Macpherson blacklists 13 more construction companies, bringing total to 75

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has announced that 13 more construction companies have been removed from the Construction Industry Development Board’s (cidb) National Register of Contractors following findings of misrepresentation in applications to upgrade their registration grades.

The latest removals bring the number of contractors removed from the register since June 2024 to more than 75, compared with one contractor blacklisted between 2002 and June 2024, according to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.

The decision was taken by the cidb Board on October 15, 2026, in terms of sections 19(1) and 19(2) of the Construction Industry Development Board Act of 2000. These provisions allow the board to remove contractors who breach registration conditions or obtain grading designations through misrepresentation.

The 13 companies removed are RTZ Construction and Projects, Shumani Development, Magagamela Trade and Projects, Exxeding Grace, Yem Yem Projects and Plant Hire, BBM Khanye Holdings, Lethabo Africa Engineering, TMR Industrial Solutions, Moriel Infrastructure Group (Pty) Ltd, Salinkata Trading (Pty) Ltd, King Tar Construction, Batho Vanhu Construction and Ithembalenkosi (Pty) Ltd.

Moriel Infrastructure Group attracted public attention in September 2026 after its director was filmed allegedly threatening a group of women at a restaurant in Johannesburg.

The companies held registration grades across various construction categories, ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 9.

The cidb grading system assesses contractors according to their financial capability and track record, helping determine the value and complexity of construction projects they are qualified to undertake.

The department said misrepresentation undermines the integrity of the register, disadvantages legitimate businesses and creates risks when public infrastructure contracts are awarded to companies that may not have the capacity to deliver.

As part of efforts to strengthen accountability, the cidb is introducing additional audit and verification measures, particularly for higher-risk applications and requests for higher grading designations.

The measures include verifying information directly with banks, public sector clients and other relevant institutions instead of relying solely on documents submitted by applicants.

Where fraud or forgery is established, cases may be referred to law enforcement authorities, alongside administrative action.

The department is also seeking stricter enforcement of public sector clients’ obligations to register construction projects with the cidb. According to the department, poor compliance limits the board’s ability to maintain reliable project records and independently verify contractors’ claims.

Improved compliance is expected to support the development of a verified national database of construction projects and awards, allowing information submitted by contractors to be cross-checked against independently recorded data.

Macpherson said the latest removals reflected a change in the government’s approach to accountability in the construction industry.

“Since taking office in June 2024, we have made it clear that the days of allowing contractors to misrepresent their capabilities and do business with the state without facing consequences must come to an end,” he said.

He added that a full audit of all graded construction companies was under way.

“These actions are about more than removing contractors from a register. They are about protecting public money, ensuring that companies entrusted with public infrastructure have the capabilities they claim to possess, and creating a fair environment in which honest businesses that comply with the rules and deliver quality work can compete,” Macpherson said.

Cidb board chairperson Khulile Nzo said access to public procurement opportunities should be based on genuine capability and compliance with registration requirements.

He said submitting false information to obtain higher grading levels undermined the register, exposed infrastructure clients to risks and disadvantaged legitimate contractors.

The department said it would continue working with the cidb and relevant law enforcement authorities to strengthen oversight, improve compliance and protect the integrity of the state’s construction procurement system.

It added that these measures were intended to ensure public infrastructure investment supported service delivery, economic growth and job creation.