I am a property developer and project manager in the greater Johannesburg area.

Over the years I have watched the decline in service from the town planning department. A simple job like a sub-division that used to take two to three months now takes 12-18 months. Officials say they are understaffed and their staff are not qualified.

Construction is a high employer of casual labour and the Gauteng premier, Mbhazima Shilowa, has said he wanted more jobs created, yet the relevant authorities are unable to perform. Please can we have an explanation?