Parliament, Thursday, 23 April 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure has urged the Independent Development Trust (IDT) to prioritise transformation in public infrastructure delivery programmes during its meeting with the IDT and Agrément South Africa yesterday to consider their 2026/27 annual performance plans.
The committee welcomed the engagements but called for greater inclusion and expansion of access for contractors led by youth, women and persons with disabilities. It highlighted its concerns over progress in broadening access to opportunities for designated groups, and that the numbers remain far below expectations.
The committee further observed that the number of projects awarded to women- and youth-owned companies consisted largely of small projects, limiting their exposure. The IDT highlighted that its construction book, valued at R6.5 billion for 2026/27, proved it was on the road to recovery. It could sustain itself through management fees if client departments paid for services on time.
The entity reported that it was well on its way to recover fees owed for this financial year, but that it needed the committee’s assistance to prevent the National Treasury from cutting its budget. This would negatively affect temporary jobs and skills training for the unemployed.
The committee raised serious concerns about the IDT’s performance, noting with dissatisfaction that only 47% of projects were completed on time. It stressed that this level of performance is unacceptable and that measures need to be put in place to ensure projects are completed on time.
Further concerns were raised regarding the Integrated Service Delivery Programme, which is intended to maximise job creation through public employment initiatives. The committee highlighted the steady decline in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), particularly the decreasing number of targeted participants, despite its critical role in providing employment opportunities across communities.
The committee warned that allocating budgets to projects that are not implementation-ready sets them up for failure. It also pointed to the disparity between the substantial funds allocated to the EPWP and the limited financial benefits reaching participants. Members of the committee welcomed the progress made on the Sarah Baartman Centre of Remembrance Project in Hankey, Eastern Cape.
The committee called on the IDT to urgently finalise the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer to ensure leadership stability following the departure of the previous incumbent.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE ACTING CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE, MR MLULEKI DLELANGA.
For media enquiries or interviews with the committee Chairperson, please contact:
Name: Jabulani Majozi (Mr)
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E-mail: jamajozi@parliament.gov.za
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