State spends billions but IT systems still failing

Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke. Picture: Gallo Images / Darren Stewart Government spending on IT runs into billions, yet systems remain weak, fragmented and vulnerable to security breaches, the Auditor-General has found. The Auditor-General’s latest report lays bare major failures in government IT delivery: 41 projects worth R12.1 billion had material findings, while over half of auditees (52%) failed to meet even basic targets on time, cost, quality or outcomes.

At the same time, cybersecurity weaknesses are widespread. Of the 70 institutions assessed, 45 (64%) had notable vulnerabilities, while eight (11%) were found to have critical exposures that could be exploited if not addressed. These failures come despite sustained spending on digital infrastructure.

“Spending on ICT has not translated into improved outcomes,” Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke notes in her latest report. Government allocated R5.48 billion to IT infrastructure in 2024/25, yet many departments continue to operate on ageing systems, with investment largely focused on maintaining legacy infrastructure rather than system modernisation. “In addition, there were instances where systems and licences were procured but never used,” she adds.

[paywall]

A key constraint is fragmented platforms that continue to limit interoperability across departments. The Auditor-General cited the Gauteng department of health in her report where the development of a health information system was intended to improve patient care. “The project was planned to be completed by June 2022, with maintenance running from May 2023 to May 2025. However, the project was only 61% complete as at 31 March 2025, even though R257.8 million (76%) of the budget had been spent.”

[/paywall]