Tension between Public Works minister Macpherson and his deputy Zikalala on full display

CAPE TOWN - The frosty working relationship between Public Works minister Dean Macpherson and his deputy Sihle Zikalala has once again been exposed in public.  

It's left Members of Parliament(MPs)'s portfolio committee less than unimpressed as the pair on Wednesday appeared to speak at cross purposes over the performance of their department.  

While Macpherson sought to highlight progress in key areas of his portfolio, Zikalala appeared to suggest the department has regressed since Macpherson took over from him.  

READ: Macpherson blocked from providing full overview of his department's performance due to time constraints

It's an open secret that former Public Works minister Sihle Zikalala has felt slighted by losing his ministerial job through the formation of a Government of National Unity, to a Democratic Alliance (DA) member with less public service experience and qualifications than him.  
 
He told parliament’s portfolio committee, performance indicators had in fact slipped in quarters two and three and he's not been consulted on how to address problems in the department.  

"I think we must not underreport, or sugarcoat. I think the performance is a problem. There are things that are very worrisome at a strategic level."

Macpherson ignored Zikalala's comments when his turn came to answer MPs' questions.  

"Our spending is absolutely spot on at 74 percent. We would then spend the balance of the budget in the fourth quarter."  
 
Berated by the committee for the contradictions, Macpherson said he stood by the report and did not want to be undiplomatic towards his deputy in public.  

He said it was not for the committee to concern itself with their fractious relationship.