Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson, has vowed to tackle the widespread issue of project delays and poor-quality work in the construction sector. Speaking in the National Assembly on Thursday, 14 November, Macpherson made it clear that there would be no tolerance for excuses from officials or contractors.
“I want to assure members of this house, and indeed South Africa at large, that we are committed to overcoming the obstacles holding back our nation’s infrastructure,” Macpherson stated. He highlighted the significant impact of these delays on communities, especially those waiting for essential services like schools, clinics, and police stations. These delayed projects, he said, have denied citizens the dignity and opportunities they deserve.
The Minister noted that the government has lost nearly R3 billion in delayed projects over the years, a figure that represents more than just financial loss. “These delays are not just numbers in a report. They represent stalled progress, halted economic growth, and deferred services for millions of South Africans,” Macpherson explained. He stressed that incomplete construction sites and wasted public funds are a direct result of these delays.
Macpherson cited two notable examples to highlight the scale of the problem. The Telkom Towers project in Tshwane, where nearly R1 billion was spent over a decade with little progress, and the Sarah Baartman Centre of Remembrance in Hankey, Eastern Cape, which, after nearly a decade, remains just 37% complete despite spending R247 million.
Going forward, the Minister made it clear that contractors failing to meet deadlines and budgets will face serious consequences, including blacklisting. To ensure accountability, the department is implementing a public-facing system to track tender processes and improve transparency. “We’re creating a South Africa where the era of wasting public funds on projects that run over time and over budget comes to an end,” Macpherson said.
However, Macpherson also acknowledged that delays are not solely the fault of contractors. “Client departments often contribute to these delays by withholding payments to contractors, disrupting project timelines,” he noted. To address this, the department is establishing payment protocols to ensure that client departments meet their financial obligations promptly, aiming to avoid further disruptions and wasted funds.
