Page 236 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(CONTINUED)

1.5 Property, plant and equipment (continued)
The entity identified the following major components of furniture and office equipment as furniture and
office equipment and signage.

Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses.

Property, plant and equipment are depreciated on the straight line basis over their expected useful lives
to their estimated residual value.

The useful lives of items of property, plant and equipment have been assessed as follows:

ITEM DEPRECIATION METHOD AVERAGE USEFUL LIFE
Land (including boreholes) Not depreciated Indefinite
Buildings Straight line 40 – 50 years
Vehicles and containers Straight line 5 – 10 years
Furniture and office equipment Straight line 3 – 15 years
Computer equipment Straight line 5 – 10 years
Generators Straight line 20 – 30 years
Borehole tanks and pumps Straight line 10 – 15 years
Air conditioners Straight line 10 – 15 years
Irrigation equipment Straight line 10 – 15 years
Signage Straight line 10 – 15 years
Prefabricated buildings Straight line 20 – 30 years
Water pipes Straight line 20 – 30 years
Water meters Straight line 10 – 15 years
Laboratory equipment Straight line 5 – 30 years

The items listed above are grouped in land; buildings; vehicles and containers; furniture and office
equipment; computer equipment and laboratory equipment classes.

The residual value, the useful life and depreciation method of each asset is reviewed at the end of each
reporting date. If the expectations differ from previous estimates, the change is accounted for as a change
in accounting estimate. The useful lives of assets are based on management’s estimation. The actual useful
lives of assets and residual values are assessed annually and may vary depending on a number of factors. In
re-assessing asset useful lives, factors such as technology, innovation, product life cycles and maintenance
programmes are taken into account. The estimation of residual values of assets determines whether they
will be sold or used to the end of their useful lives and what their condition would be like at that time.
Residual value assessments consider issues such as, the remaining life of the asset and the estimated
amount which the entity would currently obtain.
Each part of an item of property, plant and equipment with a cost that is significant in relation to the total
cost of the item is depreciated separately.

The depreciation charge for each period is recognised in surplus or deficit unless it is included in the
carrying amount of another asset.

Items of property, plant and equipment are derecognised when the asset is disposed of or when there are
no further economic benefits or service potential expected from the use of the asset.

234 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24