Tshwane councillors have blasted the previous administration’s failure to deliver a centralised command centre for the metro police department despite over a decade of work and a R5.3 million investment.

The council has resolved to write off the asset under construction during a council meeting at Tshwane House on Thursday.

ActionSA councillor Thabang Sebotsane condemned the waste of funds, saying the money allocated 13 years ago for the centralised command centre project has been squandered on unimplemented designs and discarded plans. 

“These are not just numbers; they represent broken promises by those who came before us for police officers who work day and night without adequate stations, tools, and the residents who endure crime while projects gathered dust,” he said.

He said that although his political party supports the decision to write off the asset, it is not a sign of defeat, but rather a first step towards a new beginning for Tshwane and its residents.

“Every project must answer how it will serve the people of Tshwane (and) not irregular and unjustified expenditure that benefits politicians and contractors,” he said.

ANC councillor Christopher Masia explained that the project aimed to establish a centralised command centre within the city. Initially included comprehensive design and planning phases, but as it progressed, the city faced significant budget constraints.

“From an accounting perspective, assets write-offs are standard practice when the future economic benefits of an asset are no longer expected to be realised,” he said.

Masia stressed that the city must take corrective action regarding asset management and classification to meet internal audit requirements.

“The assets cannot be used for any other purpose due to changing technologies, and current facts are that the designs and planning represent fruitless and wasteful expenditure,” he said.

DA councillor Alfred Makhafula said his party, which previously led the city’s administration, understands the reasoning behind writing off the metro police department’s assets categorised as designs and planning.

He cited the designs were no longer viable and the project stalled due to budget constraints.

“We are of the view that it is within the purview of the municipal public account after having scrutinised the report to determine the category of this expenditure,” he said.

Makhafula recommended that the R5.3m expenditure on the project be referred to the municipal public accounts committee for further investigation.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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