By REGINALD KANYANE
25 March 2025- The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson said the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) employees’ contribution will play an important role as they work to reform the programme for future success. Macpherson, who visited Upington said, in the months ahead, they will be visiting many more communities in various provinces across the country to hear about their experiences and hold frank conversations on how they can rethink and reform the EPWP programme.
He further said he understands that by working with communities, they will be able to address the biggest challenges facing society. Macpherson added that they are on a journey to reform EPWP to change the narrative around it.
“We will restore trust in its ability to make a meaningful difference and to ensure that every participant is treated with the dignity they deserve. Because, I am determined that where something is broken in the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure, it must be fixed.
“The days of turning a blind eye to failures in the department have come to an end. Shortly after I was appointed the Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure 10 months ago, I emphasised the important role EPWP has to play in poverty alleviation and short-term job creation,” he said.
Macpherson said indeed, in the subsequent EPWP listening tours they have held, it has been incredibly encouraging to hear how the programme has provided opportunities to many who had not had them before.
He said as they have heard today, it is clear that EPWP is an important tool to instil hope, provide work, and bring dignity to millions of South Africans in communities across the country.
“It also plays an important role in addressing service delivery challenges, from road maintenance to grass cutting and, in some places, even library services.
The EPWP programme provides the Government of National Unity with a great opportunity to improve service delivery in communities that need it most.
“However, let me be clear: based on what I’ve heard today from members of this community, it is clear that EPWP has been vulnerable to abuse for, among others, jobs for pals, corruption, and political patronage,” said Macpherson.
He said he simply heard too many allegations in this community to allow the status quo to continue. Macpherson said as so many people today shared courageously, people in this community have often been let down by a programme, which was intended to benefit them.
“It is simply unjust to expect recipients to clean streets, repair roads, or maintain parks while receiving a few benefits at their expense. How will community members ever be able to believe in a programme which was intended to empower them when the abuse and corruption within it are widely known?
“How will people ever want to participate in a programme where their personal dignity has been compromised? Let me be clear: Allegations of jobs-for-pals, intimidation – or even worse – sexual exploitation are unacceptable,” he said.
Macpherson said he will not stand by and allow this conduct to happen, and where any official is found guilty, he will take the strongest action possible. He said this is why it is imperative that they build a better EPWP programme, where these abuses are eliminated.
The Guardian 