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Provincial Education department under fire from Premier Mabuza for failing to implement CRDP projects
15 Aug 2012 Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza says he will “definitely take steps” against the provincial department of education for failing to implement Comprehensive Rural Development Programme [CRDP] projects in Bushbuckridge. The department was supposed to build and renovate schools within the municipality, however it was reportedly having prioritised something else and subsequently shifted funds allocated for CRDP projects. The Premier expressed shock and anger while visiting CRDP projects in Bushbuckridge yesterday (Tuesday, 14 August 2012) to check progress on implementation and whether immediate interventions were needed or not. He said he was happy with progress made by other departments except for the department of education which did not build and renovate schools. “I have a problem with the department of education, they dropped the projects and shifted funds but did not inform Cabinet about their decision.” “They must explain because one cannot simply change government plans without telling us. “Such things make our work as politicians in government very difficult; they make us look bad as if we are lying to the communities. We cannot hide by the bush, if something is wrong, it is wrong. “People must remember that it takes time for the Cabinet to make decisions; we have to go through the departments’ plans, approve and attach budgets,” said Mabuza. Mabuza said he was generally happy with other projects that they were starting to bear fruits. Speaking about crop production projects and the complaints that it was difficult to establish markets, the Premier said government would have to sign an agreement with the service providers who are dealing with feeding scheme in the school to buy from the projects. “As government, we will be the market ourselves so that as they produce, we must buy from them for the children in the schools,” he said. He further urged the departments to intervene urgently where their involvement was required. He was impressed that of more than 400 boreholes in the province, at least 39 in Bushbuckridge were providing water for domestic use and farming purposes. He was pleased to see the health centre and a clinic undergoing some minor touches and ready to be officially opened. On the other hand, the cattle project is assisting the local people in restoring the Nguni breed as more calves are bred. Enquiries:
Zibonele Mncwango
Spokesperson: Mpumalanga Premier
Tel: 013 766 2453
Cell: 079 491 0163
E-mail: zmncwango@mpg.gov.za Issued by: Mpumalanga Office of the Premier
15 Aug 2012
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