The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga has welcomed a decision by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) to act against project managers linked to delays and escalating costs at the troubled Mpumalanga Parliamentary Village.

In a statement issued on 29 April 2026, DA provincial spokesperson for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Teboho Sekaledi, said the committee’s directive marks a critical step towards accountability in public infrastructure projects.

The Mpumalanga Parliamentary Village, first proposed in 2013 to reduce long-term government expenditure, began construction in November 2017 and was initially scheduled for completion in April 2020. However, six years later, the project remains unfinished.

Costs have also ballooned. Originally budgeted at R300 million, the project is now estimated to be nearly R1 billion, raising serious concerns about financial oversight and project management.

SCOPA has instructed the Accounting Officer of the Provincial Department of Public Works to take action against those responsible for inadequate oversight, weak contract enforcement, and failures that contributed to both delays and rising costs.

While welcoming the move, Sekaledi stressed that accountability should not stop at project managers.

“The Executive Authority and Accounting Officers must also take responsibility for the delays and failure to remain within budget,” he said.

If required, the Department of Public Works has threatened to take action against project managers. It blamed numerous issues, including work stoppages, underfunded subcontractors, poor contractor performance, and unfavourable weather, for the delays and cost overruns.

The DA, however, argues that the Parliamentary Village is not an isolated case but part of a broader pattern of stalled or mismanaged projects across the province.

Among the examples cited is the Mkhondo Boarding School, where costs escalated from R200 million to R800 million due to delays. The High-Altitude Training Centre, first planned for the 2012/2013 financial year, has already consumed nearly R300 million with little visible progress.

Other projects highlighted include the Mpumalanga Cultural Hub, conceptualised in 2011 under former premier David Mabuza, which has reportedly absorbed over R200 million without being realised.

The new Middelburg Hospital, initially budgeted at R1.4 billion and due for completion in 2020, has already cost R1.8 billion and remains incomplete. Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market has consumed around R2 billion, yet continues to stand idle.

Sekaledi said these projects have become a burden on taxpayers and called for decisive action from the provincial government.

“At some point, the ANC-led provincial government must decide whether to complete these projects or stop wasting public funds,” he said.

The DA maintains that stronger oversight, consequence management, and transparent governance are urgently needed to restore public trust and ensure that infrastructure projects deliver value for money.