Minister Simmers gives update on district municipalities’ Roads Financial Assessment Report
Media Release by Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers
On Tuesday, 22 April 2025, the Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, and officials of the provincial Department of Infrastructure (DOI) engaged mayors, councillors and officials of the Central Karoo, Cape Winelands and Garden Route district municipalities to discuss the discontinuation of their roads agency function from 1 April 2026, the implementation of the New Provincial Roads Delivery model, and the reasoning behind this move.
Leading up to the engagements, in the case of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), the DOI gave notice to the Municipal Manager (MM) on 29 October 2024, that a financial inspection on the allocations made to the GRDM pertaining to their roads department will soon commence. On 30 October 2024, the MM acknowledged receipt of the notice.
The Financial Inspection Report made 18 findings and five recommendations. Subsequently, at the meeting held on 22 April, the DOI’s Head of Department, Chantal Smith, notified the GRDM that the Financial Inspection Report will be formally forwarded to the Mayor and submitted to the Western Cape Provincial Forensics Services (PFS) to conduct a forensic investigation for the period of 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025. The request to the PFS was made on 6 May 2025. The Mayor was formally informed of the referral to PFS.
In terms of the Cape Winelands District Municipality, the Executive Mayor Elna Von Schlicht, the council and top management welcomed the shift to a new Provincial Roads Delivery Model. Mayor Von Schlicht requested that a similar financial investigation be conducted at the CWDM.
Minister Simmers said, “The cooperation of municipalities with regards to these necessary assessments, and subsequent changes, is commendable. I am proud of the transparent and responsible manner in which my department dealt with these matters. Relevant district municipalities have been duly informed of all developments, including the initial financial inspection and the forensic investigations that are to commence.”
“The Western Cape Government aims to ensure good governance, transparency and accountability, that will improve service delivery in our districts, because at the heart of all our endeavours are the residents of these districts. The role our road infrastructure plays in the economy cannot be underestimated. By improving the delivery of road infrastructure, we will grow our economy to create many more job opportunities. This is our main focus,” Minister Simmers added.
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Media enquiries:
Melt Botes
Spokesperson for Provincial Minister Tertuis Simmers
Tel: 021 483 8067
Cell: 082 431 0068
Email: Melchior.Botes@westerncape.gov.za
Celeste Nell
Acting Head of Communication
Department of Infrastructure
Email: Celeste.Nell@westerncape.gov.za