The Limpopo Executive Council (EXCO) met in its regular monthly meeting in July 2022 to consider various items and take decisions on the following:
1. Provincial Infrastructure Planning and Delivery Report
EXCO noted that an amount of R6,2 billion has been allocated towards infrastructure development in the province in the 2022/23 financial year. It also noted that the projects are at various stages of implementation, with some at feasibility and design stages and others at pre-construction stage with expenditure recorded at 9% in the first two months of the financial year.
In order to expedite delivery on infrastructure, the Executive Council has directed that departments and entities in the Infrastructure Cluster Management Committee (ITMC) meetings, namely; Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Independent Development Trust (IDT) and MVULA Trust, as well as the Infrastructure Cluster Champions from the departments of Social Development, Sport, Arts and Culture and Transport and Community Safety should convene regularly to ensure that the allocated budget is spent.
2. Provision of Sanitation Facilities in Schools Update
After receiving an update on the provision of sanitation facilities in schools, especially the abolition of pit latrines, EXCO noted that there is still need to tighten management of contracts to ensure that all projects are completed by end of the 2022/23 financial year.
So far 139 schools have been completed and handed over to end-users; 23 schools are still under construction; more schools are anticipated to reach practical completion in the 2nd quarter of 2022/23 financial year; 43 of the 47 re-advertised projects were awarded and sites handed over to contractors in January 2022. The remaining 4 projects are yet to be re-advertised as there were no successful bidders; and the case of 7 school projects where the contractor refused to proceed with the works after award is being handled by Legal Services.
The Executive Council directed that non-performing contractors should be managed in line with the signed service Level Agreement (SLA); and that those disrupting the implementation of projects demanding a percentage stake, local employment or any other form of demand should be reported to the police and appropriate measures may be taken by the law enforcement agencies.
3. Limpopo Integrated Cooperative Development and Promotion Strategy 2022-2027
EXCO noted with concern the fragmented implementation of the cooperative development and support programme amongst government spheres. It also noted an array of challenges impeding the growth and development of co-operatives in the province, and subsequently directed the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) to develop a comprehensive Cooperative Development and Support Strategy incorporating a 5-year Plan.
The Strategy and Implementation Plan seek to enhance performance, sustainable growth, and development of the cooperative movement in Limpopo Province; and a brief outline of the Limpopo Integrated Cooperative Development and Promotion Strategy 2022-2027 was presented.
EXCO approved the Limpopo Integrated Cooperative Development and Promotion Strategy 2022-2027 including the implementation plan thereof.
4. Resumption of Convening Face-to-Face Meetings, Other Gatherings and Activities
Since the inception of COVID-19 Regulations in 2020 the convening of meetings and other activities used the virtual platforms (Zoom and MS Teams). The virtual platforms have made it possible to realise that meetings can be held without necessarily being in one locality. Since then, the regulations have been scrapped and a new environment settling back to normality has prevailed.
The Executive Council approved the resumption of convening of face-to-face meetings, gatherings and other activities with the understanding that virtual and hybrid meetings will be convened as and when it is deemed appropriate for such forums.
Considering these developments, an opportunity exists for the Executive Council meetings, Cluster Committee meetings, Provincial HoDs Forum, EXCO Imbizo, the Premier’s Councils (PEGAC, LHRDC, LPAC and P-IGF), EXCO Lekgotla, Government events and other activities to be convened face-to-face.
5. Payment of Invoices within 30 Days
Whilst Limpopo rates among the top provinces that pay invoices to service providers within 30 days, EXCO wanted to see a 100% compliance with this requirement.
The Executive Council directed that the Provincial Treasury report on the monitoring of compliance to 30-days invoice payments should in future highlight the interventions that are being made to assist departments that are not able to meet the 30-days’ deadline to pay their invoices, as well as those departments that continue to struggle to settle invoices that are older than 60 days.
6. Appointment of the Deputy Director General: Shared Internal Audit Services: Provincial Treasury
The Executive Council concurred with the appointment of Mr. Moses Tshiṱangano as Deputy Director-General: Shared Internal Audit Services in the Provincial Treasury with effect from 01 August 2022.
7. Other reports noted
The Executive Council noted various other reports related to revenue and expenditure, disaster grant funding, foot and mouth control, revitalisation of Agriculture and agro-processing value chain plan, Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone, Great North Transport Turnaround, and Provincial State Theatre.
Source: Government of South Africa