Gauteng Legislature flags overspending and poor performance in key departments

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature has raised red flags across three major departments — Human Settlements, Roads and Transport, and Education — as committee oversight and annual performance reports for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years were scrutinised this week.

Despite widespread concerns over overspending, underspending, stalled programmes, and weak financial controls, two of the departments saw their oversight reports adopted without objection.

– Human Settlements Under Fire for Overspending and Missed Maintenance Targets –

The Gauteng Legislature’s Human Settlements Portfolio Committee has criticised the department for what it calls “alarming overspending” and “unclear reporting” in its second quarter performance for the 2025/26 financial year.

The House adopted the committee’s oversight report on Tuesday, despite unresolved questions around hostel maintenance, expenditure, and performance reporting.

By the end of the second quarter, the department had spent 44% of its R6-billion budget, amounting to R2.6-billion — an overspend of R575-million. Committee chairperson, Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi, said the spike was linked to accelerated project payments and efforts to settle claims within 30 days.

However, the sharpest criticism centred on hostel upgrades. The department could not name the five hostels it claimed to have renovated, nor could it account for routine maintenance targets that were missed.

The committee is now demanding full disclosure, including hostel names, locations, completion status, and reasons behind performance failures. It has ordered the department to submit corrective action plans and all outstanding reports by 30 January.

Mokgethi said the department’s total expenditure reached R2.6 million by the end of the quarter.

– Roads and Transport Oversight Report Passed Despite Warning Signs –

Despite long-standing concerns about stalled projects, low spending and failing systems, the Department of Roads and Transport’s oversight report was adopted without any objections.

The latest report shows a department struggling with financial performance having spent only 21% of its budget in the most recent quarter. Its entities — G-Fleet, which handles provincial fleet leasing, and the Transport Authority Gauteng (TAG), which oversees transport planning — also reported low expenditure and persistent operational challenges.

Of 20 departmental targets, only 14 were achieved, while G-Fleet met just half of its performance indicators. Key concerns include delays to the 1E service, low BBBEE-compliant spending, and rising debtor days, raising questions about financial stability.

Committee chairperson, Gregory Schneeman, said the department would be required to urgently address these issues. The Committee has instructed the department to submit detailed progress updates by 30 January.

Despite this, the report passed without debate. The Committee has instructed the department to submit detailed progress updates by 30 January.

– Education Report Slammed for Irregular Spending and Failing Infrastructure –

The Gauteng Education Department faced fierce criticism from opposition parties during the tabling of its oversight report and the release of the 2024/25 annual report.

The Auditor-General flagged serious misstatements in performance reporting, procurement failures and widespread non-compliance. The department recorded R1.46-billion in irregular expenditure — nearly double last year’s R730-million. A further R1.5-billion in contracts remains under review for potential irregularities.

DA MPL, Sergio Dos Santos, described the situation as evidence of persistent negligence rather than progress.

The report also highlights failures in school nutrition procurement, security tender irregularities, and poor contract management around learning materials.

The EFF warned that ongoing school closures will again see parents unable to collect report cards due to unpaid fees, urging intervention from the department.

Safety in schools remains a major concern as incidents of violence, bullying and criminal activity continue — despite promises of a province-wide safety strategy.

Although the report was eventually adopted, parties warned the same failures will likely resurface without decisive leadership and long-term infrastructure planning.

The report also highlights failures in school nutrition procurement, security tender irregularities, and poor contract management around learning materials. The EFF warned that ongoing school closures will leave parents unable to collect report cards due to unpaid fees, urging urgent departmental intervention.

Safety in schools remains a major concern, with incidents of violence, bullying, and criminal activity continuing despite promises of a province-wide safety strategy.

Although the report was eventually adopted, opposition parties warned that without decisive leadership and long-term infrastructure planning, the same failures are likely to resurface.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe