Question NW154 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
08 March 2021 - NW154
Selfe, Mr J to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2242 on 27 November 2020, the investigation by the Acting Director-General is complete; if not, by what date is it expected that the investigation will be complete; if so, what are the findings of the investigation; (2) whether her department intends to develop the specified property; if so (a) on what date, (b) for what purpose and (c) at what cost?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. I have been informed by the Department that the investigation has been concluded.
It was found that on her appointment as Director of Property Management in the Cape Town Regional Office on 15 January 2018, the official relocated from Durban to Cape Town. The official submitted a request to stay in the property while she would look for her own place in Cape Town. The request was approved in April 2018 for a three (3) month period, subject to a rental being paid as determined by the Department. The Property and Valuation unit of the Department was never requested to determine the market related rent and rent was never charged. The official also did not vacate the property after the agreed three (3) months lapsed.
On 12 November 2020, the official was given 30 days’ notice to vacate the property by 15 December 2021. When the official failed to vacate the property, a final notice was issued on 26 January 2021 to hand over the keys by 5 February 2021. The official was also informed that she would be liable for all outstanding rent.
On compassionate grounds, the official requested an extension to the end of February 2021 to vacate the property which was granted by the Accounting Officer. The official informed the Accounting Officer on 23 February 2021 that she had vacated the property and that the keys had been handed over.
The valuation unit of the Department is in the process of determining the market related rent, upon which the official will be served with a notice to pay the outstanding rental amount. Consequence management, including disciplinary action on why rental amounts were never determined and charged, and why the property was not vacated within the agreed to three (3) months will be implemented.
(2) I have been informed by the Department that it intends to develop this property.
(a) 2022/2023 Financial Year;
(b) For purposes of utilisation by Members of the Executive; and
(c) The cost is yet to be determined.