-Staff Writer / Wed, 31 Dec 2025
The Public Protector(PP) has finalised 768 investigations in just three months, uncovering persistent service delivery failures and delays by government departments, with poor road infrastructure in the North West among the cases drawing sharp criticism.
Advocate(Adv). Kholeka Gcaleka said the findings reflect both progress and ongoing challenges within public administration.
“While the majority of complaints were finalised within prescribed timeframes, the investigations continue to reveal delays and failures that undermine service delivery to communities,” said Adv Gcaleka.
The Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) released its third-quarter performance report for the 2025/2026 financial year on Wednesday, showing that 88.2% of cases concluded during the quarter were finalised on time.
Of the cases finalised, 638 involved service delivery failures, 107 related to governance and integrity issues, and 23 were resolved through early intervention mechanisms. The office also reported improved use of Alternative Dispute Resolution, which accounted for 41.3% of resolved complaints.
One of the key cases highlighted involves Road Z456 in the Nyetse and Reagile villages in the North West, where residents complained about years of neglect by the Department of Public Works and Roads.
The complaint, lodged in March 2022, detailed how the deteriorating gravel road limited access to schools, clinics and workplaces, particularly during heavy rains.
Adv Gcaleka found that the department unduly delayed responding to the community’s requests, constituting improper conduct in terms of section 182(1)(a) of the Constitution and violating constitutional requirements for diligent and timely public administration.
As part of remedial action, the Public Protector directed the MEC for Public Works and Roads to implement commitments already made, including upgrading Roads Z456 and D2242 to tar standard and carrying out immediate gravel resurfacing using nano-modified technology.
Adv Gcaleka said the findings reinforce the need for government departments to act decisively on community complaints before they escalate into prolonged service delivery crises.
The province has for several years featured in the damning report of another SA’s Chapter nine institution Auditor-General’s (AG) Tsakani Maluleke’s reports.
Maluleke made the following findings against the North West:
Financial Instability: Many North West municipalities struggle with finances, failing to pay creditors, collect revenue, and facing high irrecoverable debt.
Governance Deficits: There’s a lack of capacity, with many municipalities lacking permanent Chief Financial Officers (CFOs).
Supply Chain Issues: Findings point to unfair procurement, awards to connected individuals (family, officials), and inadequate contract management.
Lack of Accountability: The AG’s office has noted a regression in governance, attributing it partly to management’s deliberate disregard for laws and regulations.
Interventions: AGSA is taking strong action, demanding accountability for mismanagement, such as pursuing debt recovery from officials.
News Junction (Gold Standard)