Limpopo’s R50 Million Municipal Building Scandal: Six Years of Delays and Accountability Denials

The Collins Chabane municipal building project in Limpopo has become a glaring example of mismanagement, with R50 million in taxpayer funds spent on a structure that remains incomplete six years after construction began in 2018.

Government departments, including the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and the Limpopo Provincial Department of Public Works, have distanced themselves from the debacle, leaving unanswered questions about accountability.

The building, located between the old Home Affairs offices and the Boxing Gym, has been left to deteriorate in adverse weather conditions. Despite the substantial expenditure, no meaningful progress has been made.

Municipal records reveal that 60% of the municipality’s 2023 grant funding was allocated to settle outstanding debts, leaving no budget for new projects in the 2024/25 financial year. Insiders warn of funding challenges for pending projects from prior years.

Minister Dean Macpherson’s spokesperson, James de Villiers, stressed that the department had no involvement in the project. “It is not involved in the municipality’s infrastructure spending or projects,” de Villiers said, adding that grant distribution queries should be directed to National Treasury or the provincial government.

Similarly, the Limpopo Provincial Department of Public Works stated that its responsibilities are limited to provincial infrastructure projects. Spokesperson Emmanuel Mongwe clarified: “The municipality in question is best positioned to address these media enquiries.”

An Auditor-General’s report from 2023 revealed that 15 municipalities in South Africa spent a combined R180 million on consultants, with much of the work deemed ineffective. Limpopo municipalities accounted for a significant portion of this, with Collins Chabane Municipality alone spending R29 million.

Municipal Manager Richard Shilenge defended the reliance on consultants, citing the challenges of establishing a new municipality. “You cannot establish a new municipality and expect to hire 200 people immediately while ensuring quality,” Shilenge explained.

He assured that steps are being taken to reduce dependency on consultants, with the finance department given a two-year timeline to manage operations independently.

As the incomplete building continues to deteriorate, taxpayers and residents of Limpopo are left questioning when, if ever, the project will reach completion. The lack of accountability and transparency surrounding the Collins Chabane municipal building is a stark reminder of the challenges in local governance.

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