House Chairperson, the ACDP welcomes the opportunity to engage on the Public Works and Infrastructure Budget Vote, recognising this Department, as central to economic growth, job creation, and the stewardship of the state’s vast immovable assets.
The ACDP posits that the Department’s allocation of approximately R8.1 billion must deliver tangible outcomes. These funds must translate into real jobs, functional infrastructure, and restored public confidence – not inflated contracts or idle assets.
The ACDP commends blacklisting 40 contractors for corruption and non-performance, a decisive step toward accountability. However, this must be the beginning, not the exception, towards consistent consequence management, transparent reporting, and recovery of misused funds.
A critical weakness remains the absence of a credible, up-to-date asset register. As one of the largest property owners in the country, the state still lacks accurate data on what it owns, where those assets are, and their condition. This undermines planning, fuels inefficiency, and prevents the unlocking of economic value through partnerships and development.
Equally concerning is the continued neglect of maintenance. Government buildings are deteriorating, while the state continues to lease private properties despite owning underutilised facilities. This is not just inefficient – it is fiscally irresponsible. Additionally, the perpetual scourge of ghost workers, IDT inefficiencies and the recurring nightmare of the Telkom Towers debacle will leave a blight on the Minister’s legacy, if not speedily addressed.
Governance challenges persist, including project delays, underspending, and weak oversight of the Property Management Trading Entity. The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure has rightly called for stricter lease management, improved procurement transparency, and stronger monitoring. These recommendations must be implemented without delay.
The ACDP calls for urgent reforms: a verified and publicly accessible digital asset register; a strategic asset management plan to optimise or release underutilised properties; prioritised maintenance funding; and strengthened internal capacity to ensure delivery.
As Kingdom builders, the ACDP recommends the Parable of the Talents which reminds us that faithful stewardship leads to increase, while neglect leads to loss. It is ethical, and effective management that become drivers of dignity, opportunity, and economic renewal for all South Africans.
