Question NW367 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
25 February 2022 - NW367
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
What (a) plans are in place in terms of the maintenance, repair and refurbishment of the Magistrate’s House, Erf 3121276000, at 6 Darling Street in Aberdeen in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality, which is a heritage building and is falling apart and (b) other buildings are earmarked for repairs and maintenance in line with heritage requirements in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality in the next three financial years?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
a) I have been informed by the Department that the subject property, house no. 06 Darling Street, Aberdeen was allocated to a Mr Mxolisi Mdze in the form of a Caretakership Agreement that was signed between National Department Public Works & Infrastructure and Mr Mxolisi Mdze. This took place in February 2018 when the house was returned to DPWI by the Department of Justice because DOJ did not have a further need for the property. The signing of a Caretakership Agreement is an interim arrangement until a decision about the future utilisation of the property is made. Routine maintenance is the responsibility of the Caretaker. On-site inspections took place and Occupancy Certificates were signed in year 2020 and year 2021.
The house is included on the list of surplus properties earmarked for disposal. A decision about the future use of the property is pending. The decision will determine whether to refurbish and rezone the house for State use, refurbish and keep the house as stock but let it out to generate revenue or dispose of the house permanently in line with conditions determined by the South African Heritage Resource Agency.
b) The Gqeberha region has one other building that is earmarked for repairs and maintenance in line with heritage requirements in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality in the next three financial years namely, the Refurbishment of the Willowmore Magistrate Office: Financial tender date is planned for September 2023.