Public works minister Dean Macpherson has taken personal charge of the stalled KwaDukuza Home Affairs building project – now nearly three years overdue.

Speaking at a Democratic Alliance public meeting at Umhlali Country Club last week, Macpherson said he recently received a full report about the issue and is now overseeing the process of appointing a new contractor to complete the work.

“It is totally unacceptable that the project has been left unfinished. However, a new contractor will soon be appointed, and work will start again,” he said.

Construction of the R39-million building, on the corner of Gizenga and Hulett Streets in the KwaDukuza CBD, began in February 2021 and was expected to be completed within 24 months. The building is about 70% complete but has been standing idle for two years and seven months, with no clear date for completion or final cost.

Residents of KwaDukuza, Maphumulo, and Mandeni continue to use the old Home Affairs office on the second floor of the Jangnoop Centre in Hulett Street. For years, the community has complained about the poor conditions there, including overcrowding, no toilets, and the long staircase that makes access difficult for the elderly and disabled.

The first contractor blamed endless setbacks, including cash flow problems, intimidation by local business forums, bad weather, civil unrest and design flaws. One major delay came after construction began without approved plans, which stopped electrical work.

Last year, deputy public works minister Sihle Zikalala demanded a full report during a visit under the Siyahlola programme, which checks stalled government projects. At that time, an extra R6-million was already needed to complete the building, pushing the cost beyond the original R39-million.

Yet, a year later, nothing has changed.

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