Question NW65 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
28 February 2022 - NW65
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
What amount did his department (a) budget for and (b) spend on the renovations of the official residence of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa?
Reply:
The Department allocates funds to universities through the block grant and earmarked grants, outlined in a Ministerial Statement every year. University budgets are approved by their Councils, who have the decision-making responsibility on budgeting issues. The block grant funding is discretionary, and guided by university’s own budget processes. The earmarked grants are subject to specific reporting requirements, including the Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant (IEG) where the funds benefit the greater university community. The Department therefore did not budget for the UNISA VC’s house renovations.
The University was requested to respond and the total cost for the Cloghereen Renovations amounted to R 2 050 842. This includes kitchen upgrades, floors, walls, electricals, plumbing and wet works. The total budgeted amount was R2 031 869.