A pull-back in spending on plant, machinery, new construction works and transport equipment saw capital expenditure in the public sector fall by 4,3% in 2017, according to Stats SA’s latest Capital expenditure by the public sector report.

Capital expenditure is money that an institution spends to buy, maintain or upgrade fixed assets, such as buildings, vehicles, land and equipment. A decline in spending on fixed assets by 360 of the 751 public-sector institutions¹ saw total capital expenditure fall from R283,3 billion in 2016 to R271,2 billion in 2017 (click on the chart to enlarge).

Transnet, which operates the country’s fuel pipelines, trains and ports, was a major contributor to the 4,3% decrease. The corporation spent R8,2 billion less on fixed assets, a fall from R33,6 billion in 2016 to R25,4 billion in 2017.

The National Department of Water Affairs and the Water Trading Entity were the second and third largest contributors to the decline in public-sector capital expenditure. The Department of Water Affairs scaled back on the maintenance of conveyance systems while the Water Trading Entity spent less on the construction of dams, sewerage pumps and water generators. Together, both institutions reduced capital expenditure by R4,4 billion. In fact, the nine water boards covered in the report indicated a 19% decline in total capital expenditure in 2017 compared with 2016.

Eskom and Transnet were the two biggest public-sector spenders on fixed assets, with Eskom responsible for 28% of total capital expenditure while Transnet was in second spot at 9%. Eskom increased its capital expenditure to R75,7 billion in 2017 from R73,0 billion in 2016, mainly due to its work on the Kusile power station.

South Africa’s 257 municipalities were responsible for 23% of total public-sector capital expenditure, with Johannesburg, Cape Town and eThekwini the largest contributors. New construction works represented the bulk (84%) of total municipal capital expenditure. eThekwini, for example, spent R4,9 billion on the construction of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network and rehabilitation of various roads within the city.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport was the largest contributor to provincial government capital expenditure. The department spent R3,5 billion on new construction, focussing on upgrading roads in areas such as Ulundi, Umzumbe, Maphumulo and AbaQulusi.

Higher education institutions, which comprise the country’s universities and universities of technology, contributed the least to total public-sector capital expenditure. The University of Stellenbosch, the biggest spender within this group, focused on upgrading lecture rooms and offices.

New construction works represented the biggest portion (69%) of total public-sector capital expenditure in 2017. Plant, machinery and equipment represented 17% of the R271,2 billion, followed by land and existing buildings (6%), transport equipment (2%), and leased assets and investment property (1%). ‘Other’ fixed assets contributed 4%.

For more information, download the latest Capital expenditure by the public sector report here.

¹ The 751 public-sector institutions include national and provincial government departments, municipalities, extra-budgetary accounts and funds, public corporations, and higher education institutions.

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