GRDM responds to Good's deviation concerns

To provide context, the GRDM also compared its deviation values with other municipalities in the region. In the same period, George Municipality recorded deviations of R20.247m, Mossel Bay R53.749m and Swartland R18.339m.

GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has defended its use of procurement deviations after the Good Party raised its concerns over deviations amounting to more than R1m during Council proceedings on 27 January.

Good's Cllr Rosa Louw criticised what she described as "unhealthy" deviations during the October and November 2025 financial periods, warning that poor planning could lead to fruitless expenditure and corruption.

However, the municipality says these deviations were approved in line with supply chain management (SCM) regulations, were fully disclosed to Council, and are a necessary mechanism to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

Breakdown of deviations

According to the GRDM's MMC for Financial Services, Cllr Dave Swart, the deviations formed part of a public council item tabled on 27 January.

For October 2025, the approved deviations totalled R734 028.12, with the largest portion attributed to Roads and Transport Planning Services (R569 116.23), followed by the Office of the Municipal Manager (R110 273.97).

In November 2025, approved deviations amounted to R309 421.71, mainly within Corporate Services (R146 658.35) and Roads and Transport Planning Services (R114 792.50).

Why deviations occur

Swart explained deviations are used when the normal tender process cannot be followed, often due to urgent or unforeseen circumstances. "In simple terms, a deviation allows the municipality to procure goods or services when waiting for a full tender process would delay or disrupt essential services," he said.

He added that completely avoiding deviations could result in service delivery delays that negatively affect communities.

Deviations are regulated under SCM Regulation 36, which allows for exceptions under strict conditions and prior authorisation.

Oversight and Auditor-General concerns

Good raised its concerns that the Auditor-General had previously warned against the misuse of deviations.

In response, Swart said each deviation must be motivated to the accounting officer before it occurs, and that the GRDM does not exploit the process.

He pointed to a significant reduction in deviation values as evidence of improved oversight, noting that total deviations had decreased from R12.755m in 2023/24 to R3.139m in 2024/25.

Some deviations were disclosed as irregular expenditure due to differing interpretations with the Auditor-General, but Swart said these matters had been escalated to National Treasury for clarity.

Benchmarking with other municipalities

To provide context, the GRDM also compared its deviation values with other municipalities in the region. In the same period, George Municipality recorded deviations of R20.247m, Mossel Bay R53.749m and Swartland R18.339m.

"This demonstrates that even top-performing municipalities cannot operate without deviations from formal procurement processes," Swart said.

Good calls for investigation

Meanwhile, the Good Party has called for a thorough investigation into the causes of deviations, improved financial planning and stronger project management to prevent unnecessary expenditure.

The municipality maintains that it continues to review all expenditure with due diligence and remains committed to accountability, transparency and service delivery.