IDT raises alarm over EPWP budget cuts threatening jobs and infrastructure rollout

The Independent Development Trust is lamenting the government’s funding cuts to its Expanded Public Works Programme, saying it will have an impact on both job creation and its ability to take on more infrastructure projects.

With an order book worth R6.5 billion in this financial year, the IDT’s acting CEO, Sfiso Nsibande, has appealed to Parliament to convince the Treasury not to cut the budget for the programme, which provides temporary jobs and skills training to the unemployed.

The entity, which has recently been dogged by corruption allegations, on Wednesday told Parliament’s Public Works committee that it’s trying hard to shake the stigma and take on more work.

IDT CEO Sfiso Nsibande says the government-wide cuts to the EPWP programme are impacting its ability to complete projects on time.

From 110 000 work opportunities created by the IDT in 2023 in this financial year almost 35 000 jobs have been cut.

"This actually means that our people on the ground whom we provide employment for, are now reduced."

MPs have expressed concern about the budget cuts.

But Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson says he’s in talks with the deputy president and the finance minister to discuss how to restructure budgets and avoid further cuts to the programme.

He says the EPWP programme has been reduced by approximately 30 percent since 2023.

"It should be like education or health care that it should be something that is protected."

With 164 projects on the books this year the IDT says it aims to complete at least 60 percent of them on time.

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