Gauteng spends R22 million on sound systems while basic services lag

Residents of Gauteng are facing a growing frustration as essential services like water, electricity, and sanitation remain patchy, yet provincial departments have spent over R22 million on sound systems and stages for events in just the last 17 months.

Big spenders and the breakdown

According to the DA in Gauteng, the Department of e-Government, which rarely engages directly with the public, spent over R1.6 million on renting equipment. Community Safety, under the premier’s office, spent nearly R7.8 million, while the Department of Education shelled out R1.79 million.

Other departments also contributed to the staggering total:

• Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation: R9.03 million

• Department of Human Settlements: R1.56 million

• Department of Social Development: R140 000

• Department of Infrastructure: R33 500

• Department of Health: R14 470

The cumulative spend adds up to R22 004 500 – money that critics say could have gone toward fixing water leaks, upgrading electricity grids, or improving sanitation services.

DA raises alarm over priorities

Kingsol Chabalala of the DA called the spending “shocking,” pointing out that the province had already committed to insourcing equipment through the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation.

“This reckless expenditure occurred while the people of Gauteng are deprived of basic services,” Chabalala said. “It raises serious questions about whether these funds were spent for legitimate purposes or diverted elsewhere. Gauteng residents deserve better than duplicated functions that waste resources and undermine service delivery.”

The DA plans to write to Premier Panyaza Lesufi seeking clarification on why rented equipment and gig trucks were used when the province already had procured gear ready to go.

Lesufi’s previous commitment

Premier Lesufi had previously committed to centralising event equipment services to reduce unnecessary costs. “The Gauteng Provincial Government took a decision to centralise service related to event equipment like PA systems to the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation. This was to reduce the expenditure that was incurred by line items such as sound equipment, among others,” he said last year.

Public reaction and context

Social media users have slammed the provincial government, pointing out the irony of lavish spending while residents in townships and informal settlements struggle with basic utilities. Many called the expenditure “tone-deaf” and questioned whether officials were prioritising appearances over actual service delivery.

Observers note that Gauteng, often portrayed as South Africa’s economic hub, faces persistent service delivery challenges. Critics argue that lavish event spending highlights the disconnect between government priorities and everyday citizens’ needs.

The Gauteng government is now under pressure to justify the R22 million spend, especially as residents continue to face daily hardships, from burst water pipes to load-shedding interruptions.

{Source: The Citizen}

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