Deputy Speaker, while the MF welcomes the R17,8 million allocated to KwaZulu-Natal for the repair of infrastructure damaged by floods, we must analyse what is being done to assist provincial departments in improving not only the spending of conditional grants but also the capacity of the provincial departments to monitor and evaluate the performances of grant projects effectively.
The introduction of the new conditional grants and the school infrastructure backlog grants to deal with the inappropriate and unsafe school structures and backlog in basic services to schools is indeed gratifying, as the education fraternity is undoubtedly experiencing tremendous challenges, which continue to take service delivery backwards.
There is currently restructuring taking place in KwaZulu-Natal that was not formally brought before the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council. In addition, no framework has been developed by the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council.
The MF is extremely concerned and wants to know on what basis the restructuring in proceeding in KwaZulu-Natal in the middle of an economic recession. Should this money not be set aside for restructuring and the creation of more teaching posts to deal with the issue of overcrowding and improving learner-to-educator ratios? This is contrary to government's policy of good governance.
Over R300 million will be utilised for the restructuring programme. The MF's fear is that posts that are created are attempts to ensure employment for people who are close to the political office of the MEC in KwaZulu- Natal. We must guard against wasteful expenditure and strive to eradicate fraud and corruption. [Time expired.]