Western Cape Department of Infrastructure Annual Report

The following remarks were made by Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, to the Standing Committee on Infrastructure – 2024/25 Annual Performance on 9 October 2024:

Good morning,

Chairperson of the Committee;

Honourable Members;

HOD;

Officials from the department; and

Members of the public

It is my distinct honour to present to you today the Annual Report for the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure.

This report reflects our unwavering commitment to enhancing the infrastructure landscape of our province, driving economic growth, and improving the quality of life for our residents.

This year has been one of significant progress and notable achievements, particularly noting that it was the Department’s inaugural financial year.

We have navigated a challenging economic environment, marked by global uncertainties and local pressures, yet our resolve has remained steadfast.

Our strategic initiatives and projects have been guided by the clear aim of the Western Cape Infrastructure Framework 2050 to enable infrastructure-led growth and investment for the province that will benefit the communities we serve.

Key highlights of this year include the successful implementation and completion of several major infrastructure projects, which have had a transformative impact on both urban and rural communities.

A key milestone was the department receiving its first clean audit report from the Auditor-General – this in our very first year of existence.

Our focus has spanned critical sectors such as transport infrastructure, human settlements, public health and education infrastructure.

Each project has been executed with meticulous planning, robust stakeholder engagement, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

In the Transport infrastructure branch, we have made significant strides in upgrading our road networks, enhancing our transportation systems, and promoting sustainability.

This did not come without challenges.

Due to severe weather conditions over the past few years our transport network was badly damaged, putting tremendous strain, not only on our budget, but also on the local economy where these portions of roads are situated, affecting local communities.

To date, our expenditure on repairing our roads is in excess of R230 million, all from our own provincial funding.

But I am very pleased with the department’s response to these unforeseen crises.

The Citrusdal road has been severely damaged by floods, obstructing access to the N7. But our teams were on the ground in record time and ensured that one-way traffic is possible.

My department and I understand the critical role that roads play in connecting communities, while sustaining and growing local economies and we, therefore, prioritise road maintenance to ensure safe usage of our roads.

Our efforts are not only improving safety, connectivity and reducing travel times but also acting as an economic catalyst for the freight, commerce, and agricultural sectors, enabling our economy to grow to create more job opportunities in the province.

Our social infrastructure has seen a dedicated push towards reducing the backlog and helping to ensure that all citizens have access to safe, affordable, and dignified living conditions.

Our human settlement projects are designed to be inclusive and to foster community integration, supporting a diverse and vibrant social fabric.

Of our annual budget, R2.23 billion has been allocated for Human Settlements development with the department having already delivered well over 40 000 quality housing opportunities over the past 5 years.

This, despite many adverse challenges.

Extortion, unlawful occupation and Illegal invasion of public property have been major obstacles in the Western Cape Government’s path to building communities that enable residents to prosper.

In the 2023/24 financial year, the national department unilaterally cut our budget by over R500 million, because sites earmarked for development with dedicated funding were illegally invaded, leaving projects non-implementable.

This continues to place enormous strain on our ability to deliver housing opportunities to deserving qualifying beneficiaries in the province, who legally await their opportunity.

Let me be very clear: we recognise that together with our residents we as government must work to address the scale of the affordable housing delivery.

But resorting to illegal occupation is not and can never be the solution.

Two prominent sites currently earmarked for affordable housing projects in the inner-city are the Woodstock Hospital, which is owned by the City of Cape Town, and the Helen Bowden Nurses Home near the V&A Waterfront owned by the WCG, are currently illegally occupied.

The Department of Infrastructure has spent over R19 million on security and maintenance at the Helen Bowden site alone.

Again, this causes project delays and wastes money that is earmarked for settlement development.

I am, however, pleased by our government’s perseverance and the daily effort that goes into serving our people.

In the 2023/24 financial year the Department facilitated the delivery of 5 028 housing opportunities, benefitting approximately 16 400 people, and handed over 5 007 title deeds against a target of 3 600.

This showcases our commitment, despite adverse challenges, to uplifting our communities, especially the poorer communities, and to building infrastructure that provides residents with the opportunity for a better, prosperous future.

But we did not do this alone.

One of the cornerstones of our successes has been the strong partnerships we have cultivated with private sector stakeholders, law abiding local communities, and transversal government entities.

Collaboration and a shared vision have been instrumental in overcoming obstacles and achieving goals.

As we reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, we also look ahead with a sense of purpose and determination.

The upcoming year presents new opportunities and challenges, and we are prepared to address them with the same vigour and commitment that have brought us to this point.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated team at the Department of Infrastructure and my ministry, whose tireless efforts and unwavering dedication have been the driving force behind our achievements.

I also wish to thank our partners, stakeholders and the people of the Western Cape for their continues support and trust.

Together, we will continue to build a prosperous and resilient Western Cape, where every individual can thrive and contribute to our shared success.

Thank you.