James de Villiers

Ministry of Public Works & Infrastructure Spokesperson | Strategic Communications & Public Affairs

[James de Villiers @pejames]

Today marks my final day as the spokesperson to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure 🏗️

Two years ago, I stood at a crossroads in my career, not knowing where to go - and Minister @DeanMacpherson dared to believe in me and gave me a chance when many others wouldn’t. He fought for me when many others wouldn’t.

To him and the entire Ministry team, I will forever be grateful for the immense privilege to serve in one of the highest offices in the land and truly help to build a better South Africa. I have no doubt that the department - once infamous for the Nkandla scandal - is stronger today than what we found it in, and know that the Minister will resolutely continue his reform agenda. This is just the beginning.

And to my colleagues in the Department, while many citizens outside government have been disillusioned by the public service, being on the inside, I have been immensely inspired by the countless of ordinary individuals who - despite all the odds being against them - continue to serve their country to the best of their abilities. You are too many to be named, but you are the unsung heroes and patriots who keep our country moving forward, and I’ll continue to honour your impact and legacy wherever I may go.

To Minister Macpherson, thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime. I vow not to let you nor team Public Works and Infrastructure down, but look forward to following your example to build a better country: not for ourselves - but for our fellow South African. Better days are truly ahead.

Finally, to God be the glory. This experience has taught me just once again that, despite the trials and tribulations, God is immensely good and His timing so perfect - never doubt that 🙌

[Times LIVE @TimesLIVE]

Senior officials in the department of public works & infrastructure, aided by government spies, are said to have put their minister and director-general (DG) under surveillance as part of a pushback against their clampdown on corruption. https://t.co/PxzSJj8vYD

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

🚨 BREAKING

The construction sector created a further 35,000 jobs in Q4, following 130,000 jobs in Q3.

That makes construction the second biggest job creator in South Africa in the fourth quarter. 🏗️

After years of decline, the sector is showing sustained recovery - and growing confidence in reform and infrastructure delivery.

More cranes in the sky. More shovels in the ground. More South Africans at work.

#LetsBuildSA 💙🇿🇦

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

#SONA26 A new Property Investment Vehicle will unlock the full value of our 88,000-property portfolio - helping to turn dormant state property assets into sites of investment and development. This will bring to an end dilapidated buildings across our country.

We therefore welcome the President’s support. This reform will be critical in driving growth, creating jobs, and putting public assets to work for South Africans. #LetsBuildSA 💙🇿🇦

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

Cleared! ✅

The Public Protector has dismissed the EFF’s complaint against me and found no breach of the Ethics Code.

The findings confirm that attempts by the EFF and ActionSA to remove me from office would have undermined ongoing investigations and reforms at the IDT.

Accountability will continue without fear or favour. #LetsBuildSA 🇿🇦

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

🚧 The construction sector is back to building South Africa!

According to the latest @StatsSA Quarterly Labour Force Survey, 50% of all new jobs created in the third quarter came from the construction sector - over 130,000 new opportunities for South Africans.

We’re cooking with gas! 🔥🔥🔥

#LetsBuildSA 💙🇿🇦

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

Today, I convened a special meeting of all MECs for Public Works and Infrastructure to adopt a Recovery Plan for Underperforming Construction Projects.

For too long, stalled and neglected projects have slowed service delivery and undermined public confidence. This plan is about fixing what’s broken - enforcing accountability, blacklisting non-performing contractors, and getting infrastructure delivery back on track to support our economy.

Join me tomorrow at 14:00 in Cape Town as I present this plan to the public.

#LetsBuildSA 💙🇿🇦

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

Historic Cooperation Agreement! 🇿🇦🤝🇬🇧

Yesterday in London, I signed a landmark MoU with the UK Government to strengthen cooperation on infrastructure delivery.

Through this partnership, the UK will provide capacity support worth nearly R10 million to our Special and Strategic Delivery Unit (SSDU) to help us:
🏗️ Accelerate delivery through the SSDU (Project Capstone)
🏢 Improve public asset management (Project Speed)
🏙️ Support municipalities via ISA’s Adopt-a-Municipality

Together, we’re using public assets for public good - and turning South Africa into a construction site.

