Macpherson’s Plans to Turn Telkom Towers Around

Statement by Bonginkosi Madikizela MP – DA Spokesperson on Public Works and Infrastructure:

• Abandoned state asset costs taxpayers R6,8m per month.
• Redevelopment plan will unlock more than 12,700 construction jobs.
• DA rejects Portfolio Committee Chair’s partisan statement.

The Democratic Alliance supports Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson’s plan to redevelop Pretoria’s Telkom Towers precinct into a revenue-generating asset. The DA will continue backing reforms that improve government efficiency, unlock the value of state assets and ease the burden on taxpayers.

We reject the partisan statement issued by Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure Chairperson Carol Phiri. It was presented as the Committee’s position despite no consultation with members. Issued unilaterally, it takes a misguided and partisan stance against Minister Macpherson instead of recognising the corrective steps he is taking to address the long-running Telkom Towers scandal.

Telkom Towers currently stands vacant while costing taxpayers R6.8 million a month in maintenance. The site was initially acquired to house the police, but previous administrations and Ministers failed to turn the precinct around, allowing it to deteriorate into an abandoned ghost complex.

While the ANC has been content to reduce Public Works to scandals, broken buildings, R6 billion in private leases and fire pools, the DA is resolute that more of these public-private projects will change the direction of this department under Minister Macpherson.

The redevelopment is expected to create 12,700+ construction jobs across three major redevelopment projects in the CBD and drive economic activity South Africa urgently needs.

State assets should be working for taxpayers and generating value for the public, not sitting vacant while taxpayers continue to foot the bill.

As Members of the Portfolio Committee, our responsibility is to hold the Executive accountable for its performance and commitments, irrespective of political affiliation. Equally, we have a responsibility to acknowledge and support positive steps taken by the Executive to implement consequence management and correct the failures of previous administrations.

The DA will closely monitor the implementation of Minister Macpherson’s rehabilitation, operate and transfer model and will hold him accountable for delivering on its objectives. We also expect appropriate consequences for those responsible for the monumental failure at Telkom Towers.

The Portfolio Committee must not be reduced to a platform for partisan political attacks. Its role is to scrutinise the Executive objectively, demand accountability where it is required, and recognise meaningful reforms when they are undertaken.

Telkom Towers has been allowed to fail for far too long. The Minister’s plans provide an opportunity to finally turn this liability into an asset that works for South Africans.