Question NW2182 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
14 June 2022 - NW2182
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)(a) How often does her department audit the occupancy of the houses occupied by sessional workers at the parliamentary villages and (b) what is the period of occupation for sessional workers; (2) whether she has been informed of the allegations that sessional workers do not reside in their allocated houses, but are renting them out instead; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether her department is prepared to do a full audit to confirm that the houses allocated to (a) Members of Parliament, (b) staff and (c) sessional workers are primarily occupied by the individuals to whom they have been allocated; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
(1)
(a) I have been informed that the Department conducts annual occupancy audits of the Parliamentary Villages after all designation letters of sessional officials have been received from client Departments;
(b) Sessional officials are appointed on a yearly basis for a Parliamentary year.
(2) Yes, I received a complaint from the Minister of Tourism of six former sessional officials who are illegally occupying units at Acacia and Pelican Park Parliamentary Villages. The Department has instituted the process of eviction as at 12 May 2022. The Department has also requested that the SAPS at the gates refuse entry to the six former sessional staff members.
(3)
(a), (b) and (c)
Yes, the department will commence with the occupancy audit on the 01 July 2022;