GOOD Statement by Roxaan Vorster,
GOOD George Municipality Councillor
01 August 2025
The latest 4th Quarter Budget Monitoring Report reveals a deeply concerning picture of poor planning, weak implementation, and misplaced priorities under the DA-led coalition government in George.
Over R200 million in development funds, including R176 million in unspent conditional grants and R34 million in the Housing Development Fund, remains idle, while residents continue to wait for housing, basic services, and vital infrastructure.
This is not just a technical delay. It reflects a fundamental failure of implementation. Grant conditions were not met, meaning capital revenue could not be recognised, a recurring pattern in this administration.
The report shows that of the R1.6 billion approved in the adjustment budget, only R1.1 billion was spent. Major projects have been delayed or derailed – from flood recovery works to stalled housing projects in Gwaing and Metroground due to redesigns and poor scoping.
In June alone, the Municipality issued R106 million in procurement deviations, with R105 million going to a single contract with Solvern Consulting to “enhance the ICT strategy.” Such a large, uncompetitive award demands full public scrutiny.
Performance-wise, key service delivery targets were missed. Most notably, the Municipality failed to meet its own target for indigent water provision by more than 3,700 households, a clear failure to serve the most vulnerable.
Meanwhile, the personnel training budget was once again underspent, contradicting repeated commitments to build internal capacity.
Even on the revenue side, performance fell short and the Municipality achieved a 92.58% collection rate, below the 95% norm. This shortfall translates to millions in lost income, even as residents face tariff hikes.
This report confirms what the GOOD Party has long warned that this administration is good at budgeting on paper, but not at delivery in practice.
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