Department of Public Works and Infrastructure

MEDIA STATEMENT Issue Date: 23 September 2024 MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS & INFRASTRUCTURE DEAN MACPHERSON TAKES ACTION TO BRING STABILITY TO ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE The Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has taken action to stabilise the administration and governance of the Department of Public Works by advertising key vacancies in the department for permanent appointment. Over the weekend, vacancies were advertised for a number of positions, including the Head of Infrastructure, Supply Management Executive for the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE), Chief Director for Human Resource Management, Deputy Director of Facilities Management, Deputy Director General of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Deputy Director General of Policy Research and Regulation, and Chief Director for accounting and reporting. “The filling of these key positions with permanent appointments is part of the actions we have been taking to bring stability and good governance to the department since my appointment more than two months ago. These positions play a critical role in the department's functioning,” Minister Macpherson said. “I, therefore encourage all South Africans, who have the necessary skills and expertise, to apply for these positions and join us in the work we are doing to reform the department in order for us to build a better South Africa for all our people. With the advertising of these positions, we are laying the foundation of a professional public service within the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure which has a diversity of skills and expertise to move us forward.” Individuals who meet the requisite requirements have until 18 October 2024 to apply and a copy of the advert and position requirements can be found at: https://bit.ly/3ZzyoHn. “The advertising of these positions forms part of the greater work we are doing to build a strong Department Of Public Works & Infrastructure to deliver our vision of turning South Africa into a construction site. By working together we can ignite economic growth, create jobs and build a more prosperous South Africa.” Enquiries James de Villiers Ministry of DPWI Spokesperson 082 766 0276

MEDIA STATEMENT Issued: 10 September 2024 MINISTER MACPHERSON REJECTS DPWI/DSAC REPORT ON SARAH BAARTMANN CENTRE OF REMEMBRANCE AND WILL MEET WITH MINISTER MCKENZIE ON WAY FORWARD The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has rejected a joint report by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture on the completion of the Sarah Baartman Centre of Remembrance in Hankey, Eastern Cape, presented to the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture on Tuesday morning. Minister Macpherson will therefore soon be meeting with Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie to establish a pathway forward. The Sarah Baartman Centre of Remembrance has been plagued by delays since a tender for its construction was issued in April 2014, and to date millions have been spent on the project, but construction remains 37% completed. “In my discussions with Minister McKenzie, we both agree that the progress which has been achieved in the centre remains wholly inadequate and that serious action needs to be taken to limit any further wastage of taxpayer money. Not only have both departments failed to brief the ministers on the report presented to parliament, but it furthermore is simply unacceptable that despite three contractors being involved in the project over a period of 10 years, construction has not even been halfway completed with further delays expected,” Minister Macpherson said. “The life of Sarah Baartman remains an important reminder of our painful past, and it is therefore imperative that we give her the respect and dignity she deserves. However, the work which has been done at the Remembrance Centre this far fails to honour her memory and has instead become a problem which continues to cost taxpayers millions. This simply must end.” Minister Macpherson emphasised that a meeting with Minister McKenzie will help to resolve any concerns while developing a joint vision of how the construction of the project can be completed in the shortest timeframe possible, thereby possibly providing solutions that can be replicated at other memorial projects across South Africa. “For too long, the South African State and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure as implementing agents have spent millions on memorial projects just for the projects to remain incomplete or fall into a state of disrepair. This era of this fruitless expenditure has to come to an end, and I know that both Minister McKenzie and I are committed to achieving this goal. Let us Build South Africa.” ENDS Issued by: James de Villiers DPWI Minister’s Spokesperson 082 766 0276

MINISTER DEAN MACPHERSON AND DEPUTY MINISTER SIHLE ZIKALALA TO ADDRESS THE NCOP ON THE BUDGET OF THE DEPARTMENT Issue Date: 22 July 2024 Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson together with the Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala, will on Tuesday 23 July 2024, address the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on the key deliverables of the department. The Minister and the Deputy Minister’s presentations will focus on building the country and turning it into a massive construction site, fast-tracking infrastructure delivery plan, EPWP, Skills development and fighting corruption in the built environment. Event Details Date: 23 July 2024 Time: 14h00 Venue: NCOP Chamber Budget vote will be broadcast on DSTV Chanel 408 ENDS Issued by: Lennox Mabaso Head of Communications: DPWI 0828842403 Contact Thami Mchunu Director: Media Relations 079 519 6997

MEDIA STATEMENT PRESIDENT SUPPORTS MINISTER’S CALL TO TURN SA INTO CONSTRUCTION SITE The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, welcomes the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa to turn South Africa into a construction site through increased infrastructure investment and support for Infrastructure South Africa as the central authority for the coordination and planning of major construction projects. “As Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, I have publicly mentioned that my focus for the department will be to unleash a wave of construction projects in the country to increase South Africa’s economic growth and create sustainable jobs. I therefore welcome the President’s support for my department’s endeavours as we work to improve the lives of our people,” Minister Macpherson said. “The only way we can meaningfully bring change to the South African people, and improve living conditions is if we grow the economy and create jobs which can be achieved through Infrastructure investment - an approach which enjoys the full support of the President as mentioned in his Opening Of Parliament address. I have no doubt we will be successful.” The Minister added that his focus will be to expand and capacitate Infrastructure South Africa for the efficient and successful execution of construction projects, as well as working with other government departments to improve the long-term planning and execution of infrastructure investment. Minister Macpherson, furthermore, welcomed the President’s commitment to address the rise of the construction mafia, which has paralysed infrastructure investments in provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal. The Minister looks forward to working with his colleagues across the Government of National Unity, in particular the Minister of Police, to restore the rule of law at construction projects in order to safeguard investment in infrastructure that can contribute to building a better South Africa. “It is only through working together that we can build South Africa to truly live up to the ideals of democracy. In the months ahead, I invite all South Africans to join me in unleashing infrastructure development and building a better nation. Let’s build South Africa.” ENDS Issued by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure For more information contact Lennox Mabaso: Head Communications DPWI 0828842403 And Bukiwe Cimela Media Relations: DPWI 076 420 8184