Question NW2336 to the Minister of Police
02 December 2021 - NW2336
Terblanche, Mr OS to ask the Minister of Police
(a) What were if e reasons that certain persons (names and details furnished) are accommodated in a hotel while an official residence is reserved for this purpose, (b) on what date were the specified persons accommodated in the specified hotel, (c) what is the total cost to date and (d) for how long will the status quo remain?
Reply:
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service, in KwaZulu-Natal, was making use of interim accommodation, because the official reserved residential accommodation was not available at the time when he arrived in the Province. The reasons are as follows:
The official residence needed minor repairs, as well as the installation/upgrade of security features. These minor repairs were not regarded as an emergency and the normal procurement process had to be followed. Some of the suppliers had challenges in obtaining the material. which was required to execute the task.
The major challenge, which prevented the Provincial Commissioner from occupying the official residence, was the alleged dispute over ownership of the property and the change of ownership of the electricity account.
lt was found that the official residence was allegedly fraudulently sold to a third party and the victim of this fraud had tried to change the ownership of the property into his name. He was not successful, however, he had successfully changed the electricity account details into his name, at the municipal offices.
The alleged fraudster owed the municipality a substantial amount of money since the change-over of this account. The municipality refused to reverse this account and insisted on all outstanding payments being settled before a new account could be opened. A fraud case was opened, at the Durban North Police Station and the case number, is CAS 165/05/2021
(a). The Provincial Commissioner made use of interim accommodation, from 1 April 2021 to 31 August 2021.
(b). The total cost for the interim accommodation, amounted to R175 000,00.
(c) The Provincial Commissioner has moved and is now occupying the official residence.
Reply to question 2336 recommended
GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2021-11-17
Reply to question 2336 approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 2021-12-02