The Gauteng COGTA MEC, Uhuru Moiloa has failed to account for R500 million that has been spent so far on the Evaton Renewal Project (ERP) in the Emfuleni Local Municipality.

According to a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, MEC Moiloa revealed that R206 842 207 has been spent so far on this project.

These figures are contradictory to the report published by the Auditor General in 2016.

According to the AG report findings, R708 474 966.00 has been spent on the Evaton Renewal Project by the end of 2014/15 financial year.

The response by the then MEC for COGTA, Paul Mashatile regarding money spent on this project differs substantially from the latest response by the current MEC and is less than the amount stated in 2017.

The former MEC, Paul Mashatile stated that the cost of the Evaton Renewal Project (ERP) was R470 million.

It is now clear that the ANC-led Gauteng administration has no idea how much money has been spent on the ERP.

The ERP was initiated in 2004 and scheduled to be completed in 2014 at a budget of R100 275 304,57.

The project was meant to uplift and improve the lives of Evaton residents by developing roads, improving sanitation, delivering housing and creating an environment conducive for the local economy to grow.

There is nothing to show for all the money spent on this project thus far.

Evaton still remains one of Gauteng’s most neglected townships. There is no service delivery, residents are using pit toilets, the infrastructure is poor with gravel roads and potholes.

The department has absolutely no idea about what is happening with regards to this project. Since 2014/15, it is likely that the cost associated with this project has exceeded the amount stipulated considering that this department has given us conflicting figures.

The DA will write to the Public Protector requesting that an investigation be conducted to determine the exact amount of money spent to date on the ERP. Those who are found to be implicated in the misappropriation of funds and benefitted illegally must face the full might of the law.

It is clear that Gauteng needs change, the kind of change that only a DA-led government can deliver, where the people’s money is spent on improving the lives of our poor people, not politicians and their allies.

 

Issued by DA