Water project a mess, says Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu
Auditor-general says tardy and costly Eastern Cape endeavour is a reflection of maladministration in department, which he accorded a qualified audit
The Department of Water and Sanitation’s Mzimvubu project, which is behind schedule and has ballooning costs, was symptomatic of the maladministration in the department, Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu said on Thursday. He was addressing the portfolio committee on water and sanitation, providing an update on what was happening with the department’s 2016-17 audit outcomes, which it has disputed. The water and sanitation department is one of a few departments that have taken issue with the auditor-general’s reports into their finances. Makwetu said the department was suffering from financial constraints and delivery delays on projects as some projects had doubled in cost before they had even been completed. The Mzimvubu project in the Eastern Cape was identified as being among these. The department had previously sought R20bn against an initial budget of R14bn, even though only R153m had been spent. "The contractor procurement, site establishment and commencement of the construction were...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.