EASTERN CAPE — The escalating crisis of Eastern Cape abandoned projects has reached a critical point, with 87 infrastructure developments left incomplete across the province during the 2024/25 financial year. According to recent disclosures, these stalled initiatives are severely crippling service delivery, particularly in rural communities where basic sanitation and housing remain out of reach.
The human cost of this infrastructure collapse is starkly visible at Nonyameko Primary School, located in Ndakana village outside Stutterheim. For more than three years, a critical sanitation facility at the school has sat unfinished after the hired builder ran out of funds. Consequently, young Grade R students are forced to use open fields as makeshift restrooms. Meanwhile, older learners and teaching staff are relegated to dilapidated toilet blocks originally constructed in the 1980s.
School administrators warn that the situation poses a severe safety hazard, noting that an accident in the open fields could have devastating consequences for the institution. Frustration is palpable among the school community, with many stakeholders directing their anger at the government for the prolonged lack of basic amenities.
Addressing the widespread crisis, Eastern Cape Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Siphokazi Lusithi confirmed the staggering number of deserted sites. She noted that the 87 abandoned construction projects span the housing, water, and sanitation sectors. Lusithi shared these insights while attending the launch of the Construction Industry Development Board’s (CIDB) Certificate in Construction Management in KuGompo City. She pointed directly to the financial insolvency and general inability of these firms to execute their contractual duties as the primary culprits.
However, industry researchers and departmental officials note that the root causes extend beyond simple bankruptcy. A major issue is the unprofessionalism and lack of practical experience within the sector. While systemic hurdles like delayed government payments frequently trigger site desertions, experts emphasize that builders must also improve their compliance and contract administration skills to properly hold the state accountable.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure highlighted that many builders simply fail to comprehend the legislative mandates and obligations they assume the moment they sign a state contract. Officials stressed that government tenders require a specific grading level to ensure firms have the financial “muscle” to sustain operations, especially since the state is committed to a 30-day payment cycle.
In a bid to curb this trend, the CIDB has officially blacklisted 52 construction companies to date for deserting their sites. Despite this crackdown, the financial hangover continues; the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure warns that reviving these dead projects places a massive strain on the departmental budget, as funds must be diverted to source and appoint entirely new contractors to finish the job.