SONA Debate: Public Works Minister Macpherson claims he found inefficiencies and corruption in his department

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson claimed that when he took office, he found a department crippled by neglect, inefficiency, and corruption.

Delivering his address to Parliament on the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure on Wednesday, Macpherson said that when his party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), joined the Government of National Unity (GNU), morale in the department was low, and its core mandate — to build infrastructure, create jobs, and ensure public assets serve the people — was failing.

“One of my most important decisions has been to use public assets for public good.

“For too long, state-owned properties have stood vacant, attracting crime and decay.

"In a significant policy shift, we have released public properties for Requests for Proposals, inviting the public and private sectors to submit ideas.

“Soon, we will convert eyesores such as the Barracks in eThekwini into mixed-use developments, where the first new skyscraper will be built in the Durban CBD in 20 years,” he said.

Macpherson stated that in the first round, his department would release 31 properties for redevelopment, valued at R1.4 billion. These properties are estimated to generate up to R10 billion in private investment, create over 165,000 jobs, and generate close to R200 million in rental income for the South African government.

“In Tshwane, we handed over state-owned land to community projects like the Mamelodi Skatepark after years of delays, demonstrating our commitment to community development.

“We are taking decisive action against corruption and mismanagement.

“In just seven months, we have launched investigations into failed projects, including the R1 billion Telkom Towers in Tshwane and the R800 million IDT Oxygen tender.

Macpherson mentioned that he was taking a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and would hold officials and politicians to account for their roles in these scandals.

“This is what the DA is delivering in the GNU … Through Infrastructure South Africa, we launched the first-of-its-kind project preparation fund worth R180 million to prepare and package infrastructure projects across the government.

“This first bid window has been entirely oversubscribed and is a testament to the significant reforms we have introduced in just seven months.

"In another, we have launched the adopt-a-municipality program, where we will pilot an infrastructure partnership program with four local municipalities to maximise infrastructure spending and efficiency," he said.

Macpherson said that he hoped to roll out this program across the country.