GOOD Statement by Ricardo Van Der Merwe,
GOOD Saldanha Bay Municipality Councillor
07 May 2025
In January, it was reported that the Saldanha Bay Municipality had spent only 20% of its capital budget. Three months later, that figure stands at just 35%, a disappointing increase of 15%. This translates to only R118 million spent out of a budgeted R336 million, far below the projected R286 million (85%) that should have been spent by the end of March 2025.
With the financial year nearing its end, the Municipality has failed to spend half their budget, even when including projects still in the procurement phase. This has direct consequences for the residents, roads remain unbuilt, infrastructure upgrades stall, and essential services are not delivered.
In the previous two financial years, the Municipality spent R239 million and R217 million, respectively, falling short of the proposed budget. This continued underperformance highlights serious issues in planning, execution, and financial management. Approving a budget is not the same as delivering on it. We must move beyond signing off on spreadsheets and start translating rands into real, visible progress.
The Saldanha Bay Municipality is once again on a path toward significant
rollovers and missed targets. It is time for accountability and action. Capital budgets must translate into tangible improvements, not unfulfilled promises and unspent funds.
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