Despite land invasions, extortion, budget cuts and floods, the WCG continues to press ahead with infrastructure delivery

9 October 2024

The Department of Infrastructure today tabled its Annual Report for the 2023/24 financial year, which showed that despite land invasions, extortion, budget cuts and severe flooding damage, the Western Cape Government (WCG) continues to push forward in building critical infrastructure to take the Western Cape into the future.

The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) has successfully delivered 5 028 housing opportunities, comprising 3 706 housing units, 243 non-credit linked subsidies, and 1 079 credit-linked subsidies. These housing developments have benefitted an estimated 16 400 people, based on an average household size of 3.3, as indicated by the 2022 census. Additionally, the DOI facilitated the delivery of 693 serviced sites and registered 5 007 title deeds—surpassing expectations through improved departmental processes.

Over the past five years, the department has delivered over 40 000 quality housing opportunities, supported by a R2.23 billion annual budget allocation for human settlement development. These achievements have been realised despite the adversities that have threatened the province's infrastructure development.

Illegal land occupations, unlawful property invasions, and extortion have posed major obstacles to building the housing that the Western Cape’s residents need. In the 2023/24 financial year, the national government unilaterally cut the Department’s budget by over R500 million, because sites earmarked for development with dedicated funding were illegally invaded, leaving projects non-implementable. This has put considerable strain on the province’s ability to deliver housing opportunities to the thousands of deserving beneficiaries who legally await their homes.

In addition to housing, the DOI has made significant strides in other key areas, including:

Constructing 4 new health facilities,

Building 2 new schools,

Creating 4 679 work opportunities, including 1 730 through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP),

Completing 7 general infrastructure projects; and

2 751 858 square meters of surfaced roads resealed.

Despite the challenges of budget cuts and criminal activities, the Western Cape Government continues to stand firm in its commitment to delivering vital infrastructure for its residents, building a foundation for a more prosperous and inclusive future for the residents of the Western Cape.

Issued by Dirk Wessels, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Infrastructure, 9 October 2024