Latest news with #DPWI
TimesLIVE
19-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Deadly George building collapse was 'entirely preventable': Macpherson
The tragedy of the partially completed building which collapsed in Victoria Street in the George municipality and claimed 34 lives in May last year was "entirely preventable". Public works and infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson, who released the findings of investigative reports into the building collapse following a meeting with families on Saturday, said the results were "serious, far-reaching and in many respects alarming". He said he would introduce a number of legislative reforms, including modernising regulations to avoid future tragedies and establishing a hotline for construction stakeholders to report safety concerns. Macpherson called for a police investigation into those criminally responsible for the tragedy. He said the Council for the Built Environment report found eight major faults: Serious safety concerns were raised well before the collapse as workers noticed cracks in columns, strange vibrations in the slab, and even visible holes through the walls in the basement as early as 2023; Despite these warning signs, site managers reportedly instructed workers to patch the damage with sand and mortar, rather than halting construction and escalating the matter for formal investigation; concrete used in the slabs did not meet required specifications and this was a basic material failure; The so-called 'competent person' responsible for the structural system did not have the necessary competency requirements to oversee a project of this complexity (a five-storey building); The geotechnical study of the site, critical in determining soil stability and groundwater conditions, was not only incomplete, but grossly deficient with key tests and geological mappings being missing; The Health and Safety Agent appointed to monitor site compliance resigned midway through the project saying they could no longer ensure safe working conditions. This was not reported to any of the relevant authorities which would halted construction; There was a lack of coordination between regulatory authorities including planning departments, NHBRC inspectors, DPWI professionals, and labour officials; and The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act which was last meaningfully amended in 1996 is outdated. Parallel to this investigation, the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) investigated the culpability of the engineer involved in the construction project.
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
State of South Africa's correctional facilities raises alarm over budget shortfalls
Portfolio Committee voices concerns over correctional facilities' maintenance woes Image: File The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services reiterated its deep concerns about the unsustainable state of correctional facilities across South Africa. The committee outlined that chronic budget shortfalls have rendered many facilities unable to maintain basic operational standards, threatening the wellbeing of inmates and staff alike. During the session, the committee received a briefing from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) concerning ongoing disputes related to user charges, as well as key issues identified during oversight visits to various correctional facilities. The DPWI highlighted that itemised billing, sanctioned by the National Treasury (NT), has resulted in a staggering shortfall of R24.1 billion since its implementation. This has raised alarm bells, especially as the rates approved by the NT fall significantly short of what is needed for full cost recovery. Currently, the DPWI, which serves as the landlord for government properties, receives an average rent of R23.24 per square metre from client departments. In stark contrast, the costs paid to the private sector for maintenance amount to R110 per square meter. The vast discrepancies have forced the DPWI to operate at a crippling loss, particularly concerning the properties it manages for the Department of Correctional Services. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Over the past five years, DPWI has reported a cumulative deficit of R1.9 billion, averaging losses of R376 million annually. Committee Chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said it does not help if one has a beautiful kitchen in a centre with five or six stoves, but only one is working. "We saw that for ourselves in KwaZulu-Natal,' she added. She implored the task team to prioritise areas that require immediate attention to avert further deterioration. 'Once inmates are unable to eat or are given one meal a day, it becomes a serious challenge,' she added, stressing the critical nature of regular meal provision in correctional facilities. The committee is advocating for the continuation of maintenance efforts, urging the Department of Correctional Services to leverage offender labour for repairs. Ramolobeng emphasised the importance of filling artisan vacancies, which could potentially facilitate the rejuvenation of under-maintained facilities. In a bid to address these pressing issues, the committee has called for a meeting of all heads of departments from the DPWI, DCS, and NT to deliberate on user charge allocations that have cost taxpayers over R842 million in the current 2024/25 period. Despite these funds being allocated, a significant portion of maintenance responsibilities has been shifted back to the DCS, stirring concern among committee members regarding accountability and effective resource utilisation. Moving forward, the committee has proposed inviting the National Treasury to provide further insight into these matters, and it has mandated that regular updates be provided from the task team, which is expected to forge viable solutions for the internal conflicts and external challenges facing South Africa's correctional facilities. IOL
Zawya
15-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Correctional Services Committee Concerned About Dilapidated State of Facilities Due to Budget Cuts
