department of public works and infrastructurelatest news & developments
The Blue, Green and No Drop certification programmes are the department’s regulatory mechanisms to improve municipal drinking water quality, wastewater management, water conservation and demand management.

SA’s water crisis deepens: Nearly half of wastewater systems critical

The latest Green, Blue and No Drop reports show widespread deterioration of water and sanitation infrastructure. Nearly half of wastewater systems are critical, drinking water improvements are marginal and non-revenue water losses remain high in multiple provinces, highlighting urgent need for municipal investment and reform

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson

Dean Macpherson: Public Works and Infrastructure

SCORE: B- Macpherson tackled the construction mafia in 2024. Since June 2024, 40 non-performing contractors have been blacklisted from doing business with the department. Macpherson also suspended funding under the Expanded Public Works Programme to the Free State municipality of Matjhabeng following allegations of inflated salaries paid to politically connected individuals — pending a full […]

  • Eyaaz
1 min read
Public works and infrastructure minister, Dean Macpherson. (Photo: X)

KwaZulu-Natal municipality seething after public works minister strips it of key tourism assets

Dean Macpherson said the Ray Nkonyeni local municipality had failed dismally to manage the leases to the properties, putting the livelihoods of business owners in jeopardy

  • Eyaaz
2 min read

The God Edition | Secularism is the bridge to harmony and democracy

Religious organisations, political leaders and citizens all have a role to play in defending the principle of secularism

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
Police are investigating more than 700 hundred cases related to the “construction mafia” since they joined forces with the department of public works in a nationwide clamp down on criminal disruptions at building sites.

South Africa clamps down on ‘construction mafia’

More than 700 cases related to criminal gangs disrupting construction sites have been reported over the past five months

  • Eyaaz
5 min read
The Constitution makes provision for the restitution of land to those who were dispossessed during apartheid rule. The Expropriation Act is not a land reform law

Deal with South Africa on the basis of facts, not rumour

The country stands firm on the principle that diplomacy is the most viable route for settling differences in a complicated geopolitical world, including the conflict in the Middle East

8 min read
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson and eThekwini Mayor Cyrical Xama at a press briefing to reveal their plans to deal with dodgy buildings. Photo: Supplied

Minister Macpherson and mayor Xaba tackle Durban’s bad buildings

The public works and infrastructure minister said the government was not prepared to negotiate with the construction mafia because you don’t negotiate with people who commit violence, murder and extortion

5 min read
Rescue teams on site as operations continue at 75 Victoria Street, George (George municipality)

Preliminary findings show compliance gap led to George building collapse

The death toll in the George building collapse has reached 33 and 19 people are still missing This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Umamah Bakharia
1 min read