THE DA in Gauteng has criticised Premier Panyaza Lesufi over unpaid workers and service providers.
The nonpayment occurred because funds allocated to the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) and Environment Affairs were redirected to finance the unfunded Nasi Ispani Programme.
In a written response to questions posed by the DA in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa disclosed that the EPWP programme had been extended by three months for GDARD and six months for the Department of Environmental Affairs.
"EPWP participants based on the numbers reflected on the 2024/2025 financial year. EPWP were funded and budgeted for from April 2023 to March 2024. The additional three months from June to August 2024 for GDARD and six months, June to November 2024. For environment was not budgeted for. They were paid from goods and services budget," said the MEC.
DA Gauteng shadow MEC for agriculture and rural development Bronwynn Engelbrecht said the departments failed to pay service providers and workers in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) on time due to the extension of unbudgeted Lesufi's initiative.
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In total, 4 716 workers were affected between June and November 2024 for both departments.
"This means that the affected parties who relied on this income were unable to make ends meet and sustain their businesses," said Engelbrecht.
She labelled the extension reckless since it was not budgeted for, and EPWP workers had to be paid from the goods and services programme.
"This had a negative effect on all creditors being paid within 30 days. The DA Gauteng demands that before Premier Lesufi relaunches his Nansi Ispani programme, he ensures that there is an adequate budget to pay all workers on time and that money is not taken from the budgets of other service delivery programmes," said Engelbrecht.
She claimed that a DA-led Gauteng provincial government would not implement any job creation programme without first ensuring that there is sufficient budget for the programme.
"Our unemployed residents need a government that is willing to ensure that they are paid on time for services rendered and do not have to wait longer than the payment date stated in their contracts," added Engelbrecht.
