Picture: NCOP visit to Northern Cape
By AGISANANG SCUFF
24 August 2026 – The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Northern Cape delegation commended the provincial departments for the improvements it described as remarkable in implementing infrastructure projects since the last two Provincial Week visits. However, the delegation remains concerned about the persistent implementation gaps in areas, including municipal capacity, financial management and accountability as the central challenges confronting the province.
The Provincial Whip, Patrick Mabilo said while the delegation acknowledged pockets of progress, it highlighted the recurring patterns of contractor failures, project delays, reliance on consultants and inadequate financial management that continue to undermine service delivery and diminish public trust. Mabilo said the Auditor-General highlighted excessive reliance on consultants and R656 million in irregular expenditure across municipalities.
“Nine municipalities remain distressed with 30 of 144 senior management posts vacant. Non-revenue water stands at approximately 45%, resulting in an estimated R2.93 billion annual revenue loss. No water system achieved Blue Drop certification in the 2023 assessment.
“The visit of the delegation to the province was part of the annual Provincial Week of the NCOP – an oversight and public participation programme, to assess progress on previous recommendations and examine the state of service delivery in the Sol Plaatje, Siyancuma and Siyathemba local municipalities,” he said.
Mabilo further said during the visit, the delegation inspected water treatment plants, housing projects and a tiger-eye mining plant. He added that they have seen that the Northern Cape’s principal challenge is not the absence of plans or commitments, but weak implementation and follow-through.
“The effectiveness of the NCOP oversight process will depend on time-bound implementation of recommendations, regular reporting on undertakings and firm consequence management where commitments are not honoured. In the Siyancuma Local Municipality, significant delays plague the 150 low-cost Housing Programme in Griekwastad, Schmidtsdrift, Campbell and Bongani. The project, originally intended to take eight months, has now been running for approximately 24 months, with only 20 of 150 houses completed.
“The municipality has qualified audit opinions for four consecutive years, with R66 million in unauthorised expenditure and approximately R21.256 million in irregular expenditure. The municipality owes approximately R321 million to Eskom and water boards,” said Mabilo.
He said revenue collection sits at approximately 49%, contributing to cash-flow constraints. Mabilo said the Schmidtsdrift Communal Property Association raised serious concerns regarding insufficient post-restitution support, lack of financial and institutional capacity, and poor cooperation from government departments.
“The community also reported severe water shortages and a poor gravel road to Douglas that is used daily by learners. In the Siyathemba Local Municipality, the municipality has received qualified audits for five consecutive years, with R611 million in unfunded budget overspend (dating back to 2011) and R350 million in Eskom debt.
“The stalled housing development in Prieska remains a critical concern. Phase 2 of the project, comprising 200 units, has 61 incomplete houses following contractor default in 2023. The incomplete site has become a hub for vandalism and criminal activities,” he said.
The Guardian 