Question NW2599 to the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
05 December 2016 - NW2599
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
With reference to his reply to question 4040 on 3 December 2015, (a) who is currently the strategic partner for the Umsinga Vegetables Producers Co-operative at Tugela Ferry in KwaZulu-Natal and (b) what (i) are the details of the process that was followed by his department to appoint the current strategic partner and (ii) amount of money has been paid over to the specified strategic partner to date; (2) whether this amount which was paid over to the current strategic partner was budgeted for; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the project is currently operational; if not, (a) why not and (b) what is the state of completion of the current project as per the original tender specifications; if so, when did it become operational; (4) what was the (a) actual cost of the construction of the ablution block in the project and (b) original quote as per the original tender?
Reply:
(1) After reading questions NA 2598 and NA 2599, having answered NA 2597, 2016, on the same matter, the Minister ordered an investigation into the matter (see Ministerial note below). As soon as he receives the report the Minister will respond to the said questions.
MINISTERIAL NOTE: I need a full investigation on this matter. It cannot be that a Member of Parliament (MP) would ask three separate questions on the same matter, without there being a good reason for it.