Administrative laxity and gross maladministration in the Tshwane Metro, governed by the ActionSA/ANC/EFF coalition, are hampering the development of Booysens Extension 4 and exposing taxpayers to significant financial risks.
A recent report by the Metro’s Oversight Committee on Human Settlements paints a disturbing picture of recurring violations of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), poor project management and an utter lack of internal controls.
Contractors are not evaluated on a monthly basis, documentation and design issues are only addressed when problems arise, and poor supply chain processes lead to penalties, cost escalations and fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
In reality, the bottleneck is not with the contractors, but with the municipal administration. Landslides and illegal structures are exacerbating the situation, as the site was only partially prepared and then abandoned. This is the direct result of poor law enforcement and inadequate coordination between departments.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) sent a written request for a follow-up report to the Committee, so progress can be gauged and discussed.
Among other things, the following are demanded:
• a thorough independent investigation into the internal administrative delays;
• full disclosure of all cost escalations and variation orders;
• an urgent review of supply chain timelines; and
• regular quarterly feedback to the Council.
Booysens residents deserve an administration that manages the project professionally, transparently and financially sound – not one whose laxity hampers the development.
Residents should register and vote for the Freedom Front Plus on 4 November for better service delivery.
