MINMEC FOCUSES ON EPWP AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS PERFORMANCE

Pictures by Mahlgonolo Makwela

19 September 2025

In today’s MinMec deliberations, led by Minister Dean Macpherson, attention was placed on the performance of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), following a presentation by Acting Deputy Director-General Molatelo Mohwasa.

One of the key challenges highlighted was municipalities’ ability to report, which negatively impacts overall performance, particularly in the first quarter. As a result, EPWP’s first quarter performance did not meet expectations. However, various reporting Provincial Departments identified areas for improvement, with expectations of better performance in the second quarter.

Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala suggested that training initiatives should be linked to job opportunities for participants once they complete their training.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer, proposed utilising EPWP beneficiaries for the maintenance of government infrastructure an idea that technocrats were encouraged to explore further.

Minister Macpherson emphasised that “maintenance and longevity of infrastructure should be a big priority of what we do.”

In response, ADDG Mohwasa welcomed the contributions, noting that the use of EPWP beneficiaries for infrastructure maintenance is already underway. The first quarter EPWP report was welcomed, while the infrastructure performance report was deferred to a Special MinMec to be held in Gauteng, with the venue still to be confirmed.

This Special MinMec will address corrections to the report and outline a turnaround strategy for infrastructure performance in the sector a request raised by the MECs and supported by both Minister Macpherson and Deputy Minister Zikalala.