Macpherson Demands Bi-Weekly Reports on National Assembly Reconstruction

During a site visit on Thursday, Macpherson emphasized the need for accelerated reconstruction efforts to prevent further delays.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has called upon the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to provide bi-weekly progress reports on the reconstruction of Parliament's National Assembly site. These reports will also include a monthly cost schedule, which will be shared with the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure to ensure transparency.

The Minister's request aims to ensure that contractors adhere to the agreed timelines and budget. "Having worked in the National Assembly for over a decade, it is deeply distressing to witness the damage to this cornerstone of our democracy," said Macpherson. He expressed a strong desire to be actively involved in the reconstruction process to ensure the project stays on track and within budget.

During a site visit on Thursday, Macpherson emphasized the need for accelerated reconstruction efforts to prevent further delays. "We cannot afford to wait any longer," he stated.

The Minister also met with National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to discuss the progress of the reconstruction and strategies to expedite the work. He highlighted that increased oversight would help prevent misuse of public funds and urged the public to report any corruption allegations with evidence to his office for investigation.

Macpherson stressed the importance of rebuilding the National Assembly to not only protect it from future disasters like fires and theft but also to make it more accessible to the public. "The reconstruction must honor our history while looking towards the future, standing as a testament to the strength of our democracy," he added.

The historic Parliamentary buildings were destroyed by a fire in January 2022.