Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
(a) What are the reasons for the poor road and drainage infrastructure in municipalities and (b) what are the (i) plans and (ii) budget for the maintenance of road and drainage infrastructure in municipalities in the province and (c) what is the total breakdown of expenditure on road and drainage system maintenance per municipality in (i) 2014, (ii) 2015, (iii) 2016, (iv) 2017, (v) 2018, (vi) 2019, (vii) 2020 and (viii) 2021 to date?
a) Roads and stormwater (drainage) infrastructure in South Africa are designed according to the norms and standards as prescribed by the relevant South African Road Authority design manuals.
The budget for the maintenance of roads and stormwater (drainage) infrastructure is however, in most municipalities, insufficient to maintain the assets to the original intended designed lifespan, for the following reasons:
- Road and stormwater are non - revenue generating services, in comparison with services such as water, sanitation, refuse removal and electricity.
- No grants are available for roads and stormwater, unless directly linked to the support of indigent communities.
- Climate change makes rainfall and flooding more unpredictable
b) i. Plans to ensure optimal maintenance for roads and drainage systems include the following:
- Pavement management systems, ensuring that roads are maintained optimally within the available budgetary parameters.
- Maintenance scheduling and planning, ensuring that resources are utilized in the most cost-effective manner.
- Public participation, ensuring input from the public in respect of prioritization of budgets.
- Asset management, ensuring optimal management of assets, including roads and drainage systems.
b(ii) & (c) The budget for the maintenance of road and drainage infrastructure in the province and the total breakdown of expenditure for the period 2018/19 to 2019/20 is set out in Annexures A to B, attached to this written reply.
Verified figures for 2014/15 to 2017/18 is not available. The figures for the 2021 financial year will only be available once the annual financial statements for the 2021 year have been submitted. The actual expenditure referred to, was spent on stormwater pipes, channels, manholes, inlet and outlet structures, road surfaces, layer works, and kerbing.
Municipalities indicating a zero budget or zero expenditure, is indicative of zero budget and/or expenditure, as determined by the relative Council after due process.
