The Eastern Cape Government has expressed shock at the recent killing and cannibalising of four-year old Kamvelihle Ngala near Port St Johns, allegedly at the hands of a relative.
The Bhisho government issued a wide-ranging statement on Friday following its cabinet meeting in Bizana this week.
Premier Phumulo Masualle said that while investigations into the murder of the little boy are ongoing, preliminary indications point to the abuse of drugs by the alleged 30 year-old perpetrator.
He said the suspects was a former offender who previously served time in prison for murder and was out on parole at the time that the crime was committed.
"We must as Government hasten to deal with some of the underlying causes behind crime in our province, that being poverty and unemployment', Masualle said.
Turning to other issues, the provincial Cabinet said that meeting in Mbizana took place on the eve of the historic launch of the year-long Oliver Reginald Tambo Centenary Celebrations while also approving the Eastern Cape Infrastructure Plan Vision 2030.
"Indeed Nkantolo Village in the Mbizana Local Municipality is a construction site as we speak. The Premier launched a multi-million rand infrastructure program, which includes a series of projects with access roads, a bridge and housing," the Bhisho cabinet statement said.
"This access roads network will link Nkantolo and surrounding communities to Mbizana and the N2 wild coast road from Kwa-Zulu Natal to East London and Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality."
"Cabinet also prioritised the approval of small town revitalisation which includes Mbizana, Alice, Kirkwood, Ngqeleni, Libode, Mount Ayliff, Mount Fletcher and Port St. Johns. The revitalisation entails infrastructure upgrading for water, electricity, roads and public buildings, thus attracting private investment with a view to boost business confidence, consumer confidence and stimulate economic growth."
"Through the intergovernmental relations framework, the national Minister for Water and Sanitation and the Premier will be providing political oversight and leadership on the implementation of another strategic catalytic infrastructure project, Mzimvubu multi-purpose Dam, which was also presented this week," the Bhisho government said.
"Initial work has already started in consulting key stakeholders, the Kings and Chiefs of the affected communities received the first briefing. The dam will be prioritised for domestic consumption, irrigation, hydro technology and possible industrialisation."
