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TimesLIVE
13-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Department blame game leaves SANDF personnel in crumbling facilities
South Africa's military infrastructure is on the verge of total collapse, an MP said in the wake of a joint meeting of two parliamentary oversight committees. The high-stakes meeting of parliament's portfolio committee on defence and military veterans (PCDMV) and portfolio committee on public works and infrastructure (PCPWI) this week laid bare deep institutional dysfunction and mistrust between the department of defence (DoD) and department of public works and infrastructure (DPWI). The session aimed to address the stalled devolution of infrastructure maintenance functions from the DPWI to the DoD and the growing crisis in defence facility management across the country. The meeting was called in response to security concerns and service failures at military bases, many of which are more than a century old and suffering from chronic neglect. Members heard that some bases house live ammunition depots and sensitive military equipment yet are surrounded by informal settlements due to land invasions that the DPWI, as the legal custodian of state property, has failed to respond to in a timely manner. 'We are sitting on a powder keg' Chairperson of the PCDMV Dakota Legoete opened the hearing with a stark warning. He said some military bases house ammunition depots and are subject to land grabs by people residing next to these bases. It becomes very difficult to always consult the public works department to say there's a land grab as public works takes six months to respond and by the time they do, squatters need to be provided with alternative land because the law allows for this if they have stayed on the land for over 48 hours. Defence readiness under fire as MPs grill Armscor over failing navy and air force contracts MPs from across the political spectrum on Friday interrogated Armscor and the defence department about delays, underfunding and systemic risks ... Politics 43 minutes ago The DoD underscored that its lack of custodianship over its own bases prevents it from legally evicting trespassers or initiating critical repairs, making the situation untenable. DPWI admits to backlogs and budget deficits The DPWI, represented by deputy minister Sihle Zikalala and senior officials, conceded to a widespread breakdown of infrastructure delivery, pointing to years of underfunding and operational instability. 'In 2016 our budget was R17bn. Today it is R18bn. With inflation and increasing property rates, we are R9bn short of what we should have had,' said Siza Sibande, head of the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE). He reported a nationwide infrastructure maintenance backlog of R29bn, with R4bn directly related to defence properties. 'We are struggling with underspending, limited planning capacity and a model where the funds for projects sit with the client departments who then delay payment,' he said. The department also revealed it was holding R4.171bn in unpaid accounts under a shared savings utility management programme, with the DoD being the largest debtor. Frustration from defence Vice-Adm David Maningi Mkhonto, chief of logistics in the DoD, detailed the department's efforts to reclaim control of its infrastructure portfolio, citing a 2018 directive from the standing committee on appropriations. 'The poor state of our facilities is due to DPWI's failure to deliver. Our own works capability is being rebuilt so we can take over key functions,' he said. So far, emergency repairs and day-to-day maintenance have been devolved as of April 2024. However, rates and taxes, leases and capital projects remain under the DPWI. The DoD claims to have the professional and technical capacity to manage these, noting it has more than 1,000 trained artisans and professionals in infrastructure roles. Deputy minister of defence Richard Mkhungo reinforced the need for departmental autonomy: 'We are a complex department with security sensitivities. Civilians managing critical infrastructure pose a risk. We do not seek superiority over DPWI, but we do seek independence where it matters.' Committee members voice concern Committee members delivered pointed criticism of both departments, with several voicing frustration at the repeated absence of key ministers. The failure of the minister of defence to attend or stay for the duration of crucial meetings was viewed as indicative of a broader lack of respect for parliamentary oversight. Concerns were raised over the DPWI's track record in managing its responsibilities, with strong views that the department's repeated underperformance had put national security at risk. The notion that the department of defence should continue relying on a landlord that struggles to maintain essential infrastructure was described as unacceptable, with the implications stretching far beyond administrative inefficiency. Others highlighted what they saw as the real drivers behind the ongoing dispute — the competition for control over infrastructure budgets rather than a shared commitment to improving service delivery. There was a call for departments to shift focus from internal power struggles to tangible outcomes. The handling of documentation was also criticised. Committee members questioned why the DPWI submitted a modified version of its presentation without prior notice, suggesting this undermined transparency and accountability. Similar concerns were directed at the defence department, which introduced legal references during its briefing that were absent from the written materials, leaving members unable to scrutinise the claims properly. Way forward: A technical working group and political oversight Despite tensions, both departments agreed to establish a joint technical working group to review project statuses and agree on a path forward. The DPWI proposed an 'accelerated execution model' using pre-approved contractor panels to improve turnaround times. The DoD committed to finalising its internal infrastructure management structure by March 2026. The committee recommended a reversal of the DoD's 2021 moratorium on new infrastructure projects, warning that failure to complete design-stage projects could lead to fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Legoete concluded the hearing by stressing the urgency of progress. 'This is not a bureaucratic squabble. It is a national security risk. We need performance, not paper pushing — and we need it now.' Further hearings are expected as the portfolio committees push for executive-level accountability and the resolution of a dispute that has effectively paralysed the maintenance of South Africa's military infrastructure. DA defence and military veterans' spokesperson Chris Hattingh said in a statement after Wednesday's meeting that immediate political intervention was needed. This, because the DoD and its facilities maintenance arm — the works formation — and minister Dean Macpherson 's DPWI are in 'a destructive stand-off, paralysing infrastructure delivery'. He maintains the DoD/DPWI briefings 'laid bare this dysfunction — a complete breakdown in trust, co-ordination and accountability'. Both sides are to blame, he says, adding years of DWPI underperformance has left defence facilities in disrepair with minister Angie Motshekga's DoD failing to settle its debts. One of these, according to Hattingh, is the more than R4bn owing for municipal services. 'In 2021 the DoD unilaterally froze all unfunded and planned infrastructure projects, citing excessive delays. The DPWI says this action wasted millions in design costs, now likely to be written off. What followed was a blame game: defence accusing public works of inefficiency and public works accusing defence of financial neglect and unilateralism,' his statement on the meeting notes. Hattingh concluded that while departments point fingers, 'our soldiers are left to serve in dangerous, crumbling facilities. This is not just a governance failure it is a betrayal of the men and women in uniform.'
IOL News
02-06-2025
- 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.
