Question NW794 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
22 June 2022 - NW794
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)What progress has been made to find alternative accommodation for the staff of his department housed at the Al Fallah Towers on the corner of Govan Mbeki and Crawford Avenue in North End, Gqeberha, which houses the Department of Correctional Services on three floors; (2) what action has been taken currently to secure the vehicles of the staff from (a) theft and (b) vandalism; (3) what action has his department of Correctional Services taken to remedy some of the problems identified to them by the Department of Employment and Labour which fall within the day-to-day maintenance function of the Department of Correctional Services; (4) whether there is a deadline for finalising the move from the specified building to new premises for the staff; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details
Reply:
1. The request for procurement of alternative accommodation for Gqeberha Community Corrections offices was forwarded to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) on 19 April 2019. The request was resubmitted to the DPWI on 10 October 2021, after which the DPWI reported that the tender for procurement of alternative accommodation for Gqeberha Community Corrections will be advertised during the month of April 2022.
(2)(a) & (b) The alternative accommodation to be procured will have adequate parking facilities to secure the vehicles from theft and vandalism.
3. The landlord was placed in mora in terms of clause 11of the lease agreement, which resulted in minor refurbishments by the landlord, although full compliance was not achieved. Various engagements were undertaken with DPWI regarding poor condition of the facility and there has been little success in this regard; hence the request for alternative accommodation was submitted.
4. DPWI indicated that the procurement for the alternative office accommodation will be finalised by 30 October 2022, thereafter the relocation will commence. It is anticipated that the relocation will be finalised by 30 January 2023.
END