Pretoria: Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has welcomed the move by the department’s entity, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), to blacklist 40 contractors from doing business with the department and its entities.

According to South African Government News Agency, the blacklisting spans from June 2024 to date. Macpherson stated that this sends a clear signal that the department is serious about acting against non-performance and it means that these contractors are now prohibited from bidding for tenders or being awarded work by the department.

The Minister emphasized that this aligns with his vision of ensuring that the department is a professional and highly functional delivery unit, capable of providing high-quality economic infrastructure that will grow the economy and create jobs. ‘The move to blacklist these non-performing contractors is exactly what we promised South Africans when I took office – that those who underperform or engage in corruption will be held accountable and removed from the system,’ Macpherson added.

The CIDB’s action to blacklist these contractors is a demonstration of the department’s commitment to accountability, sending a clear message that the days of impunity are over. The Minister further mentioned that the department is also refining its processes to ensure that the blacklisting of non-performing companies happens more swiftly, and to recover money from contractors in order to safeguard public funds.

Macpherson highlighted that over the last year, efforts have been made to strengthen the department by filling key vacancies, introducing new accountability mechanisms, and tightening procurement processes. He asserted that these 40 blacklistings are proof that the reforms are working, but acknowledged that there is more to be done. ‘We are expediting our work to clean up the department and its entities to ensure that we can play a key role in building a better country for all South Africans,’ he said.