Dear residents of KwaZulu Natal 

The most extraordinary thing happened last week when the provincial Treasury publicised its decision to cancel the supply and distribution of food parcels by the Departments of Social Development and Health on account of the latter department's overspent budget. 

The supply and distribution of food parcels to the needy, paid for by the taxpayer, has long served as a backdrop to the ANC's relentless party political campaign in the rural areas of KwaZulu Natal. The glaring mismanagement at Health - one of the most important government departments - is now so serious that it even sabotages the ANC's efforts to get itself re-elected as government in next year's election. 

The provincial Department of Health has overspent its budget by a staggering R2-billion and the cancelled distribution of food parcels is just one consequence of this department's financial irresponsibility. We in the IFP have long criticised the lack of financial controls in the department and warned of the dire consequences for service delivery, especially in our rural areas.  

As much as we are disturbed by the consequences of this measure for those who depend on the department's food parcels, we note that the Treasury was left with no choice but to cancel the supply and distribution of these handouts. 

Based on our own monitoring, we had anticipated an overspent budget at Health and warned that the department's overspending would throw a wet blanket on many ambitious projects such as the rollout of new facilities to address the infrastructure backlog. Sadly, we have been vindicated.  

It is all the more disconcerting that not even a R2-billion budget overrun has prevented the MEC for Health from promising new healthcare facilities on the campaign trail ahead of the upcoming election.   

We also sympathise with the 50 odd supplier and distribution companies which have lost out due to the decision to cancel the rollout of food parcels. The Department of Health has managed to give the entire provincial government a bad name in the local business circles. 

Dr Lionel Mtshali
Leader of the Official Opposition

Contact: Dr Lionel Mtshali, 083 256 4902