Question NW256 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
07 March 2023 - NW256
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What number of houses are (a) occupied and (b) unoccupied in the Pelican Park Parliamentary Village; (2) whether a case has been opened in respect of the recent shooting incident where a stray bullet went through the windscreen of a car in the Park; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what assessments have been done with respect to the security of residents entering and exiting the Park in light of the ongoing gang violence in the area; (4) whether she has found that there is a high risk to the safety of the residents of the Park; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (5) whether her department will consider alternative accommodation for the residents of the Park; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
1. I have been informed by the Department that:
a) 87 Occupied
b) 20 Unoccupied
2. Yes, a case of damage to private property was opened at Grassy Park CAS 151/02/2023 for further investigation. No shooting report was however reported. Only a bullet was found at the scene suggesting a stray bullet damaged the rear window of the vehicle. Furthermore the house in question is located almost in the middle of the park which makes it near impossible for it to be exposed to stray bullets emanating from outside the park.
3. Security management in the Parliamentary Villages is the responsibility of the South African Police Services and assessment of security features is an ongoing exercise and where shortcomings are identified, they are reported to my department for repairs and or service. The following security features are continually assessed: CCTV cameras, Beams, motorised gates, access control readers.
4. No risk. The South African Police Services, Protection and Security Services are deployed at Pelican Park; administering access control procedures and protection services at the Parliamentary Village.
5. No, at this juncture there are no immediate plans to provide alternative accommodation as no threat to the lives of the residents of the park have been identified