Despite 18 months having passed since a fire engulfed the parliamentary complex in Cape Town, refurbishments are yet to commence.
The blaze, which erupted on January 2 2022, started in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) building before spreading to the National Assembly, causing severe damage.
Zandile Christmas Mafe, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was arrested and charged with arson, housebreaking, and theft in connection with the incident.
However, a recent court ruling declared him unfit to stand trial.
Keys handed over to the construction company
Despite promises of progress from parliament’s top officials, little headway has been made in the reconstruction efforts.
In the aftermath of the fire, parliament stated in January that significant strides had been made in establishing a business continuity management framework, securing funds for reconstruction, and assessing the damage.
During a media briefing on Thursday, parliament officials, including Acting Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli, NCOP chairperson Amos Masondo, and secretary to parliament Xolile George, handed over the keys to constructor Lucky Qotoyi from Maziya General Services to commence the reconstruction process.
Complexity of reconstruction project
However, concerns have been raised about the slow pace of progress.
Parliament’s project manager, Simon Mashigo, addressed these concerns, emphasising the complexity of the reconstruction project.
He outlined the meticulous process that has been undertaken, including criminal investigations, site assessments, and compliance with heritage regulations.
“The site was declared a crime scene for the first six months, hindering access for reconstruction efforts,” Mashigo explained.
“Furthermore, compliance with heritage regulations and asset management laws added additional layers of complexity to the project.”
Temporary office space
Mashigo also highlighted the challenges faced in providing temporary office spaces for MPs during the reconstruction period.
Despite these challenges, significant efforts have been made to provide offices for members, with 155 offices completed by July last year and an additional 54 offices expected to be completed by July this year.
The reconstruction project aims to not only restore the damaged buildings but also to address longstanding functional constraints and optimise space utilisation.
Environmental sustainability and cultural diversity are also key considerations in the rebuilding process, Mashigo said.
