22 June 2023

The Congress of South African Trade Unions(COSATU) in Limpopo is disappointed at the reports of continued underspending in relation to resources allocated to the province in the quest to deliver services to the residents. After observing underspending in the provincial government departments in the closed financial year, the Federation is further alarmed that some municipalities have underspent in the preceding year, leading to the return of funds to the National Treasury. This happens against the backdrop of serious shortage of water across the province, badly maintained district roads and delipidating municipal infrastructure and equipment.

It is also disappointing that the provincial government is not demonstrating commitment and vigour in filling the 13 736 vacant funded positions in the provincial government departments. Filling of these positions would go a long way in ameliorating the endemic shortage of staff in the public service in the Limpopo Province. What we observed are lame attempts by our ally, the African National Congress (ANC), to try to justify this desperate situation, as sharply raised by the ANC Youth League. We reiterate our longstanding call for all funded vacant positions in government departments to be filled and fully support the posture taken by the ANCYL on this matter. We expect government departments and municipalities to table their plans for addressing the high vacancy rate instead of trying to defend the indefensible. We further call for accountability for those responsible for the morass the province finds itself in the various spheres of government.

We also take this opportunity to indicate our unwavering support to our affiliate, the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers Union(NEHAWU)which is embarking on a march to the office of the Premier of Limpopo Province on 23 June 2023 to demonstrate against corruption and union bashing by the Limpopo Department of Health.

Issued by COSATU Limpopo

Hangwani Mashao(Provincial Secretary)

Mobile: 0674130165