DA demands accountability after R39m allocated to troubled Ekurhuleni project
The DA has slammed the move as fiscally irresponsible, calling it a “reward for failure” amid ongoing service delivery challenges and mounting public frustration.
The allocation of an additional R39m to the long-delayed SAAME building project has sparked outrage from the opposition party, which has labelled the decision a “reward for failure” and a betrayal of public trust.
The controversial project, plagued by years of delays, escalating costs, and mismanagement, has received yet another financial injection under the direction of Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza. Critics argue the city can no longer afford such reckless spending.
“We oppose the mayor’s decision to allocate an additional R39m, as this is a reward for failure. Injecting more funds into this project is fiscally irresponsible and undermines public trust,” said Sihle Molebatsi, DA City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson on real estate.
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The party maintains that poor planning, lack of political will, and systemic governance failures have driven the project to this point.
They have called for direct accountability from the former MMCs of Real Estate and Finance, the head of department (HOD), and the project manager.
No feasibility study
The DA said the root cause of the crisis lies in the absence of a proper feasibility study. “The city proceeded without determining whether refurbishment was more viable than demolition.
“This led to mismatched scopes of work and multiple variation orders, costing the city millions,” said Molebatsi.
The opposition suggests all future major capital projects undergo independent third-party feasibility studies, with clear, evidence-based budgeting overseen by professional technical teams, rather than politically driven agendas.
ALSO READ: Audit exposes R272m mismanagement at Ekurhuleni’s SAAME building
Oversight reforms
When asked how the DA would prevent similar failures in future projects, Molebatsi said the party proposes several oversight reforms, including the appointment of independent third-party quantity surveyors and cost verifiers for all large-scale infrastructure projects, the formation of a new Infrastructure Oversight Subcommittee, a strict procurement system to exclude politically connected contractors, strengthening Section 79 oversight committees to compel regular reporting by officials, and real-time expenditure tracking and reporting to council.
He said these measures are critical, especially given the consistent concealment of project delays and setbacks, as highlighted in recent reports.
Priorities for the city
Molebatsi added that with communities in Ekurhuleni facing water shortages, power cuts, crumbling roads, and inadequate sanitation in informal settlements, channeling more money into a failing project is wasteful and unjust.
“At a time when basic services are falling apart, this R39m could have made a real difference in repairing electricity infrastructure, upgrading sanitation, or fixing long-neglected roads,” he said.
He confirmed the party will continue pressuring the administration to prioritise accountability, transparency, and service delivery, calling for a complete re-evaluation of how the city funds and manages its capital projects.
“Our communities deserve better than endless excuses and escalating costs. We need responsible leadership, not another blank cheque for failure,” said Molebatsi.
