Macpherson says progress made in Public Works portfolio despite myriad of challenges

CAPE TOWN - Minister of Public Works Dean Macpherson says despite the myriad of challenges in one of government’s most demanding portfolios, there has been progress over the last eight months.  

He counted the establishment of a special projects unit to revive stalled infrastructure projects as one of these, with the goal of contributing to economic growth and job creation.  

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But Macpherson’s update to Parliament’s portfolio committee was overshadowed by the strained relationship with his deputy, Sihle Zikalala, which once again was made apparent.  

Macpherson said his department is clamping down on unchecked spending in its so-called prestige portfolio, contractors who don’t deliver, and cry foul about non-payment, including probing exorbitant leases for rental properties.  

Questioned about bills still in the pipeline, Macpherson said he first wanted to subject them to an economic analysis but hoped to table the first of new legislation by mid-year.  

The Public Works and Infrastructure Bill is still in draft form, while the department also plans to amend the Construction Industry Board Development Act.  

“We want to make sure we get it right, because we only have one opportunity to get it right when we introduce it to Parliament. A lot of work has obviously been done.”  

But Zikalala suggested he was reinventing the wheel on amendments to the Infrastructure Development Act and the Construction Industry Board Development Act.  

“They are a matter that should go through finalisation now through proper processes, because the socioeconomic impact was done and that was finalised,” said Zikalala.  

Committee members said they were perturbed by the divergent views the pair were presenting to them and encouraged them to iron out their differences.