Update
GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Community Works Programme (CWP) participants between the ages of 55 and 60 were overjoyed when it was announced that their contracts, which were terminated at the end of December last year, would be reinstated to the initial contract period ending 31 March this year.
This comes after a meeting between the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, and the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, last week to discuss the budget cuts to the CWP programme.
According to Hlabisa, these cuts adversely impact payments to participants and risk unauthorised expenditure by the CoGTA.
Temporary programme
Councillor Eldridge Ruiters, who opposed the termination of contracts and initiated CCMA proceedings says the reinstatement is in line with national policy.
He says the case had to be withdrawn because the CCMA will never hear a matter that falls outside of its contract period.
"The CWP programme was never intended to be permanent."
Space for new entrants
"Whatever CoGTA and CWP decide, the point is that they cannot discriminate against any age group in the programme, especially those between 55 and 60," says Ruiters. "Participants over the age of 60, however, are not covered by this policy because they must make space for new entrants."
R27 m spent on administration
Ruiters emphasised that CWP participants, who do most of the work, receive the least amount of money from the programme, rendering the claim of insuf-ficient funds unconvincing.
"The CWP report for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 indicated that R27-million was spent on administration and banking fees, and R26-million on travel and subsistence.
The latter is just for driving around and staying in hotels. R40-million was earmarked for project management, but R33-million of the R40-million was spent in just six months.
"If they claim there are no funds, this breakdown clearly indicates where they can save money for participants."
In this regard Hlabisa said that they are currently engaged in constructive consultations with relevant stakeholders and will provide regular updates.
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