Public Works Minister Macpherson takes bold steps against corruption with lifestyle audits for 400 officials
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, says finalising lifestyle audits for over 400 high-risk officials is a critical part of the Department's efforts to end corruption and restore integrity in its operations.
This comes after the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) obtained a recovery order against a contractor that defrauded the Department of R67 million through corrupt tenders.
The Special Tribunal granted the order against Kroucamp Plumbers, whose contracts were found to be irregularly awarded between 2015 and 2019 through falsified bidding documents, undisclosed conflicts of interest, and bribes paid to officials.
'We are working with the SIU to finalise lifestyle audits for over 400 high-risk officials,' Macpherson said. 'Together with law enforcement agencies, we will continue to send a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated.'
He said the case against Kroucamp Plumbers showed the importance of strengthening financial controls and ensuring transparency in procurement.
'This recovery order is another important step in our efforts to root out corruption and recover stolen public funds, as we work to build an efficient department capable of delivering construction projects on time and within budget,' Macpherson said.
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'Those who defraud the state and think they can get away with it must think again. We will leave no stone unturned in holding contractors and officials accountable for their wrongdoing, regardless of when it occurred.'
The Tribunal declared contracts worth R67 million, awarded between 2015 and 2019 for vacuum pumping of septic tanks and emergency sewage blockage interventions, invalid and unlawful.
The SIU's successful tribunal application also blocks a potential R33 million counterclaim by the contractor against the Department.
Macpherson said since taking office, the Department has worked closely with the SIU to support and speed up investigations into corruption, fraud, and mismanagement.
'The case against Kroucamp Plumbers is a prime example of the importance of our collaboration, as we seek to ensure that public funds are no longer abused.'
Macpherson reaffirmed the Department's goal of becoming a key driver of infrastructure delivery. 'We are working hard to turn the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure into the economic delivery unit of South Africa, ensuring that infrastructure projects are completed on time and within budget, and that not a cent of public funds is wasted.'
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Daily Maverick
12 hours ago
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Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has announced the completion of both the Engineering Council of South Africa and the Council for the Built Environment's investigations into the collapse of a five-storey development in George, Western Cape, last year. The ECSA report will form part of the police investigation to establish criminal negligence in relation to the incident. Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has announced the completion of the Engineering Council of South Africa's (ECSA) investigation into the culpability of the engineer involved in the construction of the George building that collapsed in 2024. The report will form part of the police investigation to establish criminal negligence in relation to the incident. Speaking at a media briefing on Saturday, 19 July, Macpherson said that both the ECSA and the Council for the Built Environment's (CBE) investigations into the collapse had been completed. 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The ECSA said its disciplinary ruling, investigation report and supporting evidence had been referred to the South African Police Service for further investigation and action. Key takeaways from CBE report The CBE investigation, conducted by a multidisciplinary team of technical experts, encountered anecdotal evidence suggesting that the failure of the first floor and basement area of the George building initially occurred due to the failure of the reinforced concrete at these levels. 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IOL News
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The Herald
20 hours ago
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Deadly George building collapse was 'entirely preventable': Macpherson
The full ECSA investigation report will soon be published in the government gazette and an appeal window to these finding is currently underway which expires on August 3. This report must form part the police investigation to establish criminal negligence for what happened, he said. "If criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible must be prosecuted without delay. We must ensure that people are held accountable for 34 souls losing their life." The reforms will be carried out in three phases as follows: Phase 1 from 2025 to 2026: Immediate interventions, including new regulations, mandatory standards and emergency protocols; Phase 2 from 2026 to 2028: Implementation of long-term reform, including legislative amendments and competency-based registration systems; and Phase 3 from 2028 onwards: Institutional consolidation and relocation of custodianship of building regulations functions and standards to the department of public works & infrastructure. A total of 34 people died and 28 were injured. Among those on the site were South Africans, Mozambicans, Malawians and Zimbabweans. Macpherson said he had noted how the tragedy had taken a toll on the families of the dead and injured workers. "There is great suffered in the families. They struggle to put food on the table, pay medical costs and have psychological challenges," he said. "We are exploring options with the department of social development and NGOs to provide relief or support to the families most affected, including those who have lost primary breadwinners. We also take seriously the vulnerabilities faced by foreign nationals on construction sites, many of whom work under exploitative or undocumented conditions." As political parties, it didn't help to abuse the situation for political gain, he added. George building collapse survivor Elelwani Mawela of Limpopo spoke about the sadness she experienced after the tragedy. She said while she survived it was difficult to talk about as she burst into tears and was comforted by Macpherson. TimesLIVE
