MEC Limakatso Mahasa said this remains a challenge, as only 39% of the department’s budget is dedicated to programmes and infrastructure projects. 

While tabling her budget for the financial year 2023/2024 at Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Hall in QwaQwa, she said dependence on conditional grants is another challenge. “This picture remains bleak for the department, which is service or mass participation-based.”

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The problem of most of the department’s budget being used to pay employees is nothing new, but it seems to be worsening. While tabling the 2022/2023 budget, Mahasa said more than R384 million of the R665 million was allocated for remuneration.

“This means that about 43% of the department’s budget is dedicated to programmes and infrastructure projects. [Of course] we also need human resources to carry out our mandate.

“While we have pointed out that about 57% of the budget goes to the compensation of employees, the department is still not anywhere near a full complement of its staff establishment.”

Mahasa said her department received more than R100 million for administration, which she said was more than 2% less than the year before.

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In the current financial year, the department received R115 million for administration. She said they would ensure that governance structures in the department continue to operate optimally as part of their efforts to help build a capable state.

“Risk Management Committee and Audit Committee as well as other internal departmental committees continue to ensure that the department [executes] its mandate in accordance with prescripts and [complies] with policies,” she added.

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