Question NW880 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
08 June 2020 - NW880
Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)Whether her Department will offer any form of Covid-19 financial or other relief to small businesses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the Covid-19 financial or other relief will only be allocated to qualifying small businesses according to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, Act 53 of 2003, as amended; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what statutory grounds and/or provisions does she or her Department rely to allocate Covid-19 financial or other relief only to small businesses according to the specified Act and (b) what form of Covid-19 financial or other relief, if any, will be made available to other small businesses?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) will not be offering any form of Covid-19 or any other relief to small businesses, as no funding is allocated for such purpose.
2. The Department will not allocate Covid-19 financial or other relief to qualifying small businesses according to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, Act 53 of 2003, as amended, as such funding will not be per the purpose of the vote for the Department.