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MEC of Finance Jacob Mamabolo announced this morning that the Gauteng Provincial Government will spend nearly R500 billion over the next three years to fund key priorities related to the TISH programme, grow the economy, fight crime, expand basic services to the public and address the energy crisis.

The MEC was presenting Gauteng’s budget for 2023/24 to the Legislature

He said: “The 2023 MTEF Fiscal Framework will see the provincial budget grow by an annual average rate of 3 per cent, from R158.945 billion in 2023/24 to R164.785 billion in 2024/25 and R169.703 billion in 2025/26”.

The MEC said Gauteng’s fiscal framework remains stable, despite reductions in the Equitable Share.

“We are still seized with the responsibility to manage real fiscal risks such as the energy supply crisis, inflationary pressures on costs of providing services, increasing pressure from accruals and low economic growth,” he said.

Turning to TISH, MEC Mamabolo announced that a total budget of R7.68 billion has been allocated to improve infrastructure in townships, informal settlements and hostels in the 2023/24 financial year.

This budget includes R3.5 billion that will go towards the provision of new, and improvement of existing infrastructure to enable the province to provide the required services.

“Some of the notable projects within the townships includes the construction of housing units at Sebokeng Ext 28, construction of Sewer Pipelines and manholes at Mohlakeng- Pelzvlale, Soshanguve South secondary school in Soshanguve”.

To improve the basic infrastructure services within the informal settlements in the province, a budget of R3.8 billion has been allocated to upgrade the following informal settlements – Kwa Brown, Mamello, Piel’s Farm, Thabong, Pangoville (Munsieville), Bergsig Informal Settlement and Ratanda.

To improve the living conditions of people living in hostels, the MEC allocated of R322 million. This will go towards the renovation and improvement of conditions of hostels. Some of the hostels planned for the upgrade includes George Goch; Denver; Jeppe; LTA Rethabile, Kwama-Siza, Dube, Orlando, Diepkloof and Orlando West.

Furthermore, the MEC announced that an additional budget of R4 billion to has been allocated to the Gauteng Department of Community Safety over the next three years. The funds will be used to train and absorb of the 6 000 crime prevention wardens currently

“In addition to capacitating these crime prevention wardens with the necessary tools of trade, the resource allocation will also enable the acquisition of technological solutions to fight crime – such as drones, and the leasing of helicopters to enhance the visibility of crime prevention efforts. Also included in this allocation is funding for fleet services, to further capacitate traffic police to undertake their duties,” the MEC said.

Issued by Gauteng Provincial Government