Question NW2273 to the Minister of Trade and Industry
23 August 2018 - NW2273
Atkinson, Mr P to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry
(1)(a) What is the current status of the Centurion Aerospace Village (CAV), (b) what number of tenants are participating in the CAV and (c) on what date were contracts in this regard signed in each case; (2) what number of persons (a) are currently employed and (b) were employed at the CAV in (i) full-time and (ii) part-time employment in the 2017-18 financial year; (3) whether any cases relating to alleged corruption and/or maladministration at the CAV were opened since 1 January 2015; if so, what (a) are the relevant details and (b) is the status of each of the investigations into the specified cases; (4) whether any interactions have been undertaken by the CAV with the City of Tshwane (a) regarding the delivery of bulk infrastructure to the CAV and/or (b) seeking any form of assistance to complete construction of the CAV; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW2448E;
Reply:
1. (a) The CAV has concluded bulk services agreements and related contributions with the City of Tshwane in line with the municipality requirements. The external electricity works has been constructed and commissioned to receive Township Establishment approval by the City of Tshwane. The balance of the bulk infrastructure is underway.
(b) Two (2) tenants are participating in the CAV.
(c) The contracts were signed on the 30th October 2017 and 19th September 2017.
2. (a) The CAV has 16 employees of which 3 are interns.
(b) In 2017-18 the CAV had (i)12 full time employees and (ii) 4 part-time employees.
3. (a) (b) The forensic audit report recommended that a criminal case be instituted against individuals and companies that were allegedly involved in fraudulent activities. In line with this recommendation, the dti instituted criminal charges and case was reported to the South African Police Services and the case number is CAS 647-12-2013.
(4) (a) The CAV was given “Special Project Status” by City of Tshwane (CoT) and the City Mayor has been a champion of the CAV development and personally pledged CoT support. This has already led to assistance in expediting approvals for CAV’s compliance with the approved Conditions of Township Establishment.
(b) The CoT has not provided any financial support at this stage as it does not currently have financial resources to assist the construction of the CAV.