DPWI progress with outstanding legislation; NEHAWU concerns (with Minister)

The Committee received a briefing from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) on progress regarding outstanding legislation. The Department explained that it was advancing several legislative reforms, including the Infrastructure Development Amendment Bill, the Council for the Built Environment Amendment Bill, the Government Immovable Asset Management Act (GIAMA) Amendment Bill, the Public Works Bill, and the Construction Industry Development Board Amendment Bill. These reforms aim to strengthen regulatory oversight in the built environment, improve infrastructure planning and delivery, and modernise the legislative framework governing public assets and infrastructure development. The Department also highlighted proposals to establish the South African National Property Company (SANPC) and to formalise Infrastructure South Africa as a public entity, both of which are expected to support infrastructure investment and improve asset management. During the discussion, Members welcomed the presentation but raised several concerns regarding the implementation of legislation, the pace of legislative reform, and the need for stronger coordination across government departments. Questions were raised about the relationship between the proposed SANPC and the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE), the review of the Government Immovable Asset Management Act, and the proposed amendments to the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) Act. Members also emphasised the importance of comprehensive stakeholder consultation, particularly involving municipalities, industry bodies, and relevant government departments. The Department responded that stakeholder engagement would include a broad range of participants and confirmed that the consultation matrix and related information would be shared with the Committee. Members further stressed the importance of improving regulatory oversight, professionalising the built environment sector, and strengthening accountability for unsafe construction practices and building collapses. Members also expressed concern about the slow pace of the legislative process and the challenges associated with coordinating approvals across different institutions. The Department explained that some delays were due to processes beyond its control, including the need for concurrence from the National Treasury and other structures within the Cabinet system. It indicated that once concurrence had been obtained, the Department intended to expedite the legislative process while ensuring that Parliament had sufficient time to consider the proposed Bills. Members emphasised the importance of prioritising legislation that would promote economic growth, strengthen infrastructure development, and improve governance in the built environment sector. The Department further noted that Infrastructure South Africa plays a key role in preparing infrastructure projects for investment and improving coordination across government institutions. Further discussions focused on strengthening local government capacity, improving contractor regulation, and ensuring that emerging contractors are not disadvantaged by legislative amendments. Members highlighted the need to balance stricter accountability measures with support for small businesses and emerging contractors in the construction sector. The Department stated that the proposed legislative reforms are intended to promote economic growth and job creation while maintaining professional standards and improving oversight in infrastructure development. It also undertook to provide additional written responses to certain questions, including those relating to infrastructure funding mechanisms and the implementation of the Expropriation Act, once the relevant court processes have been finalised. The Committee commended the Department for its preparedness and engagement during the meeting while emphasising the need for improved coordination and the timely submission of documentation to support effective oversight. The Committee also discussed procedural matters relating to the agenda item concerning the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU), noting that the union’s representatives had not been invited to the meeting. Members agreed that the item should be deferred until all relevant parties were present to ensure a fair process. The Committee then proceeded to consider and adopt the oversight report and the minutes of the previous meeting. Concerns were raised about administrative challenges in the Chairperson’s office, particularly delays in the distribution of documents to Members. The Chairperson acknowledged these concerns, apologised to both the Committee and the Department, and undertook to address the matter to ensure that future meetings are better coordinated.