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EPWP Abuse Expands

Statement by Edwin Bath MP and Dr Igor Scheurkogel MP:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the serious allegations of political interference in Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) applications in the Makhuduthamaga Municipality in Limpopo, where a political party allegedly instructed applicants to submit their EPWP applications through party structures for processing and submission.

If confirmed, these allegations point to a deeply concerning abuse of a programme intended to provide short-term employment opportunities, skills development, and dignity to vulnerable South Africans. Political patronage and interference in fair access undermine the very purpose of EPWP.

What has emerged in Limpopo is not an isolated incident. The DA has completed a nationwide EPWP and Community Work Programme (CWP) oversight report, compiled from 171 responses gathered across all nine provinces, which documents the same pattern of political interference in participant selection countrywide. This example in Limpopo is emblematic of a much bigger problem that our report has captured at scale.

The DA will now conduct oversight visits to key municipalities identified in the report. Findings from these visits will be incorporated into the report, which will then be formally submitted to Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson, through the relevant parliamentary channels.

Just last week, the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure received a briefing on enhancements and improvements being considered for the EPWP programme. The DA looks forward to assisting the department, through its oversight role and the findings of this report, to strengthen reforms and improve transparency and fairness.

The EPWP programme plays a critical role in supporting vulnerable South Africans and providing pathways to skills and employment. The DA remains committed to ensuring that the programme is protected from abuse and operates in a fair, equitable, transparent, and accountable manner.

The public are requested to come forward with any information related to EPWP abuse for investigation.

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