WeeklySA_AdminNUB: Official probe to investigate what led to the department buying the Telkom Tower complex and whether this was necessary…
By Lehlohonolo Lehana
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson says he will commission an independent probe into the purchase of the former Telkom headquarters building in 2016 for R695 million and its subsequent renovation for R250 million.
Joined by the City of Tshwane Mayor, Cilliers Brink, on an oversight visit to the building on Thursday morning, Macpherson said it is unacceptable that for the past eight years, the building complex has barely been utilised and has been left vacant.
Other parts of the building were vacated earlier this year after the department of labour declared it was not inhabitable and suitable for the Saps.
“It is disheartening that so much public funding has been spent to purchase and renovate the building, [and it has been] vandalised and occupied by criminal elements, thereby creating an additional burden for the City of Tshwane,” Macpherson said.
The Minister said the terms of reference for the independent investigation will be to provide him with answers to the following questions:
• What led to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure buying the Telkom Tower complex and whether the purchase was necessary?
• What was the process which was followed for contracts to be appointed and whether the contractors were fit for purpose?
• Whether the purchase of the complex by the Department of Public Works was the best option for the South African Police Service?
• Whether any officials should be held accountable for the position the department finds itself in, in relation to the purchase and renovation of the building?
• Are there any grounds to reclaim any monies paid to contractors where work was not done, or not done according to building standards or health and safety standards?
• What will be the best way forward considering the current state of the building?
• What steps can be taken to avoid the situation from occurring again?
“As the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, we need to start moving faster to ensure that public investments are secured and utilised to avoid the wastage of any public monies in a fiscally constrained environment.
“We simply cannot be spending millions to repair and address vandalism, and poor planning and spending by the department,” the Minister said.
“We will have to start working closer with role players such as the City of Tshwane to ensure our buildings are used for the public good and do not fall into disrepair and cause a burden for the municipality.
By working together, we can reclaim these buildings, unleash infrastructure investment and turn the country into a construction site. Let’s Build South Africa, “the Minister said.
Brink welcomed the minister’s probe into the Telkom Tower complex and said such buildings had an effect on the quality of life, safety and cleanliness of inner cities. “The department is the largest property owner in the city, and we as the city are committed to having a constructive relationship with property owners,” he said.
Brink said he could only see things improving with the minister’s approach to Telkom Towers and looked forward to working with him.
“We are reviewing the city’s derelict buildings by-laws. It has come up against some constitutional challenges. Unfortunately, our eviction law in South Africa makes it difficult to get control back once you have lost it or a building has been hijacked,” he said.
Brink said they were working to establish a derelict buildings by-law that would empower the city as much as possible under the current framework to act against private landlords who weren’t compliant.
Mirror Briefs
TRIBUTE TO WOMEN
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, this week delivered a compelling address to mark the launch of National Women’s Month, which is being observed under the theme: “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy towards women’s development”. The launch took place at Tshedimosetso House in Pretoria.
Chikunga said this year’s observance was not only a tribute to the strides made over the past three decades but also a moment for introspection and continued commitment to gender equality.
“August has long been a month of reflection and tribute to the invaluable roles women have played in the fight against discrimination and exploitation.”
The commemoration of Women’s Month serves as a platform to pay tribute to the role played by women in the decades of struggle against all forms of discrimination, subordination and exploitation.
The 30-Year Review Report underscored the progress achieved in women empowerment. Notably, women’s representation in Parliament increased from 28% in 1994 to 45% in 2019.
“Similarly, their presence in senior management roles rose from 20% in 2001 to 36% in 2021. Furthermore, as of 2017, women accounted for approximately 61.5% of university graduates, surpassing their male counterparts,” said the Minister.
Despite these advancements, Chikunga emphasised that “while these are significant strides, a lot more still needs to be done”. – Khanyisile Rasmeni.
MINISTER SLATES COURT ATTACK
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane, has strongly condemned an attack on a prosecutor and a stenographer at the Mamelodi Magistrates’ Court in Pretoria this week.
According to the department, a suspect convicted of common robbery and damage to property allegedly attacked the two with a broken bottle immediately after their verdict was handed down.
“We will not tolerate such acts of violence in our courts. The suspect will be prosecuted for committing this crime. It is essential that our courts remain free to fulfil their constitutionally mandated role in administering justice without fear of harm. Any assault on court officials undermines the authority of the state and will not be tolerated,” Simelane said. An investigation into the incident was being conducted.
“As the police are currently investigating the matter, the department is unable to disclose further details at this time. However, senior management from the department has visited the Mamelodi Court and all staff affected by the incident will receive trauma counselling support.
“In response to this incident, the Minister has directed the department to urgently conduct a comprehensive security and risk assessment, identify any potential lapses and implement immediate measures to address any gaps.” – SAnews
BANKUNA HONOURS PRINCIPAL
Bankuna High School in Nkowankowa will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year after its establishment in 1964.
Event Organising Committee’s Chairperson, James Mathonsi, says current and former students and teachers, support staff and friends are invited to attend this memorable event which will be held on the 9th and 10th August 2024 at the school.
During the celebrations, the first and long serving principal of the school, DZJ Mtebule will be honoured by the unveiling of his statue, which will serve as a symbol of his dedication to building a culture of excellence during his years of service at the school.
The erection of the statue will also add to the history of the Nkuna Traditional Community, particularly His Majesty, Regent Philport Mhlava Shiluvana who provided land and also worked tirelessly in the construction and establishment of the school. The name plaques will be unveiled at Nkowankowa and Ritavi Primary Schools, which hosted Bankuna High School while it was still under construction.
August 9 has been reserved for recreational activities that will also celebrate Women’s Day.
The main event will be held the following day starting with the unveiling of name plaques and statue of the first principal and a programme where former students will deliver speeches on their experiences at the school. – Nokuthula Zungu
EX-PROSECUTIONS DIRECTOR FIRED
Former acting Mpumalanga Director of Public Prosecutions Matric Luphondo has been fired after a disciplinary hearing found him guilty of offering a bribe which included an 18-year-old bottle of Glenfiddich whisky valued at R1550, to a prosecutor to make a criminal case disappear.
Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said Luphondo was dismissed on 30 July following an arbitration process. “The allegations of bribery, alternatively gross dishonesty against Luphondo are a contravention of clause 4.3.4 (a) of the NPA Code of Ethics. The NPA adheres to strict anti-corruption policies and practices and has a zero-tolerance approach to corruption within its ranks.”
Mhaga added that Advocate Luphondo, in particular as a senior manager in the NPA, should have acted at all times with the highest ethical standards and executed his duties without fear, favour or prejudice.
Luphondo was suspended in April 2021 and put through a disciplinary hearing after allegations emerged that he had tried to bribe a senior prosecutor, advocate Andrew Mphaga, to withdraw a case of fraud and contravention of the Immigration Act case against Kebone Masange, the former Head of the Mpumalanga Human Settlements department.
Masange was accused of being in South Africa illegally and using fraudulent documents in his application for the Head of department position. – Fullview
