By Lungile Ntimba
The Limpopo Provincial Executive Council (PEC) has established a new Technical Task Team, led by the Director-General and comprising key departmental heads, to address persistent infrastructure delivery challenges within the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure.
The council convened its ordinary meeting on 2 July 2025 to deliberate on key issues affecting the development and well-being of the province.
The technical task team is tasked with developing a conceptual framework outlining short-, medium-, and long-term interventions to address the capacity constraints identified within the Department.
It would also tackle persistent issues such as bureaucratic delays, prolonged procurement cycles, and shortages in technical expertise that have historically hindered the timely implementation of infrastructure projects.
According to provincial government spokesperson Ndavhe Ramakuela, the council’s meeting followed a comprehensive Provincial Infrastructure Workshop held earlier in the month.
The workshop served as a platform to assess the province’s infrastructure needs and set development priorities for the 7th administration term.
Acknowledging continued implementation delays despite extensive planning, the Council attributed these setbacks to inefficient procurement systems and limited project management capacity.
In response, it also endorsed the development of a structured project handover framework and a final account closure protocol.
A significant outcome of the meeting was the approval of recruitment plans for key provincial entities in the 2025/26 financial year.
These include the Limpopo Economic Development Agency, Gateway Airport Authority Limited, and the Limpopo Tourism Agency.
Filling these vacancies is expected to strengthen operational efficiency, Ramakuela said.
The Council also reviewed and updated financial assistance for Senior Traditional Leaders’ ceremonial duties, addressing a gap dating back to the 2009/10 financial year.
In addition, it extended Madihlaba Ntepane Caroline’s acting appointment as Senior Traditional Leader of the Marota-Madibong Traditional Community for a further two years.
Annual reports for the 2024/25 Cluster Programmes of Action were approved, reflecting the Council’s ongoing commitment to monitoring and evaluating government performance.
With regard to disaster management, the Council expressed concern over the zero expenditure recorded by the Bela-Bela and Lephalale Local Municipalities from their allocated Municipal Disaster Response Grant.
Enquiries have been initiated to understand the cause and expedite infrastructure rehabilitation efforts.
Finally, the Council also approved the appointment of three Heads of Department, effective from 1 August 2025, each appointed for a five-year term.
These include M.V. Seshibe for Education, T.E. Mhlongo for Social Development, and M.A. Mashamba for Agriculture and Rural Development.
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