Parliament, Friday, 24 June 2022 – The Select Committee on Appropriations unanimously adopted its report on the 2022 Appropriation Bill. The committee also held successful public hearings on the Bill, where organisations including Equal Education, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants made inputs on the Bill.
The committee was of the view that the Cabinet, National Treasury and provincial treasury offices should be able to put measures in place to curb the debt that provincial departments owe municipalities. It further recommended that the National Treasury should table a progress report in Parliament in the next budget cycle.
The committee also noted the budget allocation of R100 billion to the South African Police Services (SAPS) and urged SAPS management to spend the funds effectively. The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Appropriations, Ms Dikeledi Mahlangu, expanded the point, saying: “The committee urges SAPS and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to address any issues related to unnecessary delays, project management and lack of expenditure and performance.”
The committee expressed concerns over the slow process in the construction of the three police stations in Limpopo, North West and Northern Cape provinces. “National Treasury should continue to engage with the two departments to ensure smooth implementation of infrastructure projects and improve expenditure patterns,” she added.
The committee also noted the administrative inefficiencies that continue to plague the Higher Education sector, especially the National Financial Aid Scheme. The committee is of the view that maladministration, dysfunctionality and failure to spend allocated funds effectively should not be allowed to continue.
The committee called upon the National Treasury and the Department of Higher Education and Training to work together closely and intervene to ensure deserving poor students are not disadvantaged by administrative challenges.
The committee also urged the Department of Basic Education to monitor closely how food is provided to learners and ensure value for money. Ms Mahlangu said: “The Department of Basic Education should ensure that proper financial management systems and plans are put in place for the R8.5 billion earmarked for the National School Nutrition Programme to ensure efficient spending.”
The committee also welcomed the R7 billion allocated to the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme over the 2022/23 Medium Term Expenditure Framework. The report will be tabled for consideration in the National Council of Provinces.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, MS DIKELEDI MAHLANGU.
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