Government blacklists 52 construction companies for poor performance

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has revealed that the government has now blacklisted 52 companies across the country over poor performance.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the minister said the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has barred 12 of these contractors since the start of 2026 alone.

"The Construction Industry Development Board has blacklisted a further 12 contractors since the start of 2026 for non-performance. This brings the total to 52 contractors who have been barred from doing business with the State," Macpherson said.

Macpherson said that between 2002 and 2024, only two contractors were blacklisted, calling the new action a sign that the government is serious about improving the quality of public infrastructure projects.

"Between 2002 and 2024, only 2 contractors were blacklisted. That era of inaction is over" he said.

Earlier this year, IOL reported that Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana had revealed that hundreds of companies that were flagged for blacklisting by the government are still under review, with only 18 formally restricted so far. This comes as the government looks to crack down on corruption, fraud, and non-performance in public procurement.

"These companies were either restricted or referred back (as per the attached list on question 1 above) due to non-compliance with legislative requirements such as the Instruction Notes, General Conditions of Contract, and Preferential Procurement Regulations. However, several organs of state have yet to submit their request for restrictions to the National Treasury". Godongwana said

At the time, Macpherson had also revealed that 40 contractors had been blacklisted since June 2024, compared with just one over the previous 22 years.

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mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za

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