The City of Johannesburg’s Engineering Centre of Excellence is gearing for significant change from Tuesday, 1 April 2025 and that’s no joke.
A new regulation requires all public sector engineers to register with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). This ensures that only registered professionals can conduct or approve engineering work, safeguarding the quality and safety of public infrastructure.
The centre plays a pivotal role in overseeing engineering practices across the City. It operates under the City Manager’s Office and reports directly to the Chief Operations Officer (COO). Its primary focus is on maintaining high professional and regulatory standards, particularly for citywide capital projects. While the centre does not directly manage tasks like bridge construction or road repairs, it provides essential guidance and compliance support to engineers and project teams.
Moeketsi Mohlabi leads the centre, and it comprises three key divisions:
- Engineering Knowledge Hub, headed by Devesh Mothilall,
- Professional Development and Oversight of Engineers, led by Kwena Maphoto, and
- Project and Contract Monitoring and Evaluation, managed by Chuma Dlepu.
To assist municipal engineers, technologists, and technicians meet registration requirements, the centre offers mentorship, skills training, and compliance guidance.
Mohlabi stresses the urgency of the registration process as unregistered personnel will be barred from working on engineering projects, potentially disrupting essential municipal work and service delivery.
Mohlabi says the Identification of Engineering Work is a regulatory framework established under the Engineering Profession Act. It defines the types of engineering work that must be performed by registered engineers or under their direct supervision. This framework ensures public safety and the delivery of high-quality infrastructure.
The framework outlines compliance requirements across various engineering disciplines, including structural, electrical, and mechanical fields. It mandates that registered engineers supervise and approve projects, maintain proper documentation, and adhere to reporting standards to demonstrate compliance with council regulations.
To comply with the framework, engineers must:
- Register with the Engineering Council of SA,
- Hold the necessary qualifications and experience,
- Supervise any work done by unregistered personnel,
- Maintain detailed records to prove compliance, and
- Uphold the ethical standards outlined in the council’s code of conduct.
Mohlabi warns that failing to adhere to these regulations can have serious repercussions, including:
- Disciplinary action by the council,
- Legal consequences arising from substandard work,
- Damage to an engineer’s professional reputation, and
- Project delays and additional costs due to redoing non-compliant work.
For engineers who fall short of the requirements, the centre recommends several corrective steps:
- Undertake additional training to address knowledge gaps,
- Submit plans to rectify non-compliant work,
- Reapply for registration after demonstrating improved competence,
- Seek guidance from registered professionals, and
- Pay any applicable fines.
“The City’s Engineering Centre of Excellence is committed to achieving full compliance with ECSA registration before the April 2025 deadline.”
By prioritising professionalism and compliance, the centre aims to safeguard the integrity of Johannesburg’s engineering projects and ensure the delivery of world-class infrastructure for its residents.
“Our focus remains on continuous professional development, securing training funding, and embracing technological advancements in engineering. This will ensure that our City’s projects remain on track and meet the highest standards of safety and quality,” he adds.
Written by Tinyiko Barbara Ngobeni