Provincial roads capex programme in South Africa: Planning and management inadequacies

The management of infrastructure programmes has been challenged with poor performance in South Africa. The implementation of road projects through Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) programmes by provincial Department of Public Works (DPW) is not an exception. To understand the performance challenges and proffer suggestions, a research study with the overall aim of identifying remedial actions that can mitigate the challenges in the programme was conducted. This research reports on the detrimental effects of planning and management issues experienced in the programme. The exploratory sequential research design method, which allows the collected qualitative data to build into the quantitative data for a broad interpretation of the findings, provides insights from the study. Analysis of the statistical and textual data points to rigid bureaucratic processes as the major cause of the CAPEX programme dilemma. Inadequate planning and insufficient in-house capacity also contributed to the problems encountered on the programme. The utilisation of the management structure in the programme can be deemed to be more ineffective in terms of the time lag relative to critical decisions that may stall the programme. The research findings imply that the Department should ensure that the Roads CAPEX Programme (RCP) is well resourced in terms of expertise, and the planning processes should be detailed enough to support the flow of both programme and project activities.