Question NW368 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
25 February 2022 - NW368
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(a) What progress has been made in terms of the application to rent Portion 1008 of the Farm Hartbeespoort 419JQ for the purposes of a shooting range in Brits, given the level of compliance already attained by the applicant, (b) on what basis is the permission being withheld for such an extraordinarily long time and (c) what is the perceived time frame for the finalisation of the application?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
a) I have been informed by the Departments that the Department acknowledges that it has received an application to rent a Portion 1008 of the Farm 419JQ at Hartebeespoort in 2019. However the bid to let out State-owned properties was subsequently cancelled in order to review the leasing terms that were offered and to align the letting out strategy to the disposal policy and property empowerment policy.
b) Permission is not being withheld. However, DPWI experienced delays internally due to internal consultation between branches and with the executive authority before the circular could be finalised.
c) The letting out circular was approved on the 19 November 2021 and planning is underway to invite interested bidders to submit their proposals on the letting out of identified State-owned properties. The projected timeline of advert is March 2022.