21 November 2025  

The ANC Study Group on Public Works and Infrastructure expresses its concern regarding the Notice of Prohibition issued to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure by the Department of Employment and Labour. This notice called for the closure of the Offices of the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. From the scanty information currently available, the building was closed by the inspectorate from labour due to health and safety considerations for workers. The ANC is not surprised by the closure of the building as the Department has a poor track record of maintenance of Government property which has repeatedly been raised in Parliamentary meetings of the Portfolio and in the National Assembly. Under the current Minister the performance of the Department has not improved, and it remains an underperforming department. He is also known for not being accountable to the Portfolio Committee through his regular nonattendance of meetings. 

What is shocking about this Notice of Prohibition is that the core mandate of the Department, through its entity PMTE, is enhancing the value of Government property, but it is unable or incapable of efficiently maintaining the building which houses the Department itself, let alone any other Government property. Whilst we are unhappy about the closure of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure Building, we are more concerned about the welfare and safety of the staff of the Department. 

It has also come to our attention that the Department has been made aware of the safety risk of the building to staff on many previous inspections but did not take appropriate remedial maintenance steps to correct this by repairing the ceilings and other safety issues with the building. This has now resulted in the inspectorate from labour taking the decision to issue a Notice of Prohibition and close the building until safety issues are dealt with.

For us the life and safety of staff is of paramount importance and the law with its accompanying regulations must take its course without fear or favour. This closure of the building through the lockout creates other serious challenges for the functioning of the department. The closure of the building means that work of the Department cannot occur in a coordinated manner in and amongst the various branches. Moreover, the accounting system SAGE which is housed in the department will not be able to move which puts financial controls at risk including the timely payment of suppliers. While some of the work can occur through the regional office which is a temporary measure, this is not sustainable. This is the consequence of not dealing with the safety compliance through maintenance in an efficient and timeous manner.  This is also a setback for the department to meet its quarterly targets for which both the Minister and DG are responsible. 

Soon the Minister will be making a statement on the Construction Master Plan in Parliament. How are we supposed to trust that the Minister and Department will be able to implement the Construction Master Plan when the Department is not able to maintain its own building or other Government buildings?

The ANC Study Group will request the Portfolio Committee to call the Minister, the Department and all concerned parties to a Portfolio Committee meeting to establish the facts of the closure of the building and the consequences of the closure. This needs to occur so that an effective solution to the closure can be explored and to ensure that consequence management is effected so that the highest safety standards are maintained in all Government Buildings through proper maintenance. The efficient functioning of Government departments is critical for effective service delivery, and this should never be compromised. 

Issued by the Whip of the ANC Study Group on Public Works and Infrastructure, Cde E Nkosi

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