**Abstract**

The delivery of public infrastructure projects in South Africa is bedevilled with many challenges leading to project delays and loss of needed public resources. This study, therefore, sought to identify the risk factors affecting project delivery and the sources of these risk factors. This study employs a qualitative research methodology. To gather the required data, open-ended interview questions were administered to the participants from the various provincial departments in the Northern Cape responsible for delivering public infrastructure construction projects. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the relevant participants to form part of the study. The data collected were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The underpinning factors for these risks affecting project execution are classified as internally and externally generated. The identified risk factors pose a significant threat to project delivery leading to delay and loss of public funds and adequate service delivery to the public. This study helps us understand the risk factors and their source for public infrastructure construction projects. The government and departments in the Northern Cape and other provinces can take measures to tackle these risk factors and alleviate their negative impact on project delivery.

**Keywords:** government, infrastructure, projects, public, risk factors, South Africa
