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department of public workslatest news & developments
KZN MEC for Cogta Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi and his counterpart MEC for public works Martin Meyer during a media briefing in Durban. Photo: Sandile Motha

KZN government cancels R24 m/year lease in clampdown on costly office rentals

The provincial administration plans to use government-owned buildings to cut down on expenditure

eThekwini mayor Cyril Mayor, minister of public works and infrastructure Dean Macpherson, and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for public works and infrastructure Martin Meyer signed a MOU in the city this week. (Photo supplied)

Macpherson, Xaba invite investors to fix Durban’s derelict buildings

The minister says if state properties bring in funds, it will give the department more money to maintain and build schools, hospitals and other infrastructure

Gauteng deputy judge president Ronald Sutherland on Friday issued a directive that all Johannesburg high court hearings will be held virtually for the foreseeable future because of load-shedding

UPDATED: Load-shedding forces Joburg high court to return to virtual hearings

Deputy judge president Ronald Sutherland said public works and the office of the chief justice have failed to provide the court with a reliable generator

Count them: Special Investigating Unit head Andy Mothibi. (Paul Botes)

Public works, SIU declare war on infrastructure tender corruption

New anti-corruption forum aims to prevent corruption and mismanagement and incentivise whistleblowers in infrastructure projects

The fence cost taxpayers R37-million and was described by public works minister Patricia de Lille earlier this year as “not fit for purpose”. (Phil Magakoe/AFP)

Public works tables ‘solutions’ to botched Beitbridge border fence tender

Scopa ‘disappointed’ by slow pace and lack of consequences on Beitbridge irregularities.

Outlier: The embattled public works department’s minister, Patricia de Lille, is the only non-ANC member in the cabinet, and certainly no stranger to controversy. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Toxic power struggle hits public works

With infighting and allegations of corruption and poor planning, the department’s top management looks like a scene from ‘Survivor’

Recently-appointed Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says she took on the role to “clean up” the department, in the wake of the recent R1 billion Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship scandal.

De Lille unfazed by acting-DG’s baggage

Latest twist in public works saga suggests minister quashed query into doctored corruption report

Minister of Public Works Patricia de Lille.

De Lille hastens IDT closure

The Independent Development Trust’s board and the department of public works and infrastructure have agreed to devise an exit plan, which will see the entity closed by early next…

Change of mind: Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille rowed back on her decision to terminate the IDT because of poor project management and performance. (David Harrison/M&G)

Crucial state workers given lifeline

Employees at the beleaguered IDT have been given a three-month extension of their contracts

There’s little or no evidence that border walls stop virus outbreaks.

Border walls don’t stop viruses, but a blanket amnesty might

Why South Africa should consider amnesty for undocumented migrants in the time of the coronavirus outbreak.

The memorandum was signed by Infrastructure in South Africa, an entity of the department of public works and infrastructure; the national treasury; and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. (Madelene Cronjé/M&G)

Still on temporary contracts after 12 years

Employees of the Expanded Public Works Programme have essentially become ‘permanent casuals’ who earn a pittance and have no job security

Deputy Minister of Public Works Jeremy Cronin.

Pace of land reform weak and pathetic, says Cronin

Jeremy Cronin has ascribed the "pathetic" pace of land reform to factors like weak policy, corruption, lack of will and a lack of capacity

Protesters outside Western Cape Premier Helen Zille’s residence

Day Zero is a myth, say protesters looking to fill up at Zille’s residence

The group said they would write to Zille for clarity on why they were not able to get water as per her invitation, and when they could come back.

R47m spent to service empty government buildings, MPs told

Unused government buildings are costing South Africa almost R50-million in rates and taxes, while another R12-million is spent on water and lights.

The department of public works is expected to discuss a settlement with 12 of its officials who are charged in connection with President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla home.

Public works to discuss Nkandla settlement with officials

The settlement discussion will be held with 12 officials who have been charged in connection with upgrades to President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla home.

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi.

Public works misspent R35bn in irregular expenditure

Minister Thulas Nxesi says the billions lost by the department over the past five years is shocking.

Zuma pad raises its battlements

The building of yet another fence suggests rising paranoia about the president’s safety.

The Nkandla house that Zuma built, four years on

Four years ago, the M&G first exposed the scandal behind multimillion-rand upgrades on Jacob Zuma Nkandla’s home. Today, little has changed.

Ministers make contradictions on Nkandla

Ministers Gugile Nkwinti and Thulas Nxesi have disagreed with each other over the sale of houses at Nkandla, says a report.

Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi.

Nxesi: DA’s Nkandla court bid is about scoring points

Minister Thulas Nxesi says he "will not play politics" over the DA’s court bid forcing his department to reveal its report about upgrades to Nkandla.