Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza has said the moratorium on new appointments will not be lifted anytime soon.
He said it was because the province's fiscal share was projected to be cut by close to R1 billion in the next financial year.
"I am calling on all the departments to understand that the current economic situation is extremely challenging, we must tighten our belts and ensure that there are no wastages," Mabuza said.
"Again there will be no appointments of new employees into the provincial government in the coming financial year. We may, however, give an opportunity in the departments of health and education to hire, as there are serious challenges there."
He was addressing a premier's infrastructure coordinating committee meeting in Mbombela on Thursday.
"We must bear in mind that we cannot continue to spend money on hiring people as it is not sustainable in the long term. As a government, we must create the environment conducive for the private sector to create jobs."
He said government must cut spending on consumption drastically and remember that its budget depends on taxes.
"[As] a government we should concentrate on capital investment rather than being an agent that creates jobs."
Turning to infrastructure projects, the premier said he was satisfied with the progress made in some of the departments, but added that others would need serious intervention to speed up delivery of key projects.
Source News 24
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