Question NW1640 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
02 December 2019 - NW1640
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1) In view of the 460 vacancies that reportedly exist in the Property Management Trading Entity, what (a) is the impact on the ability of the entity to deliver on its mandate and (b) number of the specified positions are funded in the current financial year, (2) what (a) number of the specified positions are deemed critical, (b) measures are put in place to fill the critical positions and (c) are the time frames for filling the positions? NW2997E
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. (a) The the impact was softened by the pool of contract appointments made in critical areas like project construction, facilities management, and property management focusing on the leasing portfolio, amongst others. The Department had also ring-fenced approximately R200 million for identified priority positions to fill. Various factors delayed the finalisation of the filling of these positions including but the department has been granted approval to steam ahead and process these positions including the reconfiguration of DPWI.
(b) The number of the specified positions that are funded in the current financial year and staff establishment is 4 962. Permanent positions are 4 296 and contract positions are 666. The 460 vacancies are funded.
2. (a) The identified 268 posts are deemed critical covering various areas across the Property Management Trading Entity
(b) Approval has been granted for the Department to fill and conclude the process of filling of these positions by the end of the Financial Year 2019/20. A recruitment plan has been concluded to guide the process of filling. The huge pool of contract appointments against existing vacancies remains a challenge.
(c) Yes, there are timeframes as indicated in the response in 2(b) above that the process of filling of these priority positions is guided by the recruitment plan and will be concluded by the 31 March 2020.