Public Works official quits job amid probe into irregular leases and maintenance contracts

CAPE TOWN - A senior Public Works official has quit her job amid a probe into dodgy leases and maintenance contracts. 

The department made the announcement on Friday, stating that it won’t be deterred in getting to the root of the rot in one of the government’s most complex portfolios. 

Minister Dean Macpherson said the Deputy Director General of Real Estate Management Services resigned after being asked to respond to several allegations pending possible suspension. 

The real estate services division of the Public Works Department manages a multi-billion-rand property portfolio and has faced numerous allegations of mismanagement. 

These include the billion-rand purchase of the Telkom towers in Pretoria, which was supposed to become the new police headquarters but instead stands derelict. 

Minister Macpherson said the Deputy Director General as well as the chief director responsible for managing the real estate portfolio, were sent multiple letters to respond to mismanagement allegations, while they remained in office. 

He added that all but the last letter was responded to by the DD,G who instead has chosen to resign. 

Macpherson wants the special investigating unit to motivate for a presidential proclamation to investigate irregular leases with private landlords, as well as payment irregularities, in respect of emergency day-to-day maintenance of facilities. 

Nevertheless, he said the investigations into the department’s real estate management portfolio will continue. 

"The Director-General, Mr. Sifiso Mdakane, and I are committed to upholding good governance, protecting public resources, and ensuring our property portfolio is used for the benefit of all South Africans. This is how we will turn South Africa into a construction site, grow the economy, and create jobs,” said Macpherson.