Build One South Africa (BOSA) has accused DA Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, of failing to provide clear answers regarding the delay in Parliament’s rebuild.

The National Assembly’s building in Plein Street was severely damaged , following a devastating fire on 2 January 2022. The blaze ripped through the 138-year-old parliament complex for three days before it was extinguished.

BOSA said South Africans are desperately waiting to hear when the rebuild will be completed and how much this will cost them as taxpayers.

“In a written reply to a question from BOSA Leader, Mmusi Maimane, the Minister has effectively washed his hands of the delays, passing the buck entirely to Parliament and the DBSA. Instead of leading from the front, Minister Macpherson has taken the passive route of letter-writing and sidestepping, abdicating responsibility while citizens are left in the dark about progress, timelines, and costs. His statement makes it clear: there has been no accountability, no urgency, and no transparency,” said BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomons.

Macpherson has responded to the claims and maintains that he cannot take accountability, as the project was handed over to Parliament before he took office. He has also accused BOSA leader Maimane of mud-slinging for political points.

“As Mr Maimane is aware, the process to reconstruct the National Assembly Building was
handed over to Parliament in 2022 by the former Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure,
Patricia de Lille, who proceeded to appoint the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to undertake the reconstruction. Therefore, while the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure (DPWI) remains the owner of the property, it is not involved in any manner in the reconstruction process or its expenditure. Despite efforts to obtain reports from the DBSA following a visit to the precinct last year, the Minister’s office was only provided with one report. Thereafter, the DBSA advised that they are not accountable to the DPWI but rather to the Speaker of the National Assembly.”

He says Maimane should have consulted with the Speaker of the National Assembly and the DBSA.

“Mr Maimane has shown his complete lack of understanding with regards to this matter and seems preoccupied with trying to score cheap political points which is rather concerning,” said Macpherson.