The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport under MEC Siboniso Duma is in a full-blown financial crisis — and the numbers tell a story that no amount of spin can fix.

The department's budget for the 2026/27 financial year stands at R13.937 billion, yet it receives only 8.33% of its voted funds monthly — equivalent to R769 million — while projected monthly expenditure sits at R1.161 billion. (The Witness) The department is spending far more than it receives every single month. The result is a catastrophic backlog.

R1.8 Billion. Unpaid. Right Now.

The DA's provincial spokesperson on Transport, Riona Gokool, described the situation as a crisis, saying it has devastating consequences for contractors, small businesses, employees and service delivery across the province. (The Witness)

Officials pointed to "poor financial planning, weak expenditure controls, and the continued accumulation of accruals" as evidence of systemic governance failures within the department.

The department says it will implement an electronic invoice system and tighten budget controls. Words. Meanwhile, contractors are waiting.

200 Contractors. One Angry Room.

More than 200 contractors met urgently with the department, raising concerns about unpaid invoices and stalled projects. The department blamed technical glitches and cash-flow constraints at the provincial treasury for the delays — but KZN Treasury fired back, saying the Transport Department started the financial year with more than R2.6 billion in unpaid accruals and invoices. (EWN)

In other words: this mess existed before the year even began. And Duma's department pointed at Treasury anyway.

Potholes Declared "Public Enemy Number One" — But Who Is Paying to Fix Them?

MEC Duma declared potholes "public enemy number one" and launched what officials described as a renewed, no-nonsense approach to road maintenance. (The Witness) A new HOD, Zibusiso Dlamini, has been appointed and is conducting roadshows across the province.

Tough talk. But with contractors unpaid and invoices piling up, who exactly is going to fix those roads?

Finance MEC Already Issued a Warning

This crisis did not come without warning. KZN Finance MEC Francois Rodgers expressed serious dissatisfaction with how the Transport Department was managing its finances, particularly concerning supply chain management, and issued a stern warning. (The Witness) Duma's spokesperson dismissed the concerns as "not factual."

Weeks later, the R1.8 billion backlog became public record.

Licences, Bribes and Rogue Officials

The financial chaos is not the only fire Duma is fighting. Investigations have uncovered examiners taking bribes to pass applicants without proper testing, and all tests are now being audited as a result. (The Witness) Officials are under investigation. Court dates have been set.

The DA also raised concerns about Duma's failure to take strict, proactive measures against ongoing intimidation, harassment and extortion being faced by e-hailing drivers across KwaZulu-Natal. (Da)

One department. Multiple crises. One MEC trying to hold it all together.

The people of KwaZulu-Natal are still waiting for their roads to be fixed, their transport to be safe, and their tax money to be accounted for.