Mpumalanga’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs’ latest quarterly report for 2025/26 paints a deeply concerning picture of administrative decline and a complete failure to serve the people of the province.
With irregular expenditure already amounting to approximately R42 million, it is clear that legal prescripts and procurement processes are routinely violated.
The massive underspending of R120 million exacerbates the lack of fiscal responsibility. Funds intended for community development are lying in the state coffers while projects grind to a halt.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is particularly concerned about the tangible impact this maladministration is having on the agricultural sector and job creation.
Thousands of farmers who relied on support with inputs and mechanisation have been let down after the Department fell far short of its own targets.
The late delivery of supplies and failure to meet land reform targets are hampering food security and economic growth in the province.
At a time when unemployment is rampant, it is unacceptable that the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) has delivered only a fraction of the projected job opportunities.
The Department’s inability to complete its own rural development projects – including essential initiatives such as the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market and the Agro-Fund – proves that the current administration lacks the political will and expertise needed to achieve sustainable growth.
The report further reveals shocking examples of malpractice, including payments for work never performed and infrastructure projects that remain incomplete despite massive outlay.
Non-compliance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) appears to be the rule rather than the exception.
As a party fighting for taxpayers’ rights and the advancement of the agricultural sector, the Freedom Front Plus will not turn a blind eye to the decline.
The Freedom Front Plus scheduled a meeting with the Premier, Mr Mandla Nhlovu, to demand immediate accountability and a thorough review of the Department’s budgeting practices.
Mpumalanga residents deserve a government that spends every rand wisely for the benefit of all its people.
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Fun South African Fact: South African Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first heart transplant on 3 December 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. The groundbreaking surgery was carried out on Louis Washkansky and Dr. Barnard was assisted by a large and exceptional team of surgeons, nurses and technicians. One of Dr. Barnard’s assistants was Hamilton Naki, a black laboratory assistant who had worked previously as a gardener and went on to work in the animal laboratory at the University of Cape Town. He had assisted Dr Barnard with research leading to the transplant. In the apartheid days, Naki had no access to higher education due to his race. Despite being unable to access formal training, he learned from and assisted university researchers and went on to do unbelievable work.