By Lulama Klassen
South Africa’s construction industry is undergoing a major shake-up. Public works and infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson confirmed that 40 contractors have been blacklisted by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), barring them from doing business with the department and its entities.
The CIDB has been tightening enforcement since June last year. Before then, only one company had been blacklisted since 2002. The minister said this decisive action was about restoring accountability in a sector where incomplete projects and non-performance have undermined public trust (TimesLIVE).
Macpherson stressed that the decision demonstrates the department’s commitment to taking firm action against contractors who fail to deliver. He explained that those affected would no longer be able to bid for tenders or secure contracts with public works.
‘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,’ he commented.
Drawing from the department’s recent reforms, Macpherson pointed out that only one company had faced blacklisting over more than two decades prior to 2023. Reports suggests that the new approach represents a sharp departure from that history.
He described the previous situation as ‘completely unacceptable,’ saying it weakened faith in the state’s ability to act decisively.
The minister also revealed that his department is refining its processes to speed up blacklisting and recover funds from underperforming contractors. He said that efforts over the past year, such as filling vacancies, introducing new accountability tools, and tightening procurement systems, were already showing results.
‘These 40 black listings are proof that our reforms are working,’ Macpherson said, before adding that the work to clean up the department was ongoing.
Source: Cape Town Etc
