Matjhabeng: The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has instructed his department to immediately halt all Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) transfers for the Matjhabeng Local Municipality as allegations of the abuse of payroll by politically connected individuals has surfaced.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister has expressed deep concern over the allegations published in a City Press investigation that reported that the Matjhabeng Local Municipality’s EPWP payroll continues to fund inflated salaries for former councillors and sitting political office bearers.
These individuals reportedly earn over R31 000 per month, more than ten times the average EPWP stipend, thereby undermining the very principles of the programme.
The Minister explained that the EPWP was established to provide short-term, skills-based work opportunities to unemployed South Africans, not as a vehicle for political patronage. He has since instructed the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to suspend any EPWP transfers to the municipality, pending a full investigation.
The EPWP is considered an essential lifeline for many in communities across the country, including in Matjhabeng. It would be wholly unacceptable if any politician or official is found to have used the programme for personal benefit. The Minister emphasized the importance of addressing serious allegations of abuse, which prompted his decision to suspend EPWP fund transfers until a formal investigation can be completed.
The Minister added that the allegations reinforce his view that the EPWP must be reformed to eliminate any possibility of abuse and ensure that intended beneficiaries fully benefit from the programme, free from political interference. Through the EPWP Listening Tour conducted nationwide, several serious allegations of abuse have been heard, making it critical that the programme be strengthened to eliminate any possibility of corruption and political patronage.
After 20 years, the commitment to reforming the EPWP aims to ensure it remains a viable platform for empowerment well into the future, as efforts continue to build a better South Africa.