SACAP Launches Technical Task Team to Address Planning Application Crisis in Local Municipalities

Monday, 21 July 2025 | announcements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACAP Launches Technical Task Team to Address Planning Application Crisis in Local Municipalities

Johannesburg, South Africa — 08 July 2025- The South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP), the statutory body regulating the architectural profession, has raised serious concerns about the growing inefficiencies and systemic challenges in the building plan application processes at local municipalities across the country.

SACAP reports that architectural professionals, developers, and clients are facing mounting difficulties due to excessive delays, fragmented approval processes, staff inaccessibility, poor communication, loss of planning applications, and widespread maladministration. Compounding the issue is the inconsistent interpretation and application of planning regulations between municipalities.

“These challenges are not only damaging the credibility of architectural professionals but are also negatively impacting economic growth, delaying infrastructure development, and suppressing job creation,” said Charles Ntsindiso Nduku, President at SACAP.

The consequences of the current systemic failures include:

·       Financial losses for developers and clients due to construction delays;

·      Reputational harm to architectural professionals for factors outside their control;

·       Frustration stemming from the lack of standardised planning requirements;

·       Hindered economic growth due to inefficiencies in the planning process;

·       Stalled projects worth billions of rands in infrastructure and property development;

·       Escalating costs for developers and financiers from prolonged approval cycles; and

·       Lost employment opportunities due to delayed project commencements.

In response, SACAP, together with recognised Voluntary Associations (VAs), has established a Technical Task Team. The team’s mandate is to identify the root causes of inefficiencies in South Africa’s building plan approval systems and to develop practical, implementable solutions.

“This is a pivotal step toward restoring integrity, accountability, and efficiency in the planning and approval ecosystem,” added Charles Ntsindiso Nduku.

The initiative will include engagement with key stakeholders across government, the private sector, and civil society to streamline processes, improve regulatory consistency, and ensure that development projects are not unnecessarily delayed.

 

 

 

 

About SACAP

 

The South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) is legally charged with regulating the architectural profession in South Africa, governed by the Architectural Profession Act of 2000, Act 44 of 2000. This includes professional architects, senior architectural technologists, architectural technologists, draughtspersons, specified categories, and candidates in each of the registration categories, all of whom must be registered with SACAP before they can practice architecture. www.sacapsa.com.

For media inquiries please contact:

Brenda Phake: Stakeholder Relations, Communications and Marketing Manager

Email: brenda.phake@sacapsa.com

Mobile- 060 973 7966