Maphari Machaka
The Public Service Commission (PSC) Citizens’ Forum has reached out to Tshitale community at Tshitale Sports Ground, Vhembe District on 27 October 2023.
PSC is constitutionally mandated to promote the democratic values and principles set out in section 195 of the constitution and to promote measures to ensure effective and efficient performance throughout the Public Service. This is done through regular inspection and evaluation of departments as well as through hosting citizen engagement forums.
In that session, community representatives were given a platform to present their service delivery challenges. Various sector departments and other stakeholders registered the community’s grievances to their respective mandates.
Masindi Mariba, acting director for Vhembe District responds to citizens on behalf of the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD)
In response to challenges related to the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD), Masindi Mariba, acting director for Vhembe District stated as follows:
- The closure of local agriculture office center at Tshitale was due to the assessment conducted by the Department of Labour, which found the offices were not conducive and pose health hazard to officials. However, the closure could not affect the service delivery as the department has deployed an agricultural advisor on full time basis to serve that area. In the meantime, the department is in talks with the traditional authority of Thobele to accommodate the department with an office.
- Following the advertisement of Farmer Support which closed on 31 July, the department has received 182 applications from Tshitale area. Some of the advertisements of services were done through digital platforms. During the last financial year, the department has assisted over 155 farmers in a form of fertilisers, compose, chemicals and feeds among others. The department has already registered eight farmers to be assisted in this current season through ploughing on their behalf.
- In relation to stock theft, farmers were urged to always put precautionary measures in place such as branding of animals to minimize the stock theft.
- In conclusion, due to limited budget, the department assists farmers within Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) restricted area with dipping.
LDARD and other sector departments showcased their services through exhibitions stalls.
Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development showcases the services available within the department through exhibitions stalls.
Citizens brought service delivery challenges to the government leadership.
