Latest news with #DPWI
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Public Works rejects 'untruthful narratives' on prison maintenance, reveals budget shortfall
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has responded to claims regarding the lack of maintenance for prison facilities, revealing a significant budget shortfall. Image: Armand Hough Independent Newspapers The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has strongly rejected what it calls 'misrepresentations and untruthful narratives' presented to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, following widespread criticism over alleged failure to maintain prison infrastructure, including in KwaZulu-Natal. During a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services last week, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) revealed that it paid over R842 million to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) in the 2024/25 financial year for maintenance services, but claimed no work was done, prompting MPs to question whether the DCS had requested a refund. The MPs also raised concern about the worsening state of correctional facilities, including the closure of the kitchen at Westville Correctional Service Medium A in KZN as it needs refurbishment which will cost R12 million. However, DPWI spokesperson Lennox Mabaso said the department "rejects and takes serious exception to the misrepresentations and untruthful narratives presented before the DCS Portfolio Committee.' Mabaso expressed that the department was 'deeply concerned' about the information presented to the committee. 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 ✕ Ad loading DPWI Director-General Sifiso Mdakane disputed that R842 million had been received, stating that financial records showed the amount received from DCS for accommodation charges in 2024/25 was R672 million. 'It is unfortunate to learn of this through the media when recently, the ministers of the two departments met and resolved that the accounting officers must lead a task team to resolve all the matters including payments, budget and state of facilities,' Mdakane said. According to the DPWI, the DCS occupies 12,282 properties at a cost of R14.33 per square metre, while the approved finance model sets the cost at R53.60 per square metre — a shortfall of nearly R2 billion annually. 'The R14.33 per square metre basic user charge paid by the Department of Correctional Services is insufficient to cover any basic services related to property management, ownership, or custodianship as per the DPWI mandate,' Mabaso said. He added that more than R520 million of the R672 million received from DCS went to municipalities for property rates, with only R152 million spent on maintenance and repairs. 'In fact, over a period of four years, the DCS has paid the DPWI R2.6 billion while the DPWI has spent R4.4 billion to service the Department of Correctional Services,' said Mabaso. 'This translates to a staggering R1.8 billion budget shortfall.'
Zawya
29-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Committee Raises Alarm Over Staffing at Public Works and Infrastructure Department
The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure has expressed grave concern over the worsening human resource challenges at the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE). During a briefing by the department on its recruitment, vacancy filling and staff retention strategies, the committee noted with alarm that the current vacancy rate stands at 14%, significantly above the acceptable 10% threshold, and continues to rise. The committee said if this situation continues, it could undermine service delivery, delay infrastructure projects, and contribute to low staff morale. The committee noted the continued failure to fill critical senior management positions, including deputy directors-general, head of Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) and executive for supply chain management. The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Carol Phiri said, 'This prolonged leadership vacuum is stalling crucial decision-making processes and weakening the strategic direction of the department, and this ongoing trend poses a serious threat to the department's operational capability'. The DPWI informed the committee that, despite completing key recruitment steps, such as advertising, shortlisting and interviews, final appointments remain stalled due to pending Cabinet and ministerial approvals. The committee said it is equally troubling that 56 of the 129 current vacancies are unfunded, due largely to unbudgeted cost-of-living adjustments. the DPWI cited cost-containment measures imposed by the Department of Public Service and Administration as a major impediment to recruitment. Furthermore, the committee expressed disappointment that it was not invited to attend or contribute to the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa recently hosted by Infrastructure South Africa. The committee believes that parliamentary oversight bodies must be included in such important national engagements to ensure alignment with legislative priorities and transparency. The committee will continue to monitor the situation closely and expects decisive action to address these longstanding human resource and governance issues. In addition, going forward the department must clarify its acting policy with the portfolio committee. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
IOL News
28-05-2025
- IOL News
R12 million needed to refurbish Westville prison kitchen amid infrastructure concerns
Some of the prison facilities in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng are in a poor state. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The closure of the kitchen at Westville Correctional Service Medium A in February due to non-compliance has put the spotlight on the crumbling state of prison infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal. During a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services this week, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) revealed that it needs R12 million to refurbish the Westville kitchen, which includes replacing equipment, repairing the floor surface, tiling, and painting. In the meantime, meals for inmates are being prepared by other kitchens within the Westville Management Area. Members of Parliament in the committee expressed concern over the poor condition of kitchens and facilities across several centres in KZN and Gauteng, many of which are in disrepair. MPs questioned why the facilities were in such a poor state despite hundreds of millions of rand being paid to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) for maintenance. Committee chairperson Kgomotoso Anthea Ramolobeng said, 'We cannot keep on paying DPWI when servicing ought to be done but nothing happens whilst we are sitting with correctional facilities that are highly dilapidated, on the verge of collapse.' The committee was told that more than R842 million was paid to the DPWI during the 2024/25 financial year under the user charges allocation. However, the DPWI has relinquished most of its maintenance duties to the DCS, prompting members to question whether the DCS has formally requested a refund. Ramolobeng asked, 'What is the process of requesting a refund?' and said members wanted to know when a request was made and how the DPWI responded, if at all. The Modderbee Correctional Centre kitchen project in Gauteng also came under scrutiny. A full upgrade tender advertised by the DPWI lapsed with no award made. The DCS went ahead with limited renovations using its own staff and inmates in October 2023 at a cost of R94 464. The kitchen reopened in March this year but still needs R7 million for equipment.
Russia Today
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
South Africa enacts major intelligence reforms
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed off on sweeping reforms to the country's intelligence services. The new legislation – the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill – dissolves the existing State Security Agency (SSA) and establishes two separate entities: the Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) and the Domestic Intelligence Agency (DIA), the presidential administration announced on Friday. The FIS will be responsible for gathering intelligence overseas to detect potential threats to national security, while the DIA will focus on counterintelligence and assessing domestic risks. Additionally, the law re-establishes the South African National Academy of Intelligence (SANAI) and the Intelligence Training Institute to enhance training for both domestic and foreign intelligence operations. 'The law also addresses concerns about bulk interception by intelligence services of internet traffic entering or leaving South Africa, by introducing new measures including authorisation within the intelligence services as well as court reviews of such interception,' the statement read. READ MORE: Can this nation finally turn G20 to the Global South? The new legislation places the administration, financial management, and expenditure of intelligence entities under the oversight of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, 'a multiparty committee of Parliament that processes public complaints about the intelligence services and monitors the finances and operations of these services.' The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill amends the National Strategic Intelligence Act of 1994, the Intelligence Services Act of 2002, and the Intelligence Services Oversight Act of 1994 to implement the changes. In November, local news agency City Press, quoting a member of parliament, reported that South Africa's State Security Agency was gearing up for large-scale dismissals. The reports indicated that the government was dissatisfied with the agency's overall performance. In July, government minister Dean Macpherson announced that over the past ten years, hackers had stolen 300 million rand ($16.6 million) from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). Multiple news agencies described it as the largest ever cyberattack on the South African government. READ MORE: South African govt hit by major cyber heist – minister Following the theft of 24 million rand ($1.3 million) from the DPWI in a cyberattack last May, former DPWI Minister Sihle Zikalala launched a full investigation involving the South African Police Service, State Security Agency, and IT specialists.
