Parliament, Thursday, 20 November 2025 – As part of its annual Provincial Week oversight programme, the Gauteng delegation to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) conducted a series of visits to infrastructure projects at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality to assess progress.
The delegation began at the Barketon Library infrastructure project in Springs, where members raised serious concerns about delays caused by the non-payment of the contractor and failure to adhere to construction specifications. The contractor told the delegation that all required invoices and supporting documents had been submitted to the municipality and the project manager.
The delegation heard that, despite repeated assurances about payments, none were made to the contractor. The contractor told delegates that the company remained committed to completing the project to protect its reputation, notwithstanding the financial loss it suffered.
Delegates were frustrated at the possibility that funds earmarked for the project may have been diverted. They resolved to issue a formal directive to the municipality, demanding payment to the contractor. Members of the delegation emphasised the NCOP’s constitutional authority to ensure accountability in municipal financial management.
Another concern was the quality of the materials used in the project, in particular the toilet doors. The project manager and contractor assured the delegation that all work is being carried out in accordance with the approved specifications and that any deviations will be rectified. Members of the delegation stressed the importance of strict compliance to prevent corruption or the use of substandard materials.
The delegation also visited Barcelona Primary School to assess progress on the major school infrastructure project. The project includes 40 classrooms, specialised rooms, a nutrition centre, and a sports field. Delegates heard that the first contractor completed only 10% of the work before the contract was terminated due to non-compliance, inadequate technical capacity and health-and-safety breaches. Procurement for a new contractor is currently underway. Delegates urged that construction resume promptly to prevent further disruption to learners, many of whom continue to learn under difficult conditions.
The delegation, joined by Members of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, also conducted a follow-up oversight visit to the long-delayed Kopanong Hospital project, originally intended as a 300-bed COVID-19 ICU facility under the Alternative Building Technology programme. Members welcomed progress made since their last oversight visit. They noted that five of the ten blocks have now been roofed. The Department of Health reported that structural assessments confirmed the remaining blocks are stable despite prolonged exposure. The department told the delegation that laboratory concrete testing is underway and that the full assessment report will be submitted to the delegation.
Members were also concerned that a R211 million provincial budget cut halted further work, including the appointment of a contractor, despite R51 million having been earmarked for the current financial year. The department is engaging Treasury to reinstate part of the funding to allow phased implementation.
Members also revisited Rustervaal Secondary School, where they were pleased to see what they described as a “completed good story”. The school building, which had experienced major delays when first visited in 2024, is now fully completed.
The leader of the delegation, Ms Jane Mananiso, said the completed project demonstrates the value of sustained oversight. She noted that the delegation deliberately chose to revisit projects it had visited as part of its 2024 Provincial Week Programme, especially those aimed at providing basic services and to ensure they were completed for the benefit of learners. The delegation reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to driving accountability and ensuring that abandoned or stalled public health facilities are completed and brought into full use for communities.
During its visit to the R82 Old Johannesburg Road project, the delegation noted the progress since its previous visit and was encouraged by it. Members observed improved coordination on the site, outdated infrastructure had been removed, and qualified engineers were on-site to ensure quality standards. While some technical issues remain, officials confirmed that the project is progressing in accordance with the specifications.
During the oversight visits, the delegation highlighted the importance of proactive parliamentary oversight to ensure accountability and to deliver infrastructure on time and of the highest quality. Ms Mananiso said these public infrastructure projects directly impact the daily lives of Gauteng residents and encouraged contractors and officials to uphold professionalism, transparency and urgency in these projects.
The full programme for the weeklong Gauteng Provincial Week is available at https://www.parliament.gov.za/project-event-details/4261
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF THE NCOP GAUTENG LEADER OF DELEGATION AND GAUTENG PROVINCIAL WHIP, MS JANE MANANISO
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