The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Limpopo notes with grave concern the contents of the SCOPA tracking report on the 2024/25 performance of the Limpopo Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA – Vote 11).
The report paints a picture of a department that has normalised financial mismanagement, misrepresentation of facts to the Legislature, and weak consequence management — all while communities in Limpopo suffer from incomplete housing projects, stalled infrastructure, and poor service delivery.
R2.1 BILLION IRREGULAR EXPENDITURE – AND ONLY WRITTEN WARNINGS
The Department closed the 2024/25 financial year with R2.110 billion in irregular expenditure, with over R550 million incurred in the current year alone.
Eleven implicated officials were merely issued final written warnings — with no evidence attached to substantiate decisive disciplinary action.
This is not consequence management.
This is administrative protection of wrongdoing.
At a time when thousands of families remain without proper housing, R2.1 billion being treated as a paperwork inconvenience is an insult to the people of Limpopo.
EIGHT YEARS OF AUDIT STAGNATION
COGHSTA has remained stuck on an unqualified audit opinion with matters of emphasis for eight consecutive years.
Worse still, the Department inflated its audit action plan progress, claiming 90% resolution of findings, when actual figures show only 74% resolved.
This reflects a pattern of:
Inflated compliance reporting
Misrepresentation to oversight structures
Failure to implement sustainable corrective measures
Eight years without improvement is not stagnation — it is systemic collapse.
MISREPORTING TO THE LEGISLATURE
The Department misrepresented the number of resolved House Resolutions, reporting 59 resolved cases (80%) when the actual number is 57 (77%).
This discrepancy raises serious concerns about:
Integrity of reporting
Reliability of departmental data
Respect for legislative oversight
When a department cannot report accurately on its own resolutions, it cannot be trusted with billions of rands meant for the poor.
FRUITLESS AND WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE CONTINUES
The Department recorded R115.9 million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
Some matters remain under SIU investigation, yet the Department seeks to write off certain expenditures while investigations are still ongoing.
The EFF rejects any premature write-offs while accountability processes are incomplete.
LITIGATION RISK DISGUISED AS “DORMANT”
COGHSTA is facing 349 litigation cases amounting to over R412 million. The Department has reduced its “active contingent liability” on paper by classifying cases as “dormant.”
Dormant does not mean dismissed.
If even a portion of those cases resume, the fiscal exposure of the province will increase dramatically.
THE REAL VICTIMS ARE THE PEOPLE OF LIMPOPO
While billions are irregularly spent:
Housing targets are not met.
Title deeds are delayed.
Traditional council infrastructure stands unused.
Communities remain trapped in informal settlements.
Young people remain unemployed despite “job creation” targets.
This is not a technical governance problem.
It is political negligence.
EFF DEMANDS:
A full forensic investigation into the R2.110 billion irregular expenditure, including personal accountability for implicated officials.
Immediate suspension of all officials linked to serious financial misconduct pending the outcome of investigations.
A public report detailing disciplinary processes, outcomes, and recovery plans within 30 days.
Immediate tabling of a credible, independently verified audit action plan before the Legislature.
The halting of any write-offs relating to fruitless and wasteful expenditure until SIU investigations are concluded.
A comprehensive plan to accelerate housing delivery and clear title deed backlogs across Limpopo.
A full disclosure of all 349 litigation cases and their financial risk exposure to the province.
The EFF will not allow COGHSTA to continue functioning as a financial black hole while the people of Limpopo live without dignity.
Public funds are sacred.
They are not a playground for administrative incompetence.
The time for cosmetic compliance is over.
Accountability must begin now.
