Letsha-Mathae used its condition of the provincial address to explain how its administration intends to tackle water and electricity challenges.
Vrijstaat Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae has expressed concerns about possible job losses in the health sector because of the cancellation of the United States (US) foreign assistance to South Africa.
Letsoha-Mathae spoke on Friday in her State of the Province address (Sopa) in Bloemfontein.
Effects of Donald Trump’s decision
“Many of our strategic partners have indicated that the financing of USAID has stopped. This is an immediate threat of job losses to around 725 health workers, social workers, data receptions, cleaners and many others, “she said.
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The cutting of American foreign aid to South Africa comes after accusations from US President Donald Trump that South Africa seized land and “did terrible things for certain groups of people”.
Despite the diplomatic stormThe South African government With all those who were putting on HIV treatment to continue.
Letsoha-Mathae said that the provincial department will find ways to ensure that the American decision has no influence on communities and the health sector.
She said that her administration is doing its best to improve the quality of healthcare in government facilities.
This includes the use of more than 1,000 doctors and nurses in the previous year and ensuring that the province’s care institutions no longer have any medicines.
Challenges of water and services
The free state has become known for having some of the worst municipalities in the country.
Letsoha-Mathae, however, said that the province is developing plans to ensure that municipalities can provide basic services such as water, electricity and rejecting collection.
“Honorable speaker, we are very concerned about the state of some of our municipalities. Failure to provide services such as water, electricity and waste removal is disturbing.
“Water treatment plants are not maintained, electricity infrastructure collapses, cranes are dry, streets are littered with waste, but work on improving the state of municipalities is underway,” she said.
Letsoha-Mathae said that the provincial authorities and municipal officials had a meeting last week with Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to ensure that all municipalities can meet their financial obligations to Eskom.
“At least 10 municipalities in our province participate in the Eskom Debt Relief Program The intention to help them arrange their current accounts, and we will continue to support these municipalities to ensure compliance and financial discipline in their engines with Eskom, “she said.
The province also has fights against water challenges, with dry cranes that influence schools, companies and hospitals.
Letsoha-Mathae, however, said that the Ministry of Water and Sanitary facilities had committed itself to giving R1.4 billion to the province to help them with their water challenges.
The money goes to bulk infrastructure projects and projects for water purification works.
“The department has also appointed Vaal Central Water to help Maluti Aphofung Local Municipality with the restoration of water treatment works and bulk farm pipes to guarantee the water supply in QWA-QWA,” she said.
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Itumeleng Mafisa
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