Question NW276 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
07 March 2023 - NW276
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What (a) are the details of the 24-hour security presence at the old Jewish Synagogue in Tshwane, (b) has been the response from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) to the proposed feasibility study as it is long past the 12-months’ deadline since the study was completed and (c) are the specifications of the scope of the project for the redevelopment of the existing Old Synagogue site and the adjacent sites; (2) whether the site will be the new headquarters of the DSAC; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether approval has been received from the National Treasury; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (4) whether bids for public-private partnerships (PPPs) will be opened and/or encouraged; if not, why not; if so, (5) whether Tshwane’s Jewish community will be one of the PPPs considered in the mix because of the synagogue’s significant relevance to the Jewish community; if not, why not; if so, on what date is the project likely to begin?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
1.(a) I have been informed by the Department that the security team is appointed on a 6-month basis at an approximate R60, 000.00 per month, two security guards during the day and two guards during the night.
(b) It is an on-going engagement between the DPWI and DSAC with an updated request for a response and meeting sent.
(c) The provisional scope of the redevelopment of this property has been qualified as part of the project pre-feasibility study completed. It should however be noted that the project scope is refined per stage and will eventually form part of the bid received from the appointed design and construct team as guided by the relevant output specification and tender. The project is currently in the pre-planning stage and will move onto the planning stage which includes development and formulation of the relevant scope depending on technical-, financial- and legal viability.
2. The old Jewish Synagogue and two adjoining properties were the subject of a pre-feasibility study inclusive of a highest and best use which proposed the redevelopment of said property to incorporate the new head office for the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. This proposal was presented to the intended client for consideration and approval. Should this proposal not materialize for unknown reasons, an updated highest and best use will be conducted to evaluate an alternative option.
3. Application to National Treasury for any project approvals are subject to obtaining the client commitment first. This requirement once obtained will then allow the project to advance to planning stage inclusive of the completion of a project feasibility study which presents a procurement strategy to National Treasury for approval. This process has not yet been initiated.
4. Bids for potential Public Private Partnerships (PPP) are dependent in the outcome of the project feasibility study which includes a procurement strategy for National Treasury concurrence.
5. Should the proposed project obtain approval to continue as a PPP, the project will be advertised in the market as an open tender in accordance with the PPP manual within the ambit of the Government Technical Advisory Centre’s PPP Unit and National Treasury. No timelines can at this stage be commented on as the planning and development stages are subject to various approvals and processes to be concluded.