Parliament, Thursday, 23 April 2026- The Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration (Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements and Water and Sanitation) have called on all spheres of government to prioritise proactive planning to ensure effective implementation and timely delivery of infrastructure projects.
This follows the conclusion of the first day of a joint oversight visit to assess infrastructure delivery within the Matlosana Local Municipality.
“The general trend within government is that projects are not proactively planned, and due to various delays, they are not implemented as scheduled, leading to the return of appropriated funds to the National Treasury. Effective planning, continuous monitoring, and strict adherence to project milestones are essential if infrastructure is to drive economic recovery and improve service delivery,” said Mr Rikus Badenhorst, Chairperson of the Select Committee on Public Infrastructure.
The committees received updates from several stakeholders, including the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the Department of Water and Sanitation, the North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, and Matlosana Local Municipality.
Members of the committees raised serious concerns about persistent delays in project implementation and the inability of some appointed contractors to deliver quality work. “The laxity in planning and project management has direct implications and undermines the socio-economic development potential of infrastructure investment in the municipality,” said Mr Mxolisi Kaunda, Chairperson of the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration.
The committees also highlighted the widespread problem of potholes across roads in the Matlosana Local Municipality, noting that road infrastructure is critical not only for mobility but also for economic growth and attracting investment and tourism. While welcoming the allocation of R115 million towards municipal interventions and contractor development, Members stressed that funding alone is insufficient without effective implementation.
They further welcomed assurances that the North West Department of Public Works and Roads will support municipalities in procuring pothole patching materials as part of coordinated efforts to strengthen road maintenance. In addition, the committees noted plans by the department to investigate the possible resuscitation of the batch plant owned by JB Marks Local Municipality to produce hot mix asphalt for both municipal and provincial roads.
On the repair and maintenance of the Klerksdorp Correctional Facility, the committees acknowledged visible progress in implementation and commended the quality of workmanship delivered thus far. However, Members cautioned that progress on site must not be undermined by administrative delays.
The committees called on the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to urgently fast-track the approval of the scope extension to allow the contractor to address the roof leakages. Members stressed that delays in authorising this work are directly affecting the ability of the Department of Correctional Services to utilise adequate space for inmates, placing further strain on an already pressured correctional system.
While welcoming assurances that penalties are being enforced for delays attributable to the contractor, the committees emphasised that consequence management must be applied consistently across all infrastructure projects. “It cannot be business as usual where delays continue without consequences. The enforcement of penalties must become standard practice to ensure accountability and timely delivery,” Members said.
The committees underscored that efficient contract management and swift decision-making are critical to ensuring that infrastructure projects deliver their intended outcomes without unnecessary cost escalations or operational constraints.
Meanwhile, the committees expressed concern over Matlosana Local Municipality’s poor performance in the Green Drop Report, where the municipality was classified as high risk, scoring 11.9%. This reflects significant challenges in the operation of wastewater treatment works. Despite receiving a R70 million allocation, the municipality has struggled with the rollout of upgrades and maintenance projects.
“It is unacceptable that a municipality facing such a critical crisis in managing wastewater infrastructure risks returning more than R23 million to the National Treasury due to delays. Officials and contractors must be held accountable for their role in the failure to deliver,” Mr Kaunda emphasised.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFRASTRACTURE AND MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY, MR RIKUS BADENHORST AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON COGTA, MR MXOLISI KAUNDA
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