Mamelodi Magistrate's Court construction resumes after 10-year delay

PRETORIA - Construction of the Mamelodi Magistrate's Court has resumed after years of delays that left the facility incomplete and unable to serve the community.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and Deputy Chief Justice Dustin Mlambo conducted an oversight visit to the construction site on Thursday, following the appointment of a new contractor.

The project, which has been delayed for nearly a decade, is now expected to be completed by October 2028.

According to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, planning for the project began in 2007, with the original construction contract awarded in 2013. The facility was initially expected to be completed in 2016.

However, progress was repeatedly disrupted by poor contractor performance and alleged construction mafia-related stoppages.

The department terminated the original contract in October 2023, when approximately 60% of the construction work had been completed.

A new contractor was appointed, allowing construction to resume on 7 October 2026. The new contract is valued at R241.26 million, including VAT, with a 24-month construction period.

The department said it has taken direct control of the project to strengthen oversight, monitor progress and identify potential challenges before they cause further delays.

It has also introduced an Integrated Social Facilitation Framework aimed at improving engagement with local communities and preventing disruptions linked to disputes over employment and subcontracting opportunities.

Macpherson said the project forms part of broader efforts to address stalled public infrastructure projects and strengthen accountability within the department.

He said the priority is to ensure the facility is completed on time and within budget so that it can serve the community.

The minister also confirmed that the department is pursuing legal steps to quantify and recover losses associated with the previous contractor's failure, where appropriate.

The Mamelodi Magistrate's Court is expected to improve access to justice once completed, bringing the long-delayed infrastructure project closer to serving its intended purpose.