Macpherson says DPWI working with SIU to conduct lifestyle audits for senior management

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson said his department is working closely with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to clamp down on corruption, which includes lifestyle audits for senior management.

A second phase of audits, which began in March, intends to cover 400 officials, mostly those who work with tenders and projects, and should be completed in the next two years.

Briefing the media at Parliament on Thursday about progress made in his department over the last year, Macpherson said officials who have refused to cooperate can expect to face consequences.

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Macpherson expects the first report on the latest round of audits to be handed to him later in December.

“While most officials have complied, a small number have either delayed submissions or failed to cooperate, and the department will now act on non-compliance once the SIU findings are complete.”

The director general of the department, Sifiso Mdakane, has confirmed that he is among 48 executives who have already undergone lifestyle audits in the first round.

“This particular aspect is very costly; however, it’s something we need to ensure is done.”

At the same time, the department is also looking to weed out ghost employees.

Physical verifications have been carried out at the head office and in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Gqeberha and Mthatha.

An official in its head office who received R340,000 between April and August without rendering a service to the department has been suspended, and criminal action is looming.

The final audit across all regions is due to be completed by the end of March 2026.