills development .
Training that was provided was to built capacity amongst these volunteers, as part of their exit strategy.
A certification ceremony was held on December 13, 2012 for the 35 learners who completed the General Security Practice Skills Programmes 1 and 2.
Programme 4: Transport matters in the province
Background
The Northern Cape is a vast province and present unique challenges in terms of transport, these challenges are further augmented by the fact that the province does not have well developed industries especially secondary or tertiary industries i.e. manufacturing and banking services.
However the province is well endowed in mineral resources, most notably manganese and Iron Ore. The latter has a dedicated rail corridor running between Sishen and Saldanha bay which moves in excess of 50 million tonnes of ore per annum and it is being expanded.
There are also plans to develop a manganese corridor from the Kalahari Basin to the Port of Ngqura, this is due to the expectant increase in demand for manganese, which is expected to exceed 21 million tonnes by 2015.
The agricultural industry is also an important contributor to the provincial economy. Grapes, wheat barley, maize, are some of the products produced in the province.
The Northern Cape is also a strategic corridor for trade between Namibia and South Africa, the value of cargo passing on this corridor to and from Namibia are estimated at R12 Billion per annum, with over 3000 trucks recorded per month on this corridor.
Rail transport used to play an integral role in the movement of commodities on this corridor with 2 trains a day but has since decreased to about 2 trains a week if any at all.
Port Nolloth which is well positioned to be a commercial port on the west coast could provide much needed relief to some industries in the province particularly Agriculture, it could also serve as a stimulant for trade in the west coast which could provide new markets for some of our produce.
The Transport Department understands the critical role that Transport (both Freight and Passenger) plays in the development of our economy. We have over the past 2 years invested on a number of projects albeit at feasibility study level, these are:
The Development of Port Nolloth
The Douglas – Belmont Rail Line
The De Aar Logistics Hub
The Upington Air hub, on the passenger transport side we have
The Scholar Bus
And Subsidised Bus Public Transport
We are therefore pleased to report on progress of the above as follows:
PORT NOLLOTH
Since the Transport conference that was held in 2011 where we invited potential investors to express interest in the provincial Transport projects.
We are pleased to report that we have had an overwhelming response on the Port Nolloth project to an extent that we have already started engaging a potential investor who is willing to put up the funding to the tune of R40 Billion to set up the port and rail infrastructure.
This represent a key milestone in our endeavours, The Department has as a result consulted Transnet, The National Department of Transport, The South African Maritime Safety Authority,
The Port Regulator and The Department of Public Enterprise in an effort to ensure that the project is supported.
We have received a lot of support in this regard particularly from Transnet and SAMSA. We are therefore confident that with support from the Provincial Administration Port Nolloth will become a reality and no longer a pipe dream.
BELMONT – DOUGLAS RAIL LINE
Transnet has invested in excess of R13 million rands to resuscitate operations on this line. This line serves as an important tributary on the provincial rail network in that it links the Agricultural hub of Douglas and hinterlying areas to the main rail network.
This effort is expected to induce more traffic onto rail as this mode is by far the most economical mode of transport particularly to the Agricultural communities.
Again, The Department of Transport plays an important role in that we have amongst others impressed upon Transnet that we would want to see local BBEEE participation on this venture and negotiations are at an advanced stage in this regard and expect that the line should be operational by the first half of 2014.
THE DE AAR LOGISTICS HUB
We at the Department of Transport are very keen and optimistic about this project, and we believe that this is our Transport Trump card.
The project itself has the potential of creating an Inland Transport Mecca for various industries and supply chains traversing through our province.
The Cape (carrying various FMCG products between Western Cape and Gauteng).Namibian (various products between the inland parts of the country and Namibia, with an estimated annual value of R12 billion), Eastern Cape (mostly mining produce destined to Port Elizabeth and some automotive components) corridors to mention a few.
The Department commissioned a study in 2011 which set out to identify opportunities and the feasibility of this project.
