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The provincial government forfeiture of R189.93 million to the National Treasury will affect the poor and vulnerable residents of the province the hardest.

Money that could have been used to assist and uplift critical areas like Education, Health, Public Works, Sports Arts and Culture, as well as Agriculture and Rural Development have been forfeited because of poor management, incompetence and negligence by the ANC led Government in Limpopo.

Opportunities to improve schools, hospitals and clinics, implement housing projects and food security programs have come to naught. The result of this neglect has resulted in budget cuts in these critical spheres by the Treasury.

The Department of Education budget has been cut with the Education Infrastructure Grants and the Early Childhood Development Grants being drastically reduced. In a Province where the learners, particularly in rural areas, are challenged by poor facilities already, this is unacceptable.

The Department of Health faces drastic reductions in the Health Revitalisation Grant and the District Health Programmes which deal with HIV, TB and Malaria Community Outreach Programmes. With Limpopo's health system in its current appalling state, this is not good news for those who are entitled to quality health care, but are already not receiving it.

The Informal Settlements Upgrades Grant has been considerably cut, seriously affecting the poorest of the poor.

These cuts to the budget are further exacerbated by the provincial government's failure to increase the revenue it collects from its entities. Many of these entities continue to underperform and are not sustainable.

In DA led Governments, this would not be allowed to happen. Priority must always be given to the poor and ensuring that provision is made for the upliftment of the most vulnerable. There is no justification for the ANC mismanagement and incompetence.

The time has come to bring an end to the neglect of the people of Limpopo. A vote for the DA in 2024, will ensure much needed change and upliftment of all.

Issued by Lindy Wilson MPL - DA Provincial Spokesperson on Treasury