DPWI Minister Dean Macpherson Pledges Reform after Briefing on Department Performance Flaws

In the face of systemic underperformance, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has been briefed by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure's (DPWI) shortcomings during the 2022/2023 fiscal year. This meeting underscores a collective resolve to bolster the department's financial efficiency and delivery record.

The 2022/2023 AGSA report details a discouraging leap in irregular expenditure—from R98 million in the 2020/2021 period to a stark R521 million—highlighting significant deficiencies in the stewardship of public resources. In response to these challenges, Minister Macpherson resolved to enforce impactful changes, thereby maximizing the department's efficacy and increasing accountability.

This determination for reform has already instigated several preventive measures to obstruct the mismanagement of funds and elevate the quality of outcomes. Central to these endeavors is the establishment of more rigorous oversight and the cultivation of an environment where corruption incurs prompt and meaningful consequences. This complements the previously announced actions following last week's fiscal results, signifying Minister Macpherson's proactive stance on rectifying the department's trajectory.

To this effect, Macpherson has notably revoked certain financial liberties previously held by officials – specifically, the autonomy to expend up to R20 million without direct approval from an accounting officer. Complementing this, a skills audit at the Senior Management Service (SMS) level is underway to ensure that essential competencies are available within the DPWI, realigning the department's capacity with its operational demands.

During the meeting, the Minister laid bare the commitment to overhaul the DPWI's operational paradigm and reestablish adherence to envisioned outcomes. "It will not be an overnight journey to resolve these problems, but it is something I am committed and determined to do at all costs," Macpherson expressed, envisioning a reformed entity that utilizes public funds judiciously and transforms public assets into engines of growth.

This strategy is poised to reinvigorate the department and is part of a broader vision to convert South Africa into a dynamic construction site, leveraging public assets for communal prosperity. Despite the anticipated challenges, these reformative strides by Minister Macpherson chart a path towards heightened transparency and a public infrastructure sector that South Africans can trust.