Hon Chairperson, we are two days away from June 16, a day on which we honour the lives of our leaders who died while still in their youth, and further celebrate the gains of the liberation struggle. [Interjections.]
This debate is relevant today as the department's focus remains the creation of job opportunities and poverty alleviation through the Expanded Public Works Programme, EPWP, infrastructure development, rehabilitation of immovable assets, provision of financial aid in job creation, and skills development.
I agree with the time frames set by the department for the filling of vacant posts, but job creation remains a challenge for the department. Hence, we need progress reports on the number of women, youth and people with disabilities taking part in the different sectors of the EPWP.
As for the EPWP infrastructure grant, how is the project monitoring done? What informs this allocation? Is it performance-based or what? I'm asking these questions because last year provinces spent only 55% and municipalities spent only 45% of their allocations, respectively.
The department should focus on the rural youth. Remember, it spent only 13% of funds allocated for rural development, which indicates a lack of will to have rural development. Hon Minister, the persistent, ongoing challenge relating to the development of the asset register is not on. That is why the department pays rent on leased properties, while certain state-owned properties are vacant. Furthermore, hon Minister, your asset register should also take care of provinces and municipalities.
Cope is pleased to see that the Minister has made a commitment to cleaning up the department with the six-month moratorium on all new property deals. [Interjections.] However, the fact that the department has asked the so- called experts to clean up the house is mind-boggling. Furthermore, this will have a massive negative impact on employment and projects in the building industry. Where did this all go sour? And how long has it been going on? We cannot allow things to go from bad to worse, without any checkpoints in place.
Cope supports this budget and believes that if the department's strategy can be implemented to the letter, the department's image will be resuscitated and South Africa will be saved. I thank you. [Applause.]