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Minimal private participation for infrastructure development continues to affect developing economies like South Africa. This study aims to determine the perceived occurrence of challenges delaying the delivery of water infrastructure assets and the role of both public and private financing for infrastructure development.

Quantitative approach was used, and questionnaires were administered to stakeholders that have participated in delivering water infrastructure assets in South Africa. Of the 96 returned questionnaires, 91 were usable, representing 61 per cent response rate. Data from the survey were analysed using descriptive and exploratory factor analyses. The reliability test represented a value of 0.945, indicating internal consistency.

Data analysis revealed that corruption, hostility, weak project structuring, high fiscal deficits by state government, cost recovery constraints, high credit risk for private financing and unreliable planning and procurement processes are major challenges delaying the delivery of water infrastructure assets. More so, municipal government remains the key custodian of water infrastructure delivery with limited support from private capital as a result of political administrative instability, legislation and policy uncertainty and inadequate risk-adjusted returns.

Emphasis should be made on eradicating corruption and non-transparent financial management to improve municipal creditworthiness and amending and implementing much improved legislation and foreign inclusion. Additionally, financial models to complement the existing mechanisms of financing water infrastructure projects should be sought and used. Complete eradication of infrastructure challenges envisages to reduce fiscal deficits, improve service delivery and enhance the competitiveness and productivity of the economy.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the use of critical success factors (CSFs) of stakeholder management as a possible solution to reduce disputes experienced because of legal and regulatory issues in public–private partnership (PPP) projects.

This paper’s epistemological positioning adopted positivism and deductive reasoning to investigate the dispute phenomena on PPP projects. A survey strategy was adopted using a structured questionnaire and closed-ended Likert scales to collate primary data. Questionnaires were distributed to South African construction professionals using both purposive and snowballing non-probability sampling techniques. Data was analysed using summary statistical analysis of the CSFs identified from literature.

This study revealed that among the 19 CSFs identified, five factors were highlighted that could contribute to the alleviation of disputes between stakeholders in PPP projects, namely, adequate project planning and control; effective leadership; appropriate strategies for the management of stakeholders; confirmation of clear goals and objectives of the project; and effective communication.

The strength of this study lies in the evaluation and use of CSFs of stakeholder management as a possible solution to minimise or even avoid disputes as a result of legal and regulatory issues in PPP projects. By integrating the CSFs, the legal and contractual misconceptions of the PPP initiative are clarified. Such work represents a novel contribution to procurement practice in South Africa and maybe to other countries internationally who are grappling with similar issues.

The role of public–private partnerships (PPP) as a strategic initiative to improve and accelerate service delivery in the form of newly built and revitalised water infrastructure assets in developing countries cannot be over-emphasised. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess and highlight the importance of critical success factors for water infrastructure projects delivered under public–private partnerships.

A survey design was used and a questionnaire was administered to stakeholders who have participated in delivering water infrastructure assets in South Africa. Out of 150 administered questionnaires, only 91 were returned and usable for analyses, representing a 61 per cent response rate. The data gathered were then analysed using descriptive and factor analysis.

The study revealed that thorough planning for project viability, high levels of transparency and accountability and a legal framework stipulating policy continuity are the CSFs for delivering water infrastructure projects under the PPP initiative. The findings emerging from factor analysis owing to a close variance revealed the importance of the following grouped factors, namely, public cooperation, project viability and policy and legislation enhancement.

From the results, it is clear that the public sector, as the facilitator of infrastructure development, should create an environment that is conducive for private capital through political will and commitment and the enhancement of policy and legislation where there is no or minimal private participation.

Adequate infrastructure investment from private capital promises to flourish economically and improve the living conditions of the public in the cities and the country at large. To further guarantee the reality of PPPs at a local level, the host government must adequately engage and enlighten the public.