Question NW356 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
19 March 2020 - NW356
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
What (a) is the total number of (i) residential properties, (ii) business erven, (iii) government buildings and (iv) agricultural properties that are owned by her department in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality that are (aa) vacant, (bb) occupied and (cc) earmarked for disposal and (b) amount does her department owe the municipality in outstanding rates and services?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
a) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has informed me that the total number of properties owned by the Department in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality per category are as follows:
(i) Residential properties (1160)
(ii) Business erven (0)
(iii) Government buildings (1247)
(iv) Agricultural properties (5)
aa) Vacant (58)
bb) Occupied (2354)
cc) There are fifteen (15) properties earmarked for disposal for human settlements and one (1) property for restitution purposes within eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.
b) DPWI owes the Municipality a total amount of R25 335 927,20, of which R23 387 788,12 relates to 293 properties. R338 139,07 is the current (less than 30 days) that is owed to the Municipality. The Department has disputed debt of R1 610 000,00 on one of the accounts with Municipality, and the Municipality is still investigating the dispute. DPWI informed me the confirmed amount will be settled as soon as the investigation has been concluded and both the Department and Municipality have agreed on the rate to be levied.