We are pleased to announce that the project is viable on the provision that we as the Provincial Leadership commits to it, our commitment in this regard would come in the form of consensus to ensuring that the School Nutrition Programme becomes a key stimulant to this project by establishing a food processing industry that will serve to feed our Children in all the schools throughout the province.
Furthermore Transnet is willing to invest in resuscitating their engineering rail yard in DE Aar which further augments the value of the project.
We have made submissions to the NCOP and we have engaged the Education, Economic and various clusters regarding this initiative and we have had positive feedback on it.
The Department will therefore invest money on a project to produce a bankable business plan for the School Nutrition at the hub and detailed plans for the facility in the 2nd half of 2013, our aim in this regard is to ensure that the project is launched within the 1st quarter of 2014.
SCHOLAR BUS
Colleagues the above has been a contentious issue since it has been transferred to the Department.
I as the MEC of the Department is pleased to announce that, contrary to the shenanigans that played out during the beginning of the year, we have been looking at means to make this a more efficient and value adding endeavour to our communities and people.
To this extent, we have been conducting a pilot project since July 2012 on systems to use for the monitoring of buses.
This we intended to implement as soon as we had all the information (including school databases, number of children, geographic locations, etc) that will allow us to go out on a tender.
It is my submission and commitment that the monitoring and tracking of school buses will be a reality before the end of 2013.
In this manner we will eradicate ghost operators, ensure that our people get the value that they deserve and furthermore ensure that our service providers conforms to the regulations regarding transport.
SUBSIDISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The Department as with the Scholar Transport will also investigate means of electronic monitoring for the subsidised public transport operators.
This is also done to ensure compliance, service to our communities and value for money.
Transport Operations
As part of its mandate of providing safe, accessible and affordable transport to communities, the Transport Operations Directorate is currently subsidizing 295 323.76km in the Northern Cape Province in the form of six contracts, of which 3 are in the Frances Baard district, 1 in John Taolo Gaetsewe district and 2 in Namakwa district.
In addition to these subsidized services, we have managed 210 Scholar Transport Contracts by providing learner transport to 22 292 learners per month, throughout the Province.
The Department Of Transport, Safety And Liaison is aware of the current challenges pertaining to scholar transport in the province. We have put plans in place to attend to all the shortcomings in scholar transport.
In giving effect to our Transport Planning responsibilities, we have appointed service providers for the development of the Provincial Land Transport Framework, which outlines transport programmes and sets the provincial Transport Agenda for the next five years.
Coupled to this planning responsibility, we have assisted all District Municipalities to establish District Transport Technical Committees and developed Terms of Reference and Guidelines for them for the development of their Integrated Transport Plans.
Project Management Unit
The Project Management Unit has been appointed to drive the four key transport projects to dire logical conclusion within the specified timeframe.
The PMU and Department are working closely with Transnet National Ports Authority in the development of a Ports Development Framework Plan for Port Nolloth;
Maritime Matters in the Province
Honourable Speaker; Sometimes, in fact, many times, we in the Province of the Northern Cape forget that ours is a Coastal Province, a Maritime Province with a long coastline, many square kilometres of inland waterways and one of the country’s 8 commercial ports – Port Nolloth.
It is an established fact that countries and provinces with such a diverse and rich maritime profile have been known to use their waters to create wealth, promote marine sports and recreation, as well as contribute to the knowledge and research about the marine eco-systems.
In the last 2 years, under the leadership of the MEC for Transport, in partnership with Transnet and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) we have taken up the challenge of positioning our Province of the Northern Cape as a Maritime Province.
This is done by pursuing primarily 4 areas of immediate interests:
First, it is the development of the port of Port Nolloth into a fully fledged commercial port with the ability to attract investments, promote port industrial activity and create jobs. I must commend Transnet and SAMSA on this initiative.
Second, it is to identify, create and promote clusters of economic and social enterprises, starting with offshore industries including re-establishing the Province as a key player in fisheries and aqua-culture, positioning the Province as a Center of Excellence in offshore and river-based mineral resource exploitation, coastal and inland waterways based marine tourism focussed on marine sports, leisure and recreation.
