The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) in the Northern Cape has expressed grave concern during recent budget debates that, despite technically comprehensive and enthusiastic presentations, the provincial budget still falls short.
There is a clear lack of urgency and accountability to address the ongoing collapse of service delivery in key departments.
Regarding health, hospitals and rural clinics are seriously underperforming, which is compounded by staff shortages and escalating medical malpractice claims, despite substantial budgetary allocations.
The decay of facilities, such as those in Kuruman and Kakamas, is unacceptable.
While the Department of Social Development’s enthusiasm is noted, it makes no tangible impact on communities. In many rural areas, residents are left to fend for themselves, with little to no development initiatives beyond social grants.
Despite the Provincial Treasury and executive authorities’ frequent announcements of turnaround strategies for municipalities, many municipalities such Phokwane and Renosterberg continue to fail. These are among the nine municipalities officially in financial distress due to mismanagement.
This undermines the delivery of essential services such as water, sanitation and security.
The Departments of Transport and Economic Development are failing to drive meaningful growth or infrastructure improvements.
The poor condition of roads, particularly in rural areas, hampers not only agricultural operations, but also tourism. Tourism remains an area of untapped potential that could significantly boost job creation and economic growth.
The Freedom Front Plus calls for performance-based budgets, a forensic audit of municipalities in financial distress and underperforming entities, and a moratorium on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) appointments in key positions.
Appointing qualified and competent individuals is the only way to improve infrastructure and service delivery.
While the party supports the Northern Cape budget on the whole, it cannot endorse the budgets for departments such as Health and Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA).
The people of the Northern Cape deserve more than promises and budget-related rhetoric – they deserve visible improvements. Otherwise, this budget represents yet another missed opportunity to effectively halt the province’s decline.
