75 contractors blacklisted in two years, one in the 22 before that
Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson announced 13 more construction companies removed from the cidb register for misrepresenting their grading, taking the total since June 2024 past 75.
Thirteen construction companies have been removed from the Construction Industry Development Board’s National Register of Contractors after findings of misrepresentation in their applications to upgrade their registration grades, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson announced.
The removals follow a resolution by the cidb Board on 15 October 2026, taken under sections 19(1) and 19(2) of the Construction Industry Development Board Act, 2000. Those provisions empower the Board to remove contractors who breach registration conditions, or who obtain grading designations in error because of misrepresentation.
The 13 contractors 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.
The department puts the total removed and blacklisted in the 2.5 years since June 2024 at more than 75, against one between 2002 and June 2024. Macpherson said that earlier figure covers the period up to June 2024, when he took office.
“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.
“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.”
The companies held registration grades across various construction categories, from Grade 1 to Grade 9. The cidb grading system assesses contractors on financial capability and track record, and determines the value and complexity of projects they are qualified to undertake. The department says misrepresentation in that process undermines the integrity of the register, disadvantages legitimate businesses, and risks public infrastructure contracts going to companies without the capacity to deliver.
Scrutiny of Moriel Infrastructure Group drew significant public attention after its director was filmed allegedly threatening a group of women at a restaurant in Johannesburg during September 2026. The Minister had earlier asked the cidb to probe the company’s gradings.
Macpherson said a full audit of all graded construction companies is currently under way. The cidb is adding an audit and verification layer aimed at higher-risk applications and applications for higher grading designations, checking information directly with banks, public sector clients and other institutions rather than relying only on documents applicants submit. Where fraud or forgery is established, the department says matters will be referred to law enforcement where appropriate, alongside administrative action.
The department is also pushing public sector clients to register construction projects with the cidb. Macpherson said poor compliance limits the Board’s ability to keep a reliable record of projects and to verify contractors’ claims independently, and that better compliance would support a verified national database of projects and awards against which contractors’ submissions can be cross-checked.
“Access to public procurement opportunities must be earned through genuine capability and compliance with the rules. It cannot be obtained through fraud, forgery or misrepresentation,” said cidb Board chairperson Khulile Nzo.
“When false information is submitted to secure grading levels that have not been legitimately earned, the integrity of the Register is undermined. This creates risks for infrastructure clients, disadvantages honest contractors and weakens confidence in the procurement system. That is why the cidb acts decisively when wrongdoing is identified.”
The department says it will continue working with the cidb and law enforcement to strengthen oversight and protect the integrity of construction procurement. This report is drawn from the government’s account of the removals, published by SAnews (South African Government News Agency): https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/construction-companies-removed-cidb-register