Third, to address the challenge of skills shortage, unemployment and youth development by initiating, together with SAMSA, Transnet, the Departments of Transport .
Honourable Speaker, I must clarify that the strategic engagement between Basic education and higher Education Training is facilitated by the SAMSA management team at national level and the provincial department of Transport will be briefed and updated after such engagements.
Likewise in the province, our department will as well engage Education department after briefings from SAMSA Nationally.
Basic Education and Higher Education and Training, a Provincial Maritime Skills Development and Jobs Programme. In this regard, we are happy to reflect in this Budget Speech, that through our working relationship with SAMSA, we have managed to secure one of our FET college in the province to be included in the 11 identified and being resourced to pilot maritime education and skills training.Our partners in the Education department will be taken on board once all details are finalised.
Maritime is a Transport competency and Curriculum is a competency of Education department.
In line with the gorvement vision around integrated and outcome based approach, once again the department of transport and Education must work together to advance and develop the Maritime industry in the province.
Honourable Speaker, The opening of our own University next year offers yet another opportunity to get the province involved in maritime education, research, technology and innovation, therefore it offers us an opportunity as the department of Transport and Education to explore possibilities of engaging SAMSA about the possibility of offering grade 10,11 and 12 maritime Education through one of our high schools.
Honourable Speaker, This water-blindness in our Province’s economic and social programmes has to come to an end if we are going to use our water heritage- our sea, rivers and dams to develop this beautiful Province of the Northern Cape and end poverty, unemployment and social inequality.
As part of our empowerment programmes in the transport industry, the Department successfully hosted its first Annual Women in Transport Awards for four main categories of women, i.e. Women Entrepreneurs in Transport, Women in Transport Law Enforcement, Women in Transport Operations and Infrastructure.
We have also honoured our agreement with the provincial Taxi Council, under the auspices of SANTACO, to provide funding to them to sustain the democratic structures in place that drives the generally peaceful taxi industry.
The services of the Operating Licence Board further contributed to the empowerment and upliftment in the transport industry in the issuing of over 3700 applications for operating licences, the majority of which were special event licences.
Programme 5: Transport Regulations
Honourable Speaker, road safety and the education thereof has become a very important factor in response to the “Decade of Action 2020” on Road Safety Education.
In light of this, Programme 5 within the Department, which also happen to have our Provincial Traffic officials and the biggest workforce, has achieved the following key objectives for this period under review.
Road Safety Education
Railway awareness campaigns were conducted in Upington. The provincial Road Safety debates were conducted in Upington and 25 children participated from seven (7) different schools. The debate topics that were dealt with were Transnet Freight Rail and how it contributes significantly to the reduction of crashes, and how South Africa will reduce fatalities by 50% by the year 2020 as per the Decade of Action in Road Safety.
Road safety dialogue was also conducted at Tswelopelo Correctional Services in Kimberley with 59 Juvenile Offenders.
Driver Training Program
The Department has reviewed its strategy towards the conventional Driver of the year (DOTY) Competition, for better results and impact. This revision has now moved towards established entities that has a need for more driver education and safety awareness.
This has now resulted into the two (2) driver’s training that was conducted in Kuruman for Mega Bus and EMS drivers. Driver training were also conducted for correctional services drivers in Springbok.
Driver’s Licence Testing Centres (DLTC’s)
More driver license testing centres will be rolled out during this financial year in collaboration with municipalities.
Weigh Bridge
Currently the department operates four weigh bridges in the Province. It is my considered view that the weigh bridges are operating below capacity, despite the huge potential.
We need to review the current operations, as well as explore the possibilities of a public private partnership.
Budget Allocations per Programme and Key Assumptions
DEPARTMENTAL ALLOCATION FOR 2013/2014 MTEF – R904, 155 million
Financial Year 2013/14: R299 255million
Financial Year 2014/15: R294 488 million
Financial Year 2015/16: R310 412 million
The department’s sources of receipts include equitable share and conditional grants. The increase in the equitable share for the first year of the MTEF is R5.884 million or 2.3 percent, which is below inflation at 5.3 per cent.
