Media Release                                                                                                                                      31 October 2019

                                                   Capital expenditure by the public sector for 2018

The total capital expenditure by public sector institutions decreased by 8% (R22 billion), from R272 billion in 2017 to R250 billion in 2018. Although at a declining rate, public corporations recorded the highest public sector Capital Expenditure (capex) for 2018 at R111 billion compared to R127 billion in 2017. This was followed by a 4% decline by municipalities, from R62 billion in 2017 to R60 billion in 2018. This is according to the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) 2018 report released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) today.

The report further indicates that provincial government capex increased slightly to R35 billion in 2018 from R34 billion in 2017, recording an increase of 2%, while extra-budgetary accounts declined by 13% recording a total of R23 billion in 2018 from R27 billion in 2017. National government capex declined by 5% (from R16 billion in 2017 to R15 billion in 2018) while higher education institutions capex remained more or less at R6 billion.

When looking at capex by the type of key assets category, the results show that increases were recorded for land and existing buildings (R3 billion) from R18 billion in 2017 to R21 billion in 2018 and transport equipment (R1 billion) from R6 billion in 2017 to R7 billion in 2018. Decreases were recorded for capital expenditure on new construction works from R182 billion in 2017 to R161 billion in 2018, ‘other fixed assets’ from R10 billion to R6 billion, plant, machinery and equipment from R52 billion to R51 billion and while leased assets and investment property remained steady at approximately R4 billion.

The CAPEX report is based on the findings of the annual survey covering public sector institutions in South Africa. The results of this survey are used to furnish the private and public sectors with broad-based capex statistics, by type and by institution.

The full statistical release is available on the Statistics South Africa website: www.statssa.gov.za

Issued by Statistics South Africa

Technical enquiries:

Mr. Malibongwe Mhemhe

Director: Local Government Institutions

Tel: (012) 310 6928

Cell: 082 906 8964

Email: MalibongweM@statssa.gov.za

Mrs. Elizabeth Makhafola

Acting Chief Director: Government Financial Statistics

Tel: (012) 310 8977

Cell: 082 888 9062

Email: ElizabethMa@statssa.gov.za

Mr. Joe de Beer

Deputy Director-General: Economic Statistics

Tel: (012) 310 8024

Cell: 082 888 2600

Email: JoeDB@statssa.gov.za

Media enquiries:

Ms. Felicia Sithole

Tel: (012) 337 2401

Email: FeliciaS@statssa.gov.za