Hon Deputy Speaker, firstly, I would like to state that the IFP supports this 2014 Appropriation Bill. [Applause.] We do so, however, mindful of the many challenges that remain and beset a number of our departments regarding the effective management and use of these budgetary allocations.
The lack of proper planning by departments impacts heavily on this process and retards not only service delivery to our people, particularly our most vulnerable, but also our economic growth. The Ministers and deputy directors-general must be held accountable for improper departmental planning and the results of overspending and underspending that usually follow such laissez-faire management.
For example, in the Department of Home Affairs, I noted that in 2013-14 we had seen underspending equivalent to 2,7% less than the budget allocation. The department had similarly underspent by 2,6% in 2011-12. This equates to a consistent underspending of approximately 3%, which is above the 1% usually considered acceptable by Treasury. The result is that Treasury has just reduced the department's budget and this will in all likelihood hamper the department's plans for its new vision. I just want to state the fact that the underspending in the report of the Department of Home Affairs is actually tabled as a savings on the template that they gave us, and we would like to recommend to National Treasury that this template be changed so that underspending is reflected as underspending. Departments must always strive to meet their key economic indicators.
We still see widespread service delivery protests in this country, which are often accompanied by violence and serious injury to people and property. Such discord begins with the lack of planning, misuse of public funds and general maladministration and, as such, the IFP stresses again the sacred trust and obligation placed on our Ministries to utilise these public funds in as efficient and effective a way as possible.
The taxpayer wants to see value for his or her hard-earned money; the money at work; infrastructure maintained and developed and the encouragement of entrepreneurs. Whilst we fully support social development, welfare programmes and grants to our most vulnerable, the aged and indigent, we are mindful that we should not actually become a welfare state.
The excessive use of consultants in our departments is a problem. This does not only result in massive wasteful expenditure, but also leads to low morale and reduced work output by departments' personnel. The use of consultants must become the exception and not the rule, as it currently is.
The hon Minister of Finance, in the debate on the Treasury Budget Vote for this Budget, supported the implementation of the National Development Plan. Now it is up to the Ministers and their departments to make this a reality. The IFP and the people of South Africa are counting on you. I thank you. [Applause.]