Mamelodi court sits half-built since 2013, now R241 million to finish by 2028
Public Works has taken direct control of the stalled Mamelodi Magistrate's Court after terminating the original contract in 2023 with about 60% of the work done.
Work has restarted on the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court in Pretoria, a project first planned in 2007 and still unfinished, with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure now aiming to hand it over in October 2028.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and Deputy Chief Justice Dustin Mlambo visited the site on Thursday, as construction resumed following delays that left the facility incomplete and unable to serve its intended purpose.
Planning for the court began in 2007. The original construction contract was awarded in 2013, with completion initially expected in 2016. Stoppages led by the construction mafia and poor contractor performance saw the department terminate that contract in October 2023, when roughly 60% of the work had been completed.
Construction resumed on 7 October 2026 after a new contractor was appointed. The new contract is valued at R241.26 million including VAT and allows for a 24-month construction period, with completion scheduled for October 2028.
To prevent a repeat of the earlier delays, the department has placed the project under its direct management, with its own architect serving as principal agent while a replacement architect is procured. The arrangement is intended to tighten monitoring of progress, flag risks early, clear technical and administrative obstacles and hold the contractor to its contractual obligations.
The department says it is also applying lessons from the previous contract through stronger community engagement. Under its newly launched Integrated Social Facilitation Framework, it is working to engage communities before concerns escalate into disputes that could disrupt construction, and to communicate transparently on local employment and subcontracting opportunities.
Macpherson said the project reflects a broader effort to change how the department manages public infrastructure, with more emphasis on accountability, proactive project management and bringing stalled projects back on track.
“I appreciated the support of the Deputy Chief Justice today as the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court demonstrates why we cannot allow critical public infrastructure to remain unfinished for years while communities wait for the services they need,” he said.
“Our focus is now on holding the contractor accountable, addressing challenges early and ensuring that this facility is delivered on time and within budget. Justice Mlambo and I will ensure personal oversight of this project to guarantee completion.”
The department says it is also pursuing the legal steps needed to quantify and recover losses linked to the previous contract, where appropriate.
This report is based on the account published by SAnews (South African Government News Agency) at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/work-mamelodi-magistrates-court-construction-resumes.
