Question NW1096 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Share this page:

05 December 2019 - NW1096

Profile picture: Brink, Mr C

Brink, Mr C to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Whether she has been informed of the poor state of maintenance of the properties and infrastructure in the Thaba Tshwane military base in Centurion; (2) whether any plans have been put in place to address the poor state of maintenance of the properties and infrastructure in the specified base; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is well informed of the poor condition of facilities in the Thaba Tshwane military base in Centurion, which is a serious matter of concern to her. Cognisance must be taken that Thaba Tshwane was built on dolomite land, and with virtually no upgrade or renovations during the last two decades due to predominantly a lack of funds and a huge backlog of maintenance and repair, poses serious structural maintenance problems for both the Department of Defence (DOD) and Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).

Buildings and land that the units occupy are managed and maintained by the DPWI, who is the custodian of state land and facilities and therefore responsible for the maintenance and repair of these facilities, however, partly the DOD is responsible for the failure to address poor maintenance of own properties and infrastructure, by not taking the initiative to repair its facilities on realising that DPWI is failing in its mandate. Repairs and renovations of sewer, storm water and roads, as well as sinkholes are in process to take place. A Facility Strategic Plan has been compiled with the Thaba Tshwane military area as one of the first priorities to be addressed. The Defence Works Formation is in the process to capacitate itself to be able to execute maintenance and repair work.

Source file