The Department of Public Works assures the country that it is committed to honouring its Constitutional mandate of providing accommodation to government, including members of the Executive. This is done in line with the expectation of tightly-controlled costs and efficiency.
The Department has a duty to provide habitable accommodation to members of the Executive and to maintain and renovate these houses as and when needed. Some of the houses, which form part of the State’s property portfolio, are heritage houses and are expensive to renovate because of heritage rules and regulations which are enforced by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) in terms of the national resources act (Act 25 of 1999). Some of the materials to restore heritage houses to their original state need to be imported from overseas, with high cost implication.
In this current financial year 2014-15, the Department has budgeted R39,7 million for maintenance and renovations to 26 Ministerial residences, both in Cape Town and Pretoria. The work being undertaken includes major and minor refurbishments, electrical works, painting and correcting structural defects.
The Department is continuing its fight against maladministration, tender irregularities, price inflation and other irregularities in respect of certain State-owned accommodation in the Prestige Portfolio located in both Pretoria and Cape Town. After the completion of an investigation of seven houses in Pretoria, the Director of Prestige in the Pretoria Regional Office was charged, found guilty and dismissed whilst other parties are also being charged for maladministration.
In Cape Town, 17 Ministerial houses are currently under investigation by the SIU in terms of Proclamation 54/2014 which was gazetted on 1 August 2014 (GG No. 10243). The investigation covers the period 2008 up to August this year. The investigation is looking at possible tender irregularities in the appointment of service providers, inflation of bills of quantities and non-delivery relating to payment claims by contractors.
The measures undertaken prove that as Department of Public Works, we will not tolerate corruption, no stone will be left unturned as we seek to restore the good name of the Department of Public Works and provide an excellent service that is expected of us.
Enquiries
Thami Mchunu
Tel: 012 406 1841
Cell: 079 519 6997
