MINISTER MACPHERSON MARKS ONE YEAR IN OFFICE

Article by Fanisa Makhubela, Pictures by Caroline Mokotedi and Mahlogonolo Makwela

10 July 2025

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, marked his first year in office by reflecting on key reforms and investigations that have shaped the department’s new direction.

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Briefing the Media at the GCIS Imbizo Centre in Cape Town, the Minister outlined progress made in rooting out corruption, repurposing public assets, and overhauling the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Minister Macpherson described his tenure as a deliberate shift from passive custodianship of neglected buildings to positioning the department as a dynamic economic delivery vehicle. “We came up with a bold vision: to turn South Africa into a construction site,” he said.

Key updates include;

  1. Investigations and Accountability:
    The Minister gave updates on major investigations into failed projects, including the Telkom Towers deal and the PSA Oxygen Plant initiative. Both reports are expected by the end of July and will be handed over for possible criminal prosecution. He also reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to lifestyle audits, with 400 high-risk officials currently under review, and efforts underway to eliminate ghost employees.
  2. Asset Repurposing:
    Under Macpherson’s leadership, 17 unused government properties have already been converted into shelters for victims of gender-based violence and substance abuse. A shift is also underway to make state-owned properties income-generating assets through public-private partnerships and property funds.
  3. EPWP Reform:
    The Minister acknowledged challenges with the current EPWP model, including politicisation and irregular recruitment. A national Listening Tour has led to a proposed overhaul, which includes longer-term placements, skills development, enterprise support, and biometric attendance systems.
  4. George Building Collapse:
    Macpherson confirmed he will meet with the families of the George building collapse victims on 19 July to present the investigative report, which he described as revealing “preventable errors and regulatory failure.” He cautioned political actors against undermining ongoing police investigations and stressed the need for accountability.

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Looking ahead to his Budget Vote, the Minister outlined five core pillars of focus: fighting corruption, fast-tracking infrastructure delivery, restructuring asset management, reforming EPWP, and digitising departmental systems. “This past year has not been easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding,” says Macpherson. “The Department is in better shape than it was a year ago, and we’re only getting started.”