Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson Blocks 40 Contractors

• Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has announced that 40 contractors have been blacklisted since the start of his term in July 2024
• The minister said that over the past 20 years, the department has managed to block only one contractor
• Macpherson noted that over the past year, his department has accelerated the blacklisting of non-compliant contractors

On Sunday, 21 September 2025, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, announced that his department had blacklisted 40 contractors since the start of his term in July 2024.

What did the minister say?

Macpherson pointed out that over the past year, his department has accelerated the blacklisting of non-compliant contractors, a significant shift given that only one contractor had been blacklisted in more than two decades.

He said that this is a significant move given the past record of the department. The minister said the Construction Industry Development Board’s (CIDB) action fulfils his promise to crack down on non-performance and corruption.

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The minister stated that the department is working on improving the blacklisting process to recover public funds and to clean up the department. He said that the department is serious about non-performances, adding that this step means corrupt contractors are now barred from bidding for tenders or receiving work from the department.

One company has been blacklisted since 2002

He noted that this marks a sharp contrast to the single company blacklisted since 2002, stating that such a situation was unacceptable in a country where many construction projects were left incomplete or poorly built, ultimately eroding trust in the State’s ability to act decisively.

The minister said the department has been strengthened by filling key vacancies, introducing new accountability measures, and tightening procurement processes. He said that the 40 blacklistings show that the reforms are working, but emphasised that efforts are ongoing to clean up the department and its entities so they can play a meaningful role in building a better country for all South Africans.

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What did South Africans say?

Social media users shared their opinions regarding what the minister said.

@BigGxabashe said:

"Can we see the list of the 40 contractors please."

@intrepidesigner said:

"Does the list include Blackhead Consulting, NJR projects, CMS water engineering, and Diamond Hill Trading?"

@FaredaVandeKaap said:

"Excellent news! A Lack of Accountability & a Lack of Consequence Management are two of the most important factors contributing to the loss of Taxpayers' money; the Culture Of Impunity for wrongdoers in Govt along with their Business Cronies; & the entrenchment of Corruption!"

@bonganidhl4955 said:

"How do you deal with it when the same directors reappear in different companies and do business with the state again?"

@OldKing_Red said:

"I hope you black list the owners as they will just make a new company and do it again."

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• Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) have arrested 10 SASSA officials in the space of a month.
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Source: Briefly News