Exploring infrastructure project delays in a selected Eastern Cape Municipality, South Africa

Background: The King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality greatly experienced setbacks when infrastructure projects were delayed in their completion. Significant financial consequences are elevated from these delays, such as higher project costs, slower economic growth and lowered investor trust in the municipality. Aim: This study investigated the factors contributing to the delays in completing the KSD Municipality’s infrastructure project. Methods: The study adopted a qualitative approach and a case study design and employed purposeful sampling in KSD Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data obtained from open-ended questionnaires. Results: The research showed that several factors contributed to the delays at the KSD Municipality, specifically at the Dosi location. The delays include design delays and scope creep; permitting, regulatory and contractual dispute delays; labour, material and equipment procurement delays; financial delays; weather and unforeseen events delays and contractor performance and site management delays. The causes of these delays include lack of funding, legal issues, site settlements, shortage of labour, corruption, theft of supplies and equipment, strikes, design modifications, lack of stakeholder engagement, changes to the project scope and bad weather. Conclusion: The study’s findings indicate that various reasons contribute to the KSD Municipality’s infrastructure project delays, making comprehensive solutions necessary to resolve these problems. Contribution: The study recommends mitigating delays in construction projects, including stakeholder engagement and collaboration, legal and contract management, practical monitoring and controlling, risk management and contingency planning and planning and resource allocation.