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South Africa Can’t Function If Public Works Is Failing

Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned by the Auditor General’s alarming findings on the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and its entities for the 2022/23 financial year, which ended on 31 March 2023. These results, recorded before the appointment of Minister Dean Macpherson, reveal ongoing failures that have worsened throughout the 6th administration (2019–2024).

Key findings include:

  • 107 delayed infrastructure projects, with 63 delayed by more than three years, placing significant strain on the national budget;
  • The Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE) achieved only 20% of its planned targets, despite spending 86% of its allocated budget;
    Irregular expenditure skyrocketed from R98 million in 2020/21 to R521 million in 2022/23, largely due to non-compliance with procurement regulations; and
  • Financial losses totaling R746 million due to 11 instances of material irregularities, including non-compliance and suspected fraud.

These persistent failures have eroded public trust in the department and severely compromised service delivery.

As a result, I will be writing to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on DPWI, urging that the following actions be taken at the next committee meeting:

  • Secure a firm commitment from the department to fully implement the Auditor General’s recommendations; and
  • Require the department to produce a detailed audit action plan and a turnaround strategy for each branch/DGG, to ensure effective oversight by the Portfolio Committee.

Despite these worrying findings, the DA is encouraged by Minister Macpherson’s early efforts and remains optimistic that he will take bold steps to address these long-standing issues. We see his term as an opportunity to transform the department’s delivery of critical public infrastructure, particularly through collaboration with institutions like the Auditor General.

Regards

Edwin Macrae Bath
DA Deputy Spokesperson on Public Works and Infrastructure

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