During Thursday’s council meeting of the Tshwane Metro, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) strongly condemned the proposal to write off R130 million in capital assets relating to incomplete infrastructure projects.
This step is nothing but a calculated attempt to repaint large-scale administrative failure as a simple accounting correction.
This massive financial loss is the direct result of ongoing poor project management and a total lack of coordination between departments.
The projects in question, which include critical road links, upgrades to water-scheme infrastructure and much-needed electricity substations, were abandoned halfway through.
In many cases, thousands were spent on designs and professional consultancy services that have since been rendered useless by the passage of time or poor planning.
As a result of the Metro’s incompetence, new contractors are often appointed who reject the original designs, consequently, the City and taxpayers end up paying for the same service twice.
The current administration’s attempt to dismiss this squandering as a mere “paper exercise” to balance the books is unacceptable and demonstrates a lack of respect for residents’ hard-earned money.
The Freedom Front Plus strongly condemns this laxity. At a time when Tshwane residents are severely affected by poor service delivery, the R130 million could have been put to much better use by completing the critical infrastructure projects in question and improving residents’ quality of life.
In light of the Metro’s pressing financial crisis, not a single cent may be lost due to administrative laxity and a lack of accountability.
The Freedom Front Plus insists that the matter should immediately be referred to the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) for thorough investigation.
The officials and persons responsible for the squandering should be held personally liable.
In addition, a professional and transparent project management system should be introduced to ensure that future capital expenditure does not disappear into an administrative bottomless pit.
