South Africa’s capital city loses R155 million

The Tshwane Metro’s failure to complete basic processes on time has resulted in the National Treasury (NT) reclaiming R155.4 million in development funds.

This was revealed in the city’s latest progress report on grants and subsidies for the period ending 30 June 2026.

Large amounts intended for basic services such as safe drinking water, sewerage systems and roads remained unspent or are forfeited.

 Local projects in the Tshwane Metro reveal the extent of the problem:

• Tshwane’s public transport budget was cut by R224 million (42.7%) due to persistent underperformance.
• Of the funds that were received for the public transport budget, a further R24 million (8%) was not spent.
• R7 million was allocated to roads in Hammanskraal (Mfumo Street), but performance stands at 0%.
• Water and neighbourhood networks in Mamelodi Extension 11 stand at 0% expenditure.
• The Parkmore Reservoir is at 55% expenditure, with 45% remaining unspent due to the contractor abandoning the site.
• Sewer pipe replacements in the North, the CBD and Pretoria West ground to a halt after contracts expired and new tenders were cancelled.
• Mabopane Block A (roads) achieves only 3% performance, while Stinkwater flood control stands at just 29% expenditure.
• R14.2 million of the HIV/Aids budget was not spent because local educators were not contracted on time.

The Freedom Front Plus slated the Tshwane Metro’s performance, saying residents’ rights are trampled.

It demanded that disciplinary steps be taken against the officials responsible for the loss of R155 million because statutory notices were not issued on time.

In addition, the party called for urgent investigations into tenders signed at the last minute and officials who allow contracts to expire.

“Such practices undermine good governance and expose the city to needless risks,” the Freedom Front Plus said.

It insisted that contractors who abandon work should not only be fined, but also blacklisted so that they cannot benefit from public funds again.