The Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament conducted a site visit on Friday to inspect the progress made in the rebuilding and reconstruction of Parliament project.
A full investigation has been launched into the proposed transfer of custodianship of the parliamentary precinct after the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure confirmed that records needed to prove the transfer was formally concluded could not be found.
The development adds fresh scrutiny to Parliament’s R4.68 billion rebuilding project, which has faced questions over governance arrangements and the increase from an original estimated cost of R2.1 billion.
Department spokesperson Lennox Mabaso said Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson supported calls to establish what happened when custodianship of the parliamentary precinct was proposed to shift to Parliament.
“The Minister supports any call to understand the circumstances surrounding the proposed transfer of custodianship of the Parliamentary precinct to Parliament and is currently looking into the matter,” Mabaso said.
