The cause of the water infra-structure backlogs in Limpopo Province

Abstract

Water infrastructure has generally contributed to the development to most of the economic systems while it also served as basic human need. Availability of sustainable water infrastructure plays an important role throughout the human lifespan. Inadequate water services infrastructure and underspending on infrastructure projects has been affecting the reliability of water services provision in Limpopo province municipalities before and after the dawn of democracy in 1994. Qualitative data was collected through one on one interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The major findings with respect to the first research question was poor quality supervision, lack of capacity or inexperienced contractors, operations and maintenance of the existing infrastructure, inadequate budget, long procurement processes, political interference in the appointment of service providers and the change in political leadership. Lack of project management systems and poorly resourced, Inadequate funding and change in political leadership. The major findings with respect to the second research question were politically mandated professional service providers (PSPs), Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG)’s inability to release about ten percent of the total capital budget for planning purposes, system that does not allow multi-year financial commitment, conflict between administration, political leadership and long turnaround time in resolving disputes.