Opposition parties slam public works budget amid claims of dysfunction

OPPOSITION parties pulled no punches when they criticised the 2025/26 budget of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in the National Assembly on Thursday.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

So brutal were the EFF, the MK Party, Rise Mzansi and Build One South Africa that the presiding officer called to order Minister Dean Macpherson at some point during the debate for him to refrain from making signs and signalling to an MP.

The MK Party’s Nkosinathi Nxumalo said the department's budget was not pro-poor but protected the politically connected.

"It shields the failing institutions such as the IDT (Independent Development Trust) and CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board) to mention a few, Nxumalo said.

He said the department's digitisation programme remained empty promises and asked where its immovable asset register was.

Nxumalo accused the department of parading Expanded Public Works Programme as a job creation success.

"The Prestige Management Trade Entity received R71m to maintain VIP residences and elite comfort. A lot of money makes sure the Government of National Unity is well taken care of. This is spitting in the face of the poor," he added.

The EFF’s Sharon Letlape said the department was wired with dysfunction, underspending and policy stagnation.