The official statement by the Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertius Simmers, regarding the Garden Route District Municipality’s roads function does not accurately reflect the facts.
In addition, he glosses over the impact it has on Garden Route residents.
The provincial Department announced in March 2025 that the roads function fulfilled by the Garden Route District Municipality would be transferred to the province. Their initial agreement was due to expire at the end of March 2026.
The Department had twelve months to prepare, consult with staff and plan for a smooth takeover. However, based on information tabled to the District Municipality’s Council, progress was slow.
Despite several reminders from the District Municipality, the foot-dragging continued.
Meetings were convened and the Department was repeatedly requested to finalise the process. Nonetheless, negotiations and consultations with staff only began in all earnestness just before the contract was about to expire.
Meanwhile, several deadlines were missed and the Department refused to engage meaningfully or take action. Consequently, the agreement had to be extended by three months, and thereafter by a further month.
In addition, the Council had to rescind the resolutions it adopted on 3 July so a new, lawful agreement could be drafted and concluded.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) wishes to emphasise that the correct process was not meticulously followed. In the meantime, uncertainty among staff hampered service delivery as they did not work at all for three whole weeks.
The public’s expectations that roads ought to be maintained and taxpayers’ money ought to be wisely spent are justified. They should not have to bear the brunt of poor planning and incompetent governance.
The Department is also unwilling to take on all the District Municipality’s road employees. Failing to do so would leave the Municipality with up to R40 million in unfunded personnel costs. It will have serious implications for the District Municipality’s financial sustainability and its ability to perform other core functions to ensure its viability.
The Freedom Front Plus proposed in April that the contract should be extended by twelve months, with the option to terminate it earlier once the Department is ready to take over the roads function, but to no avail.
This would have ensured stability for staff and uninterrupted service delivery to the public.
The proposal was rejected in favour of a month-to-month arrangement that perpetuates the uncertainty.
The Freedom Front Plus previously requested an independent probe into the handling of the process.
The matter was formally reported to the Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, after which he intervened together with the Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Anton Bredell, to ensure that invalid decisions are rescinded and a coordinated approach is followed.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep informing the public of the actual state of affairs. The party is focused on accountable governance, transparent decision-making and protecting taxpayers’ interests.
Garden Route residents deserve more than empty promises – they deserve a Department that plans ahead, operates responsibly and fulfils its obligations.
FF+ Manifesto on Improved transport: Improving transport infrastructure.
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