The visit was a result of the Committee's ongoing interaction with various departments to monitor monthly spending in terms of section 32 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The Committee had, over the previous year, observed a trend wherein departments over or under budget subsequently leading to requests for rollovers or virements (shifting funds). This trend had raised concerns on whether departments were planning adequately for projects and whether their budgets were aligned to their strategic plans. One of the departments wherein this trend was persistent was the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (the Department).