The below inflation increase can be attributed to cuts in the equitable share baseline of 1, 2 and 3 per cent respectively over the MTEF. Included in the equitable share is the Scholar Transport function, which was shifted from the Department of Education in April 2012.
The Department has only one major grant, which is the Public Transport Operations Grant. For the 2013/14 financial year, the department got an allocation of R0.196 million for Expanded Public Works Programme Incentive Grant (EPWP).
PROGRAMME 1: ADMINSTRATION: R46, 851 million
PROGRAMME 2: CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT: R11, 336 million
Financial breakdown of sub- programs:
Policy and Research :R 1,976,000
Monitoring and Evaluation :R 2,357,000
Regional Co-ordination :R 7,003,000
PROGRAMME 3: SOCIAL CRIME PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY
POLICE RELATIONS: R6, 405 million
The aim of this programme is to promote community safety through the provision of education and awareness programmes in the Province.
Financial breakdown of sub- programs:
Social Crime Prevention :R4,445,000
Community Police Relations :R1,960,000
PROGRAMME 4: TRANSPORT OPERATIONS: R169, 254 million
Financial breakdown, per sub-programme
Programme Support :R 1,707,000
Public Transport Services :R 153,847,000
Operator Licence and Permits :R 4,707,000
Transport Safety and Compliance :R 1,576,000
Transport Systems :R 1,975,000
Infrastructure Operations :R 5,437,000
PROGRAMME 5: TRANSPORT REGULATIONS: R65, 404 million
Financial breakdown of sub- programs:
Programme Support :R 2,340,000
Law Enforcement :R53,869,000
Transport Administration and Licensing :R 6,851,000
Road Safety Education :R 2,344,000
KEY SERVICE DELIVERY FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR (2013/14)
Honourable Speaker , in order for the Department to work towards the goal of achieving a clean audit report by 2014, we are pleased to indicate that a comprehensive Audit Action Plan is still receiving the utmost attention and has been monitored and implemented consistently throughout all the strategic business units in the Department.
This is further been enhanced through ensuring the alignment of our strategic and annual performance plans and budgets as per the Treasury Framework, both for compliance and ensuring effective, efficiency and economic management systems are put in place.
Conclusion
Honourable Speaker, The department of Transport, Safety and Liaison will remain true to its vision of creating an integrated transport for the province, reposition the department to benefit from the massive infrastructural projects, attract investment in the four major projects; i.e. De aar logistical hub, Upington Cargo hub, Belmont-Douglas, Port Nolloth hub, reduce road fatalities.
To monitor police conduct in the province
To oversee the effectiveness and efficiency of the police service in the province.
To promote good relations between the police and the community in the province.
To assess the effectiveness of the visible policing
To continue to work with our team in relation to crime and policing matters in the province.
Honourable Speaker, allow me to pay my homage to our former Premier,Mme Hazel Jenkins, for her immeasurable contributions before the tragic incident she experienced, We wish her well in her retirement.
Profound thanks and gratitude to my colleaque, former Acting Premier, Madam Grizelda Cjiekella for successfully leading our team.
Congratulations to the newly appointed Premier,Mme Sylvia Lukas, We are confident in her capabilities to leadour dedicated team, Members of EXCO are also thanked.
Re leboga modula setulo wa komiti ya rona ya dipalangwa, Mme Tiny Chotelo, le batlotlegi botlhe ba ntlo e tlotlegang.
A special vote of thanks to all stake holders who are close with the department, the SAPS,C.P.F,Y.A.C, W.A.C, Religious leaders, Traditional leaders and other social partners.
I want to thank the HOD of the Department, Mr Stefans Jonkers, the Senior Management of the department for their valued contributions to the success of the department.
A special word of sincere appreciation and gratitude is extended to the team in the Ministry of Transport,Safety and Liaison, under the strategic leadership of Cde Phuthuma Mguza.
Honourable Speaker,
Ke a leboga
Maitazvenyu
to a asante
Shukuru
Baiedankie
I thank you.