The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services today re-iterated its grave concern regarding the state of correctional facilities around the country because of insufficient maintenance due to budget shortfalls. The committee indicated that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and National Treasury (NT) must work closely together to find solutions to the dire condition of some facilities. The committee today received a briefing from the DPWI on the dispute between the DPWI and the DCS about user charges and on matters identified during oversight visits. The DPWI told the committee that the itemised billing was approved by the NT in terms of Treasury regulations. However, the rates approved by the NT are far below the calculated level required to achieve full cost recovery. This has led in a shortfall of R24.1 billion since the implementation of itemised billing. The DPWI, which acts as landlord, said that it received R4.7 billion from client departments at an average of R23,24 per m2, whereas it pays the private sector R110 per m2. Annual day-to-day maintenance amounts to R2.2 billion for 56 414 buildings occupied by government and rates amount to R1.8 billion. The committee heard that in terms of the DCS, NT only allows it to pay R14.33 m2 for building space. The committee was told that, for properties occupied by the DCS, the DPWI is running at a loss. Over the past five years, the total deficit amounts to R1.9 billion, with an annual average loss of R376 million. However, a task team is working on finding solutions to the challenges facing the two departments. Committee Chairperson Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the committee noted the work of the task team. She advised the task team to identify and prioritise those matters that cannot be left to deteriorate further. This should include DCS's day-to-day operations, which require regular service and maintain. 'It does not help if you have a beautiful kitchen in a centre with five or six stoves but only one is working. We saw that for ourselves in KwaZulu-Natal. In some instances, we even had to recommend that the kitchen should be shut down,' Ms Ramolobeng said. 'Once inmates are unable to eat or are given one meal a day,' the Chairperson continued, 'it becomes a serious challenge.' The committee advised the DCS to continue to do maintenance and repairs and use offender labour for this. The filling of artisan vacancies was also highlighted, as they could assist offenders with repairing facilities. The committee also agreed on the need for a meeting of heads of department between the DCS, DPWI and NT to discuss the issue of the user charge allocation. During a presentation a few weeks ago, the committee heard that more than R842 million was processed and paid to the DPWI in terms of this allocation during the 2024/25 period. However, DPWI has since relinquished the majority of maintenance responsibilities to the DCS, even though payments were made. The committee will also invite NT to brief the committee on this matter. In addition, the committee will require regular updates from the task team on progress achieved. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
IOL News
14-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How reimagining the Public Works portfolio can drive South Africa's economic growth
Cosatu President Zingiswa Losi. Image: Independent Newspapers Public Works can and must become an enabler of state renewal and inclusive economic growth. For far too long, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), has been synonymous with state capture and corruption. Ministers have come and gone and the rot has continued. Yet this portfolio with decisive interventions, can help turn South Africa into a construction site, creating jobs and unlocking badly needed economic growth. This was a vision first outlined by President Nelson Mandela and one that must be pursued by government led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the African National Congress. A reimagining of this portfolio is all the more pressing with the economy barely averaging 1% annual growth over the past 15 years, unemployment a ticking time bomb at 43.1% and the fiscus facing a long list of equally pressing needs. For this to happen, DPWI needs to be cleansed of the cancer of state capture. Politicians, business people and officials involved in corruption must be removed and made to face the law. To deal with corruption lifestyle audits by the South African Revenue Services and Special Investigations Unit must be deployed to such persons of influence. Transparent procurement processes for the leasing of properties are needed as per the now assented to Public Procurement Act. Its promulgation and Regulations need to be expedited. The government must ensure the long-promised asset registry of all state property is completed and made available to the public. A cleansed and renewed DPWI needs to reimagine its role as the nation's leading property owner, but one tasked by Parliament and the Constitution to driving the nation's transformation and inclusive economic growth. It needs to play its part in freeing state property for economic infrastructure investments, be it land to build roads to reduce traffic congestion or to overhaul aging water infrastructure, to rolling out electricity transmission lines (especially in the three Cape Provinces rich with renewable energy potential, to expanding port facilities and thus boosting our export industries (in particular mining, agriculture and manufacturing), to securing passenger and freight railway lines and thus making it faster and cheaper for commuters and goods to reach their destinations, or to availing land for schools, colleges and universities to enable more young people to acquire the education and skills needed to find work. