Parliament, Wednesday, 5 August2026 – The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure appeared before the committee to present its turnaround strategy, which is intended to strengthen institutional effectiveness and improve service delivery.
The department also briefed the committee on progress made in filling senior management and other strategic positions within it and the Property Management Trading Entity, as well as on measures to address the persistent challenge of ghost employees.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Carol Phiri, said it was deeply concerning to witness the weaknesses in the department's internal reporting and communication processes. She said communication between the offices of the Minister, the Deputy Minister and senior management was inadequate and indicated that this revealed serious governance weakness.
The committee expressed concerns over the apparent tensions between the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and the Deputy Minister, which were evident during today’s committee meeting.
The Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Sihle Zikalala, told the committee that restructuring of the department should be informed by a comprehensive organisational assessment, rather than being undertaken without a clear understanding of the underlying challenges.
Mr Zikalala referred the committee to changes in senior management responsibilities, including the appointment of an Acting Director-General and the lack of clarity concerning the Acting Chief Financial Officer. He stated that some of these developments pointed to broader governance concerns that could adversely affect the department’s ability to fulfil its mandate.
Ms Phiri said: “We need to carefully consider the concerns raised during the meeting and we are not going to allow these issues to pass without further scrutiny. We want to understand the frequency, structure and content of the department's monthly management meetings, including how senior management reported to the executive authority and how decisions were communicated and implemented.”
Minister Dean Macpherson informed the committee that he was in possession of the transfer request submitted by one of the senior managers in the department indicating his willingness to vacate his position. He explained that the employees’ request arose from matters that had a direct impact on their personal safety and wellbeing.
Ms Phiri proposed that a dedicated engagement session be convened involving herself, the Minister and the Deputy Minister to address communication and governance shortcomings identified during the meeting.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE, MS CAROL PHIRI.
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