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COMMENTARY: Underspending on repairs and maintenance impacting Joburg infrastructure

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In January 2014, the National Treasury published Municipal Finance Management Act Circular no. 71, which mandated that municipalities allocate at least 8% of the carrying value of their property, plant, equipment, and investment property to repairs and maintenance activities. This directive aimed to ensure that municipalities prioritize the upkeep and preservation of their assets. A civil society group called Organization Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has, through its initiative JoburgCAN, highlighted that the city of Johannesburg consistently under-budgets for essential repairs and maintenance tasks. The city's financial reporting also lacks accuracy and consistency, with significant variations in numbers from year to year without any explanation. JoburgCAN analyzed the city's reported spending on repairs and maintenance from 2014/15 to 2023/24, along with the projected spending for 2024/25. This analysis covered a period of ten years since the Treasury set a standard of 8% for ma
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CAREERTIP: Stand up for what is right

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Despite the challenges presented by an industry driven by politics rather than merit, In this hardhatCAREERTIP Construction Professional Zuko Peter advises aspiring construction and building professionals to remain steadfast in upholding ethical standards and advocating for quality and integrity.


In the construction industry, the influence of politically connected people has led many qualified professionals to lose interest in their chosen field. The qualified individuals are often overlooked for available positions, as less-experienced individuals with political connections are prioritized for employment. This has resulted in qualified professionals becoming sidelined.

It is the responsibility of experienced professionals to take a stand against this unjust system, rather than fearing retaliation. If they remain silent, the industry will continue to suffer.

Working alongside politically connected individuals without compromising ethical standards is a difficult task for professionals in the industry. They often have to agree with decisions they disagree with in order to keep their jobs. These professionals are often forced to cut corners, but are held accountable when things go wrong.

My advice to aspiring professionals is to take a proactive approach and stand up for what's right, even if it means taking risks. In the long run, this approach will provide a stronger foundation for success and accountability in the industry.

Zuko Peter - is a Construction Professional with a National Diploma in Building Engineering with over 12 yrs experience in various positions working on Civil and Building sector.

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