The headquarters of the Western Cape Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in Bellville has been prioritised after an assessment by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure highlighted the need for major repairs and refurbishment.
The department, through the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE), was in the process of refurbishing it and sourcing funds from the National Treasury.
This week, Minister Dean Macpherson revealed this when he was responding to parliamentary questions from ActionSA MP Malebo Kobe, who enquired whether the building has been formally declared a dangerous building, unfit for human habitation, and/or otherwise condemned.
Kobe had wanted to know the period the building had been in a state of disrepair and/or official non-compliance with applicable building and safety standards, as well as the reasons that no remedial action had been taken to address the condition of the building.
In 2016, it was reported that not only was the building in danger of collapsing, but apparently anyone can enter and walk around unchecked.
Macpherson said the building has not yet been formally declared a dangerous building, unfit for human habitation, and/or condemned.
He, however, said the PMTE conducted a comprehensive facility condition assessment.
“The report was received in April 2026. The report highlighted a need for major repairs and refurbishment. As a result of the report, the process is under way to register a project, which will proceed once the required funding has been secured,” he said.
According to Macpherson, the building has been in a state of progressive deterioration for several years.
“The department, through the PMTE, does not have a precise date of onset, but the condition has worsened over time due to ageing infrastructure and a lack of sustained maintenance funding.”
Macpherson blamed the delay in remedial action on the significant maintenance backlog, coupled with a constrained fiscal environment that limits available resources.
“The department, through the PMTE, also experienced internal capacity constraints, which delayed the completion of the condition assessment. Now that the assessment is finalised, the process to register a refurbishment project and identify the necessary budget has commenced.”
He said that since the condition assessment had been completed, the department was currently registering the refurbishment project as a priority.
“Once the project is registered, engagements with the National Treasury to secure the required funding will begin.”
Macpherson stated that the project registration was expected to be completed within the 2026/27 financial year.
“However, the commencement of physical remedial work is contingent on the allocation of funding from the National Treasury, which will be pursued as a matter of urgency. Should funding be secured, necessary procurement and the appointment of a contractor will commence.”
The minister said what transpired at the building was not acceptable at all.
“The PMTE is entrusted with managing one of South Africa’s most significant public asset portfolios, yet it has shown little ability to fulfil its responsibilities at the scale, speed, or level of discipline required to overhaul the nation’s assets effectively.
“We clearly see this with the Auditor-General’s findings on Telkom Towers, underscoring the real consequences of poor asset management within the PMTE and highlighting systemic weaknesses that cannot be ignored.”
He also said while the entity faced substantial budget constraints imposed by client departments, its organisational structure was not optimised for its mandate.
“Persistent inefficiencies, compounded by entrenched vested interests resisting reform, which is now well documented, continue to undermine efforts to drive meaningful change.
“Fundamental changes are thus required to remedy this situation and despite the opportunities provided to the PMTE over the last 12 months, it is clear that it will not be able to deliver this administration’s priorities to unlock the potential of our assets.”
Macpherson further said the decline in state buildings pointed to the need to establish the South African National Property Company.
Mayibongwe Maqhina
iol.co.za