IDT 2024/25 Annual Report; DPWI/PMTE Q1&2 performance; with Minister

2024/25 Annual Reports The Portfolio Committee was presented with the performance reports of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) for the first two quarters of the 2024/25 financial year. The Committee was also briefed on the annual report of the Independent Development Trust (IDT). The Auditor-General briefed the Committee on the IDT's audit outcome. The Committee was told that the IDT obtained a qualified audit and that there was uncertainty about its status as a going concern.  Mr Dean Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, said the Department was coming up with a sustained and credible turnaround plan for the IDT. He emphasised that the DPWI believed in the IDT and that there was an opportunity to expand the work it was doing. With all the challenges and uncertainties around whether salaries would be paid or not, the IDT staff had still produced a confirmed business portfolio of R5.6 billion, an increase from the previous year. The IDT board chairperson highlighted some of the strides made by the IDT, with work valued at R4.2 billion awarded to designated groups. More than 12 000 work opportunities had been created. The IDT achieved 50 percent of the targets set in its annual performance plan. Members raised concerns about the low achievement of targets and the lack of integration of people with disabilities in its programmes. The IDT said it recognised more needed to be done to increase participation of people with disabilities in its contractor development programme and committed to engaging the relevant associations in this regard. Members noted the IDT’s regression in recording a R33 million deficit versus a R1 million deficit in the prior year. The Auditor-General's presentation said there was material uncertainty about the IDT’s status as a going concern. It highlighted an increase in the deficit and an increase in the amounts involved in litigation. The IDT had not received a grant in the current year and was struggling to pay creditors and collect revenue from clients. The Auditor General cautioned that a lack of consequence management at the IDT could lead to a culture of non-performance, wrongdoing and lack of accountability. Among the challenges highlighted in the DPWI’s performance report were a high rate of resignations and a lack of payment from client departments. The Committee resolved to call non-paying departments to appear before it.