Question NW2749 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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30 September 2022 - NW2749

Profile picture: Graham, Ms SJ

Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

How often does her department audit the occupancy of the houses allocated to sessional workers at the parliamentary villages; (2) what is the period of occupation for sessional workers; (3) whether she is aware of the allegations that sessional workers are not residing in their allocated houses, but are renting them out instead; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether her Department intends to do a full audit to confirm that houses allocated to Members, staff and 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) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has informed me that it conducts an annual occupancy audit of the Parliamentary Villages, usually after all Client Departments have confirmed their Sessional Officials for the Parliamentary year.

(2) Sessional Officials are designated as Sessional for one Parliamentary year at a time.

(3) No, the Department informed me that it is not aware of such allegations, as no specific allegations have been brought to the Department’s attention. However, details of such allegations would be appreciated to ensure that they are investigated accordingly.

(4) The Department commenced the annual occupancy audit in mid-August 2022, and the process is expected to take three (3) months to complete. The biggest challenge experienced thus far is that tenants are not always in Cape Town all the time and that the exercise is completed primarily after hours as the primary tenant needs to confirm the occupant declared. There is the Parliamentary Programme, which also determines the Members’ availability at the residence.

 

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