By Trudie Grové-Morgan, MPL – Spokesperson on Finance, Economic Development and Tourism
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced its unwavering commitment to ensure rigorous oversight over the Mpumalanga Provincial Government’s allocation of over R70 million dedicated to refurbishing neglected industrial parks and shopping centres across the province. This move follows concerns over the project’s management, given that the funds have been entrusted to the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA), which the DA considers discredited.
The Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDET) recently disclosed that R70.9 million has been allocated to revitalise key sites, including the Kabokweni Shopping Centre, Ekandustria Industrial Park, Thembisile Hani Industrial Park, and Siyabuswa Shopping Centre. The initiative aims to stimulate economic growth and create much-needed employment in a province grappling with an unemployment rate of 35.4%, including 46.4% youth unemployment.
While the effort to rejuvenate these projects is a positive step, the DA’s primary concern lies with the organisation tasked with overseeing their implementation. The responsibility has been given to MEGA, an agency with a longstanding history of mismanagement and failure. Since its inception in 2010, MEGA was established to facilitate funding, promote foreign trade, and foster investment, especially targeting Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs). Over time, its mandate has shifted toward funding youth projects, small and micro enterprises (SMMEs), agriculture, housing, and trade promotion.
However, the DA argues that MEGA has consistently failed to meet its mandates. The agency’s financial records are marred with irregularities, and both the Auditor General and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) have flagged it for serious mismanagement and lack of accountability. Giving MEGA responsibility for these vital projects, the DA warns, risks further failures and wastage of public funds.
“The DA strongly believes that these projects should be transferred directly to DEDET, which has the capacity and mandate to oversee economic development in the province,” stated MPL Trudie Grové-Morgan. “Leaving oversight in the hands of MEGA, whose own executives have prioritised inflated salaries over job creation and skills development, jeopardises the success of the revitalisation efforts for thousands of unemployed youths.”
The DA emphasised that proper oversight and accountability mechanisms are crucial to ensure the funds are utilised efficiently and effectively, ultimately leading to tangible job opportunities and economic growth for the province.
The DA remains committed to holding provincial authorities accountable and ensuring that public resources are managed responsibly to deliver real benefits for the unemployed youth and communities across Mpumalanga.