Corrupt contractors to face ‘full might of law’: Minister Macpherson

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has committed to ensuring that companies involved in corruption who abandon government projects unfinished will face the full might of the law.

He says government loses billions, as in the case of the Sarah Baartman Centre of Remembrance in Hankey, Eastern Cape. Despite 10 years of construction, three different contractors, and R247 million spent, the centre remains nowhere near completion.

He says it cannot be correct that contractors are getting away with it while the poor who must benefit from such projects, are left to suffer.

“The slow pace of delisting of non-performance or corruption-accused suppliers or contractors was revealed. Since 2002, only one company was delisted. This is simply unacceptable and needs to be urgently addressed if we want to reverse this culture of impunity. We have tasked the CIBD to urgently get ahead with underperforming contractors and blacklist them without delay, to ensure that they are not able to get tenders from any sphere of government.”

Construction Mafia | At least 240 arrests made nationwide since 2024

Construction mafia

Macpherson says at least 240 arrests connected to construction mafia extortion cases have been made across the country since last year, adding that this is a testament to the dedication to eradicate criminality and corruption in infrastructure development projects.

Gauteng is leading in the construction mafia extortion cases, followed by the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

“No longer can you disrupt our sites without consequences. Gauteng remains the highest contributor with 241 cases and 81 arrests, followed by the Western Cape with 198 reported cases and 73 arrests, KwaZulu-Natal is third with 102 cases and 16 arrests, and the Eastern Cape with 86 cases and six arrests. Collectively, these four provinces account for 84% of all construction mafia cases.”

In another effort to keep the construction industry clean, unscrupulous companies are the next target for the department.

Since 2002, only one company has been de-listed from working with the department.

Macpherson adds, “Within the months ahead, the pace at which the companies are delisted should be rapidly increased. With over 40 companies facing blacklisting, they are in the line of firing now and we are going to move swiftly. This should be encouraging to hear for all South Africans who care about how public funds are spent.”