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Estimates of the Provincial Revenue and Expenditure (EPRE) - 2025/26 Financial YearThe Department has completed the contracting for the new scholar transport tender. To date a total of 101 931 learners have been ferried to fulfil the constitutional obligation of providing access to education. The Department has underperformed against the planned target of 103 000. Transport Regulations has taken strides to contribute to the national and provincial goal of reducing road fatalities. Although the Department has not been successful in reducing fatalities during this period, the department has established satellite offices in Cala and Cookhouse to increase visibility. To combat fraud and corruption in provincial Registering Authorities, the Department conducted 160 compliance inspections. Additionally, to reduce lawlessness and road fatalities on provincial roads, traffic law enforcement carried out various operations, including 694 drunken driving operations, 1 976 speed operations, and 320 pedestrian operations. This was against the yearly targets of 696 for drunken driving, 2 464 for speed operations and 348 for pedestrian operations. They also weighed 7 640 vehicles against the target of 23 000 and stopped and checked 904 767 vehicles. However, the department faced challenges in weighing vehicles due to the limited availability of functional weighbridges in the province. Only the Kinkelbos weighbridge was operational, while the Mthatha weighbridge was not operational due to an expired calibration certificate. As part of its efforts to strengthen traffic law enforcement with resourced 24/7 shift system and capacitated force, the department has been training traffic officers. In December 2024, 150 trainee traffic officers began their journey with the department as interns for a 24-month period. However, prior to the assessment phase, some dropped out, leaving 142 candidates. Following a rigorous assessment, 128 trainees were deemed competent and subsequently placed in a Work Integrated Learning Programme against the annual target of 150. As part of their hands-on training, they underwent field training in various districts and participated in festive operations. The Department was able to create and report 31 869 work opportunities through the implementation of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) against the target of 35 453. The underperformance was attributed to the delayed recruitment of Household Contractors due to the unavailability of stakeholders that form part of the selection committee The strategy behind the delayed recruitment was to ensure social facilitation is conducted sooner to enable the recruitment process for these interventions is conducted earlier. However, there is still a challenge in attracting designated groups due to the perception from person living with disability that disclosing their disability will result in them forfeiting their disability grant. The department is already engaging with Youth and Person living with disability formations to forge collaborations. A total of 260 NYS Learners has been contracted to date against the target of 300. The Department continues to advocate for the inclusion and creation of opportunities for Military Veterans. To achieve this, the Department has implemented the appointment of dependents of Military Veterans in the Departmental Labour-Intensive Projects. Specifically, these projects include the Ntabankulu Ring Road and Mthumbane Concrete Slab Projects. Key Challenges The department continues to face delayed implementation of its key infrastructure projects, impacting its ability to meet 5-year targets. The number of poorly performing contractors remains a concern, compromising project quality, completion times, and leading to cost overruns. Furthermore, some contractors who successfully procured and deemed capable of executing departmental projects, are experiencing financial constraints, resulting in a lack of resources for effective project completion. This has affected several key strategic transport infrastructure projects, causing delays in their overall completion. With regard to service delivery protests, disruptions have caused road blockages and impacted bus services. Vandalism, including burning tyres, has damaged roads and strained repair budgets. Community unrest and business forum disruptions at construction sites have resulted in delays in 659