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ DPWI needs to play its part in being the state's property agent. The state is naturally the largest employer in the economy and requires land and buildings to fulfill its responsibilities, yet the state is spending billions of Rands renting expensive properties across the country. This is despite countless state buildings and land standing empty, and in many cases, sites of criminal activities and illegal occupation. Often politicians and property owners have a vested interest in this as money is to be made off expensive leases with bribes to be collected. This tragedy has a human face. In the Western Cape in 2024 2 407 teachers were retrenched in 2024, yet the same provincial government is spending millions each month renting office space in Cape Town whilst provincial buildings are available! This crisis is replicated across the country. Billions can be saved and be better used to employ doctors, nurses, teachers and police officers. DPWI needs to play a progressive role availing property for housing, in particular for low income, single mothers, poorly paid public servants, for domestic workers to be close to their workplaces, in inner cities and to help deracialise still largely segregated communities. This can help boost the amount of public housing for the poor the state is able to provide. A modernised DPWI that knows what the state owns can be better placed to lease property it doesn't currently require for residential or commercial purposes. This can be done through the Public Investment Corporation, which has extensive experience in property management and rental income. This revenue can ease the burden on a badly overstretched fiscus and release funds for pressing needs including fixing leaking water pipes in townships, reducing Eskom's debt burden and providing capital for farm workers to become farmers. A DPWI in touch with what it owns, can support the Departments of Trade, Industry and Competition as well as Small Business Development, by releasing and letting land and properties for SMMEs, industrial and commercial development. Land near residential neighbourhoods, in particular rural towns, townships and informal areas can attract economic investments and jobs near where working-class communities live, inject new life and secondary economic activities there and saving workers money spent on transport. The state is estimated to own 30% of South Africa's land yet there is a pressing need for land to be released for farm workers and labour tenants to call their own, for residents of informal areas to build homes and to unlock the development of SMMEs in townships. In the midst of the fake news and deliberate distortions of what the Expropriation Act contains, one of the key motivations for nil compensation has been lost in the public discourse. The state is not a single homogenous organ. It's spread across hundreds of national and provincial departments, entities, municipalities and State-Owned enterprises. All too often these state institutions neglect and do not utilise their property until its release is requested by another department for housing or other needs. The affected state institution then agrees to sell it for market related compensation to the same government! It makes no sense why a financially cash-strapped state must compensate the same state for land needed for the public good! Yet this has happened in the past and hence the need for the Expropriation Act to fix this. A crisis provides an opportunity to fix what has been broken and neglected for far too long. A capacitated DPWI, can become a site of victory over state capture and corruption, an enabler of economic growth and decent jobs, a supporter of public housing and infrastructure, and a source of revenue for state needing funds to address our many dire socio-economic challenges. Cosatu President Zingiswa Losi *** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL. BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How South Africa's One Stop Border Post initiative will revolutionise land ports
The One Stop Border Post (OSBP) concept is expected to streamline and improve border operations at six land ports in South Africa, including Beitbridge, bordering Zimbabwe. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The One Stop Border Post (OSBP) concept is expected to streamline and improve border operations at six land ports in South Africa. The OSBP will not only deal with two critical issues in South Africa, i.e., security and economic growth, but will also drive increasing efficiency and lower the cost of cross-border trade in SA, said the Minister of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), Dr Leon Schreiber. Schreiber remarked on Wednesday when the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure received a briefing by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and the Border Management Authority (BMA) on the redevelopment and redesign of the top six land commercial ports of entry and the subsequent implementation of the OSBP concept. Sihle Zikalala, deputy minister of DPWI, added that the function of the OSBP is a collaborative project between the DPWI and DHA. Schreiber said this was the type of collaboration that was required for some of the critical infrastructure projects that are economic enablers for the country. Schreiber added that the advantages will be better infrastructure to have what he called a sanitised border environment, which is critical for security matters, for dealing with corruption, among others. 'Upgrades and better infrastructure are critical to economic growth to increase cross-border trade and to make sure we unlock the potential of South Africa's land borders to become those key economic enablers in the region and continent,' Schreiber said. He said the project is catalytic and makes use of technology from inception. Historically, the SA land port of entry (POE) was not designed and built to facilitate the movement of large volumes of people and goods, resulting in great inefficiencies at the POE, explained Dr Michael Masiapato, the BMA commissioner. He explained that land ports are congested and stifling trade with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, and as a measure to address overburdened POEs, the DHA and BMA identified the six POEs for redevelopment. They are: Beitbridge (bordering Zimbabwe). Lebombo (bordering Mozambique). Oshoek (bordering the Kingdom of Eswatini). Kopfontein (bordering Botswana). Maseru Bridge (bordering Lesotho). Ficksburg (bordering Lesotho). Masiapato said the POEs will serve as prime conduits for regional trade, and the construction phase will lead to job creation in the surrounding areas. Since the BMA's inception two years ago, their success rate in stopping illicit goods and illegal immigrants has been notable.
