Multiparty coalition in Tshwane blames previous DA-led administration for R5bn unauthorised, fruitless expenditure

JOHANNESBURG - The multiparty coalition government in Tshwane has blamed the previous Democratic Alliance (DA)-led administration for the city racking up an over R5 billion bill in unauthorised, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

The Tshwane council received a report on Thursday on the city’s finances for the 2023/2024 financial year.

This period covers 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024, a few months before the current administration came into office.

A report tabled to the Tshwane council shows the capital recorded about R3.1 billion in fruitless and wasteful expenditure for the 2023/2024 financial year. 

At least R2.5 billion of this was carried from the previous financial year.

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The auditor general described this kind of expenditure as avoidable had reasonable care been taken by the accounting officer.

The report said interests in the city’s Eskom and Rand Water debts were the biggest contributors to the fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

"These are not the actions of a financially responsible government. It now falls to the multiparty coalition government in Tshwane to wrangle the exorbitant waste and get spending under control," said ActionSA Tshwane spokesperson, Tshepi Modiba.

The Tshwane council has adopted the reports recommending investigations into departments responsible for the unauthorised, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.