Gauteng money management improved

Johannesburg - The way finances are managed by Gauteng departments has improved in 2010, the province's executive council said on Wednesday.

"The executive council has received a report on the state of finances of the province and it shows further improvement in the management of finances by departments," provincial government spokesperson Thabo Masebe said in a statement, following a council meeting chaired by Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.

However, he said some of the departments - Health and Social Development, Roads and Transport, Education and Infrastructure Development were still experiencing challenges.

Masebe said the department of finance would continue to work closely with the affected departments to help them manage their cash-flow pressures.

He said the council had also noted public protests in a number of areas in the province, including the recent strike by some taxi operators opposed to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

"Unfortunately some of these protests were violent and resulted in intimidation and disruption of services.

"I wish to reiterate what we have said previously that while we respect people's rights to engage in protest action, government will not tolerate any violence, disruption of services and unlawful action by any group of protesters."

The law enforcement agencies, with the government's full support, will act to protect the public and take strong action against anyone breaking the law, he said.

- Sapa