Thulisile Mapongwana
The Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature has tabled a series of urgent motions addressing critical challenges facing the province. These were tabled ahead of Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane’s State of the Province Address debate on Wednesday.Â
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Threatens Livestock and Rural Livelihoods
MPL, Dr David Bese warned the House of a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hooved animals, posing a major threat to livestock, food security, and rural livelihoods.
Several districts in the province have confirmed active outbreaks, significantly impacting communal and emerging farmers, as well as the broader red meat value chain.
Bese said the ongoing spread of the disease risks financial losses, restrictions on livestock movement between provinces, and potential international trade repercussions for South Africa’s red meat industry.
He called for stronger collaboration between national, provincial, and municipal authorities to ensure biosafety compliance, effective vaccination coverage, and robust monitoring.
Calls for Affordable Housing and Transit-Oriented Development
MPL Mlibo Qhoboshiyane tabled a motion aimed at addressing spatial inequality and high transport costs in the province.
He noted that even decades into democracy, many communities still face long commuting distances, fragmented settlements, and limited access to economic hubs.
Qhoboshiyane highlighted that underutilised public land remains locked in bureaucratic processes despite rising demand for affordable housing.
He urged the Human Settlements Department, municipalities, and national partners to identify well-located sites along key transport corridors and implement integrated housing developments that include social amenities, sustainable energy solutions, and clear land release timelines.
Province Seeks Recovery of R253 Million in Staff Debt
MPL Malcolm Figg raised concerns over approximately R253 million owed to the province by current and former employees.
The debt arises from salary overpayments, incorrect upgrades, tax liabilities, traffic fines, fruitless expenditure, and loss of state assets. About 88% is owed by former employees, highlighting weaknesses in payroll verification, asset management, and debt recovery processes.
Figg urged Provincial Treasury to present a comprehensive staff debt recovery plan within 30 days, including timelines, legal steps, disciplinary measures, and strengthened controls to prevent future losses.
He emphasised that protecting public funds is critical for service delivery and economic growth in the province.
EFF Highlights Deepening Economic Crisis
On behalf of the Economic Freedom Fighters, MPL Simthembile Madikizela called attention to what the party describes as a worsening economic crisis in the Eastern Cape.
He cited rising unemployment, escalating crime, closure of key industries, and limited industrialisation in rural areas, denying communities sustainable jobs.
Madikizela proposed targeted investment in rural development, agro-processing, and industrial hubs, alongside decentralised youth funding programmes, revitalisation of transport infrastructure, and expansion of energy, ICT, and skills programmes to stimulate trade and job creation.
These motions are set to be debated at a later stage, reflecting the province’s ongoing efforts to tackle livestock disease, housing challenges, staff debt recovery, and economic instability.
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