By Steve Fleitz
IN the heart of South Africa’s administrative capital, Tshwane, a series of administrative mishaps and mismanagement have continuously marred the tenure of Cilliers Brink.
The management of water resources, a fundamental component for any urban area, has been notably deficient under his watch, leading to severe consequences for residents, particularly in areas like Hammanskraal.
The ongoing water crisis in Hammanskraal exemplifies the horrible situation where residents have suffered long periods without access to clean water. This crisis has been further exacerbated by mismanaged proposals and delayed procurements which have blocked the required interventions.
In what appears as a cascade of ineptitude, the Auditor-General's report illuminated the grim financial state of Tshwane, marking it with irregular expenditures running into billions of rand alongside a history of budget deficits driven by overestimated revenues and unchecked spending.
The city’s financial woes extend beyond mere mismanagement of funds to its handling of substantial debts. Tshwane owes a staggering R6 billion to Eskom, servicing this debt with monthly payments of R20 million.
Despite these large payments, residents in some sectors, like Ikageng in Mamelodi, have been without water for five years, yet they continue to receive monthly bills. This contrast between financial obligations and service delivery underscores a broader systemic failure, highlighting a disconnect that has terrible consequences for public health and well-being.
Adding complexity to Brink’s tenure is the issue of personnel management and alleged favoritism. Cilliers Brink’s recent appointment of Alt Dana Wannenburg, a long-time figure in Tshwane politics and reportedly linked to government contracts, has raised eyebrows.
This move is seen as indicative of Brink’s reluctance to embrace new ideas or solutions, instead rotating familiar faces within the Democratic Alliance (DA) cadre. This appointment has led to a perception that Brink is not seeking to refresh his team with new talent but rather to keep a close-knit circle of old allies.
This perception is supported by criticisms that Brink predominantly surrounds himself with white individuals loyal to the DA, as mentioned in some reports by The Citizen. Such decisions contribute to the sentiment that there is a lack of diversity and inclusiveness in his leadership approach, which can be alienating to the broader community.
The ramifications of poor organisational structure and financial mismanagement in Tshwane are profound. The city’s procurement processes have been plagued by corruption and inefficiency, resulting in delays in crucial infrastructure projects.
This history of corrupt practices in supply chain management has significantly hindered the city from acquiring the materials necessary to address and resolve infrastructure deficiencies promptly.
This confluence of financial mismanagement, inadequate crisis management, and questionable personnel decisions has left residents of Tshwane, particularly in disadvantaged areas like Hammanskraal and Mamelodi, suffering from inadequate water supply and related health crises.
The administrative failures have exacerbated conditions of poverty and disease, perpetuating a cycle of neglect that calls for immediate and sweeping changes in leadership and policy direction.
The evidence and reports from various sources such as the Daily Maverick paint the worst picture of governance under Cilliers Brink. There is a growing consensus that for Tshwane to move forward and address the myriad of issues it faces effectively, there is an urgent need for new leadership.
Stakeholders suggest that smaller parties such as the Patriotic Alliance or Action SA might bring the necessary dynamism and perspective needed to rejuvenate Tshwane’s administrative approaches and restore trust among its residents.
Steve Fleitz is a writer and researcher in political and strategic affairs. The views expressed here are his own.