Public Works Minister Macpherson vows to intercept construction mafia
Macpherson delivered his maiden budget as a Minister in the Government of National Unity (GNU) on Tuesday, where he detailed his priorities and targets.
Dean Macpherson (right) was sworn-in as the minister of public works and infrastructure at the CTICC in Cape Town on 3 July 2024. Picture: @DepartmentPWI/X
CAPE TOWN - Tabling his department’s R23 billion budget, Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson has vowed to go after those who threaten infrastructure projects through extortion.
Macpherson delivered his maiden budget as a Minister in the Government of National Unity (GNU) on Tuesday, where he detailed his priorities and targets.
He also wants to seek up to R10 billion in private investment to help in the country's infrastructure drive.
Macpherson again vowed to turn the country into a construction site.
He said infrastructure would be central to his department's strategy.
“I want to ask each of you to join me and us in this incredible journey as we work to turn South Africa into a construction site. We must become obsessed with infrastructure-led economic growth that will ignite job creation throughout South Africa.”
He also set his sights on the construction mafia - which has scuppered several projects through extortion.
“I want to be very clear, anyone who seeks to hold back infrastructure projects must be treated as an enemy of the State and they will be dealt with appropriately.”
Macpherson is also joining the fight against pit toilets. He said he would be meeting with National Treasury and MECs in public works and education on how pit toilets will be permanently eradicated from schools.