Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has launched an independent investigation into the procurement as well as the subsequent renovation at the dilapidated Telkom Towers Building in the Pretoria CBD.
The minister conducted an oversight inspection at what has been described as one of the department’s problematic facilities. The building was procured to serve as the South African Police Headquarters in 2016 at the tune of nearly R700 million. Officials say to date, over R200 million has been spent on renovations and other services but the building remains empty due to lapses.
Macpherson as the new minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is tasked with overseeing the management of government’s 880 000 buildings. Some of the facilities are in a bad condition, while others have been hijacked by criminals. This week the minister got a first-hand experience as he embarked on an oversight visit to the Telkom Towers Building in Pretoria.
“I am not sure if the building was worth the money that we paid for it. The other thing that sort of leaves me speechless is to see the state of vandalism, decay that has taken place over time and it’s always shocking to see with your own eye that public building which is supposed to be the pride of our nation. We are supposed to be proud of what we are owning, proud of our buildings with public servants going in there full of pride in the places that they work and yet we sit in buildings like this,” says Macpherson.
The multi-million rand building housed Telkom headquarters until 2016 when it got acquired by the South African Police for R695 million. It was later renovated for R215 million. The minister says after his walkabout, he’s convinced that there are serious problems at the facility. He’s now launched an independent investigation.
“The terms of reference for the independent investigation to provide me with answers will take the following, what led to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure buying the Telkom Tower complex and whether the purchase was necessary at all. 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 was the best option available for the South African Police Service. Whether any officials should be held accountable for the position that the department now finds itself in relation to the put phase and renovation of the building,” Macpherson elaborates.
The City of Tshwane’s officials also formed part of the oversight visit at the Telkom Towers Building.
Mayor Cilliers Brink says the department is the biggest landlord with government buildings spread out across the city. He’s flagged issues with the state of some of government buildings.
“So, you’ve got instances where lifts aren’t working, where wiring was rewired in a way that makes no sense and creates a health hazard, no proper ventilation, electrical light systems that don’t work. So that was a technical determination by the municipality to withdraw the occupation certificate. The city won’t have a direct role in that probe, but it is the success of those kinds of steps that will bear fruit for the residents of Tshwane, and this is a capital city, a place to be proud of and the department has a massive portfolio here and we want to work with them on making this a success,” says Brink.
Officials say government buildings that have been hijacked by criminals will have to be reclaimed and the stalled projects resuscitated. Some public workers say they’ve been blowing the whistle and flagging the deteriorating state of government buildings with no joy.
“It’s problematic for us, there are still people that are working here. So, despite the fact that the building has been closed by the department as not being fit for human occupation people are still working here. We are glad the minister came to ground level to experience what we’ve talking about for several years now. There’s a lot of problems, government buildings belonging to the government that DPW is responsible for is falling apart. I am working in the police sector and can tell you that police stations everywhere are falling apart,” says Renate Pieterse from Solidarity.
The department says it is adopting a no tolerance approach to mafias and the hijacking of buildings. The police officials that were asked to vacate the space for safety have since been housed in various spaces elsewhere. Minister Macpherson wants the workers to return to the building in about six months’ time.
The minister says the intention is to make the buildings safe, habitable and away from criminal elements, so they are able to support economic activities within municipalities. He will in 60 days announce a way forward as part of the broader intervention in a bid to tackle concerns of fruitless and wasteful expenditure at buildings belonging to government.
Source: eNCA
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