DA seeks clarity on three year rental of empty building
Bernadie added that the situation is a "complete waste of taxpayers’ money" and as a result amounts to fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
MBOMBELA- The opposition party in the province (DA) has indicated that it will request their colleagues in parliament to to submit questions to public works minister Thulas Nxesi over the R3,2 million in monthly rent paid for an unoccupied building in Nelspruit.
According to the DA’s leader, Mr Anthony Bernadie the building in question was rented in 2010 to accommodate the logistics department of the provincial police.
He added that despite signing the lease three years ago, the SAPS logistics personnel have been working in cramped conditions because they have been unable to move into the new premises.
“The logistics department was initially meant to work from the new provincial SAPS headquarters in Nelspruit, but a space shortage resulted in the Department of Public Works renting out nearby premises for R88 000 a month to accommodate personnel. However, although the new offices are fully furnished and ready for occupation, they are yet to be used,” He said.
Bernadie added that the situation is a “complete waste of taxpayers’ money” and as a result amounts to fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
“We believe the minister must explain why the SAPS have not been allowed to move into the premises, and why the department has spent R 3,2 million on an unoccupied building,” he asked.
