Johannesburg – Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has suspended Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) transfers to Matjhabeng Local Municipality.
The minister introduced the transfer on Sunday, 27 July 2025, amid studies that politically related people in Matjhabeng Local Municipality have been receiving inflated EPWP salaries.
In a press release made obtainable to The Bulrushes, the division stated Minister Macpherson expressed deep concern over the allegations revealed in a City Press investigation, which reported that the EPWP payroll continues to fund inflated salaries for former councillors and sitting political workplace bearers.
“These people reportedly earn over R31 000 per thirty days – greater than 10 occasions the common EPWP stipend – thereby undermining the very rules of the programme,” stated the assertion.
The EPWP was established to offer short-term, skills-based work alternatives to unemployed South Africans, not as a car for political patronage.
The assertion stated Minister Macpherson has due to this fact instructed the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure to droop any EPWP transfers to the municipality pending a full investigation.
“The EPWP is an important lifeline for a lot of in communities throughout the nation, together with in Matjhabeng, and it will due to this fact be wholly unacceptable if any politician or official is discovered to have used the programme for private profit,” Minister Macpherson stated.
“‘We merely can not flip a blind eye when critical allegations of abuse are raised, which is why I’ve instructed the Department to droop EPWP fund transfers till a proper investigation will be accomplished.”
Minister Macpherson added that the allegations additional reinforce his view that the EPWP have to be reformed to get rid of any chance of abuse and make sure that supposed beneficiaries totally profit from the programme, free from political interference.
“Through the EPWP Listening Tour carried out nationwide, we’ve got heard a number of critical allegations of abuse, resembling these in Matjhabeng, and it’s due to this fact important that the programme be strengthened to get rid of any chance of corruption and political patronage,” the minister stated.
“After 20 years, we’re dedicated to reforming the EPWP to make sure it stays a viable platform for empowerment properly into the long run, as we work to construct a greater South Africa.”
