Premier
Whether he supported the action of a senior official in the provincial Department of Transport and Public Works who contacted the Golden Arrow bus company and instructed them not to provide transport for the relocation of the refugees from the Central Methodist Church to Bellville; if not, why not; if so, what was the reason for this support?
I am informed that no such instruction or communication took place. The facts of the matter, as confirmed to my office are that:
On the 2nd April 2020, the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) received a request from the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) to provide transport for the relocation of refugees from the Central Methodist Church in Cape Town. In response to this request, the DTPW engaