Protests over poor public service delivery have soared this year. While service delivery remains a critical issue an equally critical issue is the increasing proportion of deteriorating infrastructure, often resulting in a poor and often unacceptable quality of services.

The CSIR in a study undertaken on the ‘State of municipal infrastructure in South Africa and its operation and maintenance’ (2007) found that while some municipalities have exemplary practices in place in respect of infrastructure maintenance, gross shortfalls in management policies and practice exist in many municipalities. Between these two extremes, a wide range of capacity and competence can be found.

Several systemic issues contribute to infrastructure maintenance in South Africa. In many municipalities, budgets and staffing policies are severely inhibitive of sound infrastructure maintenance, thereby placing much infrastructure at risk. The great majority of municipalities are not making adequate provision for the long-term preventive maintenance, refurbishment and eventual replacement of their infrastructure.

In reaction to massive service backlogs and the increasing protests, government is investing heavily into infrastructure. Without adequate systematic asset operation, maintenance and prioritised rehabilitation this massive investment is jeopardised. Both the public and private sectors are seeking ways to radically enhance maintenance performance. This dialogue provides the platform to review progress, debate constraints and identify opportunities for constructively moving forward.

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