Question NW1063 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
28 October 2019 - NW1063
Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
(1) What (a) is the total number of buildings owned by the State, (b) number of the specified buildings are unoccupied and (c) are the reasons for non occupation; (2) What were the total amounts paid for property rates of (a) occupied and (b) unoccupied buildings in the (i) 2018-19 and (ii) 2019-20 financial years; (3) What is the (a) total number of State buildings that have a maintenance backlog and (b) estimated cost of the maintenance backlog; (4) How long will it take to eradicate the backlog on maintenance; (5) Whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
- (a) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has 81 575 buildings under its custodianship.
(b) 703 of the specified buildings are unoccupied.
(c) In anticipation of future and urgent user requirements, the state cannot allow all its property to be occupied. In addition, state-owned properties under the custodianship of the Department may be earmarked for allocation to other departments or spheres of government for restitution and land reform, human settlements. In cases where there is no immediate need for the properties the department avails identified properties to the public for letting.
2. (a) and (b)
The total amount paid for property rates on occupied and unoccupied buildings –1 April 2018 – 31 March 2019.
|
Year |
Occupied |
Unoccupied |
|
2018 - 19 |
R1 089 178 346 |
R36 597 824 |
The total amount paid for property rates on occupied and unoccupied buildings from 1 April 2019 – 30 September 2019
|
Year |
Occupied |
Unoccupied |
|
2019 - 20 |
R157 171 773 |
R139 783 |
3)
a) The entire population of 81 575 buildings under the custodianship of DPWI have maintenance backlog to varying degrees.
b) The maintenance backlog is estimated at R74 billion and the actual cost could be confirmed once a full conditions assessment of each building is conducted.
4) Due to budget constraints and limited budget allocated for maintenance of national government buildings, various funding partnerships and focused plans would be required to eradicate the backlog on maintenance.
5) DPWI is considering public-private partnerships to assist the department with repair and maintenance.