By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
9 July 2025- The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson said they investigated failed or mismanaged projects such as the Telkom Towers project and the IDT Oxygen Plant tender and began the work of understanding why they failed. Macpherson said they have been repurposing public assets for the public good, including releasing unutilised state properties to be used as shelters for victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and launching a partnership with AgriSA and AgriBiz to support food security.
“We began cleaning up the department through lifestyle audits and a ghost employee audit. We have started reforming the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to ensure it enables skills transfer and becomes a hand-up towards permanent employment,” he said.
Macpherson further said they know things are not yet perfect, but they are on the right track. He added that the exciting part is—they are only getting started.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP), Edwin Macrae Bath said they resoundingly backed Macpherson’s DPWI Budget, turning SA into a construction site. Bath said they debated in the National Assembly today in support of Macpherson’s Budget for the department, because it is succeeding in turning South Africa into a construction site – with new mega projects, an infrastructure boom and a R1 trillion investment plan.
“The DA celebrates that the department under Macpherson is cleaning out the rot inherited, with 400 senior officials undergoing lifestyle audits. The DA recognises the barnstorming success of Macpherson at fighting organised crime in the public works space where the “construction mafia” were holding projects ransom for personal gain.
“As projects of the department grow, delivering economic growth, Macpherson is a leading job creator in South Africa – which the DA is proud to endorse. New leadership has narrowed the department’s focus to jobs, lower living costs, and ethical governance,” Bath said.
He said the PMTE is finally showing results, with billions in property released and increased investment in maintenance. Bath said EPWP reforms and infrastructure projects are gaining traction, with over 1 million jobs targeted and R11 billion committed.
“Ethical leadership is being prioritised, with audits, advisory boards, and digital upgrades underway. The ‘Adopt-a-Municipality’ pilot links national support to local needs, improving services and creating jobs,” said Bath.
The DA Member of Parliament (MP), Erik Marais shared the same sentiments. Marais said the department leads all public infrastructure, guided by the National Infrastructure Plan 2025.
“Macpherson is driving ethical governance, investor confidence, and the #LetsBuildSA initiative. Government plans to invest over R1 trillion in infrastructure, including Salvokop and small harbour projects. EPWP targets 1 million jobs a year and supports long-term employment through skills training.
“The department must digitise procurement, tighten financial controls, and improve local oversight,” he said.
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