Question NW225 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
07 March 2023 - NW225
Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)With regard to the matter of court buildings that cannot function properly due to the ongoing Eskom electricity blackout crisis, what (a) total number of courthouses throughout the Republic cannot function properly due to a lack of generators and the maintenance thereof and (b) measures has she put in place to ensure that the courthouses are fully equipped with functional generators; (2) whether she will put measures in place to ensure that courthouses are exempt from load shedding; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
1)
(a) I am informed by the Department that the number of courts with partially-functioning generators are three hundred and sixty (360), the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has issued eighty (80) instructions for the installation of new generators.
(b) The Department is currently rolling-out the critical components programme for the balance. The generators, have been accessed by DPWI multidisciplinary technical team throughout a Condition Assessment Exercise, to determine whether the equipment needs to be replaced or maintained.
The department is also assessing other initiatives to supplement electricity supply using renewable energy sources.
2) The exemption from load shedding is not being dealt with by DPWI, as this matter was reported in recent meetings held with Office of the Chief Justice. The Department of Justice & Constitutional Development agreed to action direct applications with ESKOM for exemptions.
3) N/A