The Mpumalanga parliamentary village project remains unoccupied 12 years after construction began, despite costs reaching approximately R600 million, with persistent delays and cable theft cited as key factors, according to recent reports published on 20 May 2026 by News24.

Financial Losses And Delays Linked To Cable Theft

According to News24, the project is now commonly referred to as a “ghost town” due to its lack of occupation, while official documents attribute ongoing delays partly to repeated incidents of cable theft and infrastructure vandalism. Although multiple sources referenced a R2.6 million cable theft at the site, this specific figure could not be independently verified as of publication.

Cable theft is reported to have caused widespread damage to public infrastructure across Mpumalanga. In December 2023, Transnet disclosed it had spent over R290 million within 18 months replacing and repairing stolen and vandalised cables across its network. According to Eskom Gauteng’s Safety, Health, Environment, Risk, and Quality Manager, Kith Maitisa, “The theft of cables, overhead lines, transformers and conductors costs Eskom approximately R2 billion per year.”

Ongoing Security Concerns And Calls For Specialised Response

Incidents of cable theft continue to challenge authorities in Mpumalanga. In January 2026, police arrested a Lesotho national for allegedly stealing copper cables valued at R150,000 from a railway line in the province, as reported by IOL. These criminal acts have implications not only for large projects but also for everyday public service delivery and infrastructure.

Speaking to City Press, logistics expert Professor Jan Havenga stated, “We need specialised forces to work with this, and we do not have that in South Africa,” highlighting concerns about the current lack of capacity to address organised infrastructure theft. The failure to secure major investments, such as the parliamentary village, has raised wider questions about public sector accountability and the protection of state assets.

Project officials have not confirmed a date for occupation of the parliamentary village, and further updates are expected as security and remedial work continue.