Macpherson to launch probe into major failed public sector projects
Eight weeks since taking office, Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said that he'd been on a major clean-up campaign.
The Telkom Towers in Pretoria. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said that he was launching investigations into major failed public sector projects, including Tshwane’s infamous Telkom Towers that’s been rendered uninhabitable.
Macpherson said another investigation would be launched into leases to ensure they complied with the law and that the state was not overpaying.
His department has also identified over 300 hijacked state-owned buildings, which he said either needed to be repurposed or disposed of.
Eight weeks since taking office, Macpherson said that he'd been on a major clean-up campaign.
A property asset register is due to be completed soon but he’s already doubting the true value of the portfolio, said to be R155 billion.
"I think there’s been a lot of mala fides with regard to the register because it’s provided a smokescreen for people to loot assets of the state."
He said that 338 hijacked buildings had been identified and it was time to clamp down and make some decisions.
"It's clear the state doesn’t use all of these buildings and never will. So we then need to start optimising them, rationalising them, disposing of them, call it what you will."
Macpherson said that state buildings could not become hotbeds for criminal activity and to drive down property values in the cities.