#SAinUK
#LetsBuildSA 💙

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

📢 [MEDIA BRIEFING]
This afternoon at 14h30, I will release the final PwC forensic report into the IDT’s R800 million PSA Oxygen Plant tender.

When I took office, I committed to rooting out corruption and restoring good governance across all entities under the Department. Today’s release is a key step in honouring that commitment.

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

As we reflect on one year in office, we also reflect on the work done to fight criminality in the construction sector. 🛠️🚔

We kept our promise and hosted the inaugural Construction Summit, where a landmark agreement with the South African Police Service was signed. Within months of implementation, fewer construction stoppages have already been reported. ✅

Furthermore, we are holding underperforming contractors accountable, with the Construction Industry Development Board having already deregistered 15 contractors in the past year. By contrast, from 2002 until 2024, only one contractor had been delisted by the Department. ⚖️

We are working tirelessly to build a better Department, in order to build a better South Africa. #LetsBuildSA 💙🇿🇦

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

Promises Made, Promises Kept ✅

When I entered office a year ago, I promised to use previously unutilised public assets for the public good.

Today, we made good on that promise by handing over property in the Nkandla Local Municipality 🏘️ to be used for the development of a shopping centre which will create jobs for the local community 👷🏾‍♀️👷🏽‍♂️

The days of public property standing empty are coming to an end! #LetsBuildSA 🇿🇦 💙

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

In my July newsletter, I reflected on the progress we have made in the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure in the one year since I took office.

✅ We have concluded our ghost employee audit, ensuring that no individual unduly benefits from the department.

🛠️ We launched the next leg of our EPWP Listening Tour, reforming the programme to serve as a hand up towards permanent employment.

🧱 We released our draft Integrated Social Facilitation Framework in a bid to tackle the so-called “construction mafia”.

🧑🏽‍💼 We appointed a permanent board to the IDT, bringing much-needed stability to the agency.

I look forward to unpacking some of this progress and sharing our plans for the year ahead during my Budget Vote next week. Together, we are building a better South Africa. #LetsBuildSA 💙🇿🇦

[James de Villiers @pejames]

[MEDIA STATEMENT] MINISTER MACPHERSON ENCOURAGES ADVISORY PANEL TO ADDRESS DELAYED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, ASSET MANAGEMENT AT INAUGURAL MEETING

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

With this week marking one year in office, we are shifting into a higher gear at the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure. 🚀

📅 On Tuesday, we will brief the Select Committee on Public Infrastructure on the Department’s Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan.

🏗️ On Wednesday morning, we will host the inaugural meeting of our Advisory Panel on Public Asset Management and Infrastructure Development in Sandton, Johannesburg.

🤝 And on Friday, we will convene a meeting of all senior departmental managers, also known as MINTOP, as we continue to push forward on delivery.

We are working tirelessly to build a better South Africa. #LetsBuildSA 💙🇿🇦

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

[Statement] I welcome the appointment of the new Independent Development Trust (IDT) board by Cabinet, whose new term begins on 5 July 2025.

The board’s appointment brings to an end a period of instability at the IDT, which has seen several leadership changes and serious allegations of levelled against the entity.

[Dean Macpherson MP @DeanMacpherson]

This week, I participated in and delivered remarks at the BRICS Urbanisation Forum in Brazil focusing on gearing public assets for sustainable urban development, and infrastructure financing to ensure that projects are turned into reality.

I also held important bilateral’s with Brazil and Indonesia on how we can can partner with them as leaders in these fields.

As the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure, we are committed to using infrastructure investment to grow the economy, create jobs, and build cities that are climate-resilient.

#LetsBuildSA 🇿🇦
#BRICS2025 🇧🇷

[Noxolo Miya @LeighKnokC]

Public Works Minister @DeanMacpherson visited Umhlanga Satellite Police Station following growing concerns about the deteriorating state of the facility earlier today.

[James de Villiers @pejames]

[MEDIA ADVISORY] MINISTER MACPHERSON TO HAND OVER PROPERTIES FOR GBV SHELTERS & HOST INFRASTRUCTURE IMBIZO

[James de Villiers @pejames]

[MEDIA ADVISORY] MINISTER MACPHERSON TO ATTEND AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION NAMPO
IN BOTHAVILLE, FREE STATE