The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is seriously concerned, with good reason, about the Tshwane Metro’s constant failure to adhere to the principles of sound financial management, effective project execution and constitutional service delivery.
According to the Metro’s capital budget performance report for the 2024/25 financial year, R2,2 billion, or 95% of the adjusted capital budget of R2,3 billion, has already been spent.
If other financial obligations, such as contracts and similar commitments are included, this figure climbs to 98,5%.
The report shows that only 47% of the 181 capital projects have reached their planned milestones, though. Of the remaining projects, 51% are delayed and 2% have been completely suspended.
This means that over R1 billion in expenditure has not translated into functional or completed infrastructure.
This glaring contradiction between high expenditure and low project completion points to systemic shortcomings in the Metro’s management capacity.
The lack of thorough root-cause analyses, remedial plans and consequence management for officials or contractors contribute to a culture of administrative laxity.
The decline in the effectiveness of the section-80 oversight committee is particularly concerning. In the past, this committee played a key role in overseeing municipal contracts and financial management, however, poor administrative support and delays have severely hampered its functioning.
In the Freedom Front Plus’s view, the entire situation constitutes a serious breach of Tshwane residents’ trust, and a violation of the Constitution’s requirements for sustainable service delivery and financial accountability.
To effectively address this crisis, the section-80 committee should be revived with a stronger mandate to improve oversight and thoroughly investigate contract failures.
Root-cause analyses and transparent remedial reporting for every delayed or suspended project should be mandatory. In addition, a capital recovery task team should be established to audit suspended projects, reallocate funds and restore service delivery.
Tshwane residents deserve infrastructure that works, not empty promises or misleading reports.
The party will keep fulfilling its watchdog role to hold the Metro accountable.
FF+ Manifesto on Rural development: Promoting development in rural areas.
Trick Baron
Fun South African Fact: South Africa is extremely rich in mining and minerals and considered the world’s leader with nearly 90% of all the platinum metals on earth and around 41% of all the world’s Gold!
Potato Sub
Braai – a barbecue [brr-rye] Also known as a barbecue where steak, lamb chops and of course ‘boerewors’ is cooked on a grid over wood and flames. Add some salads, rolls and ‘melktert’ for dessert and you are set for a traditional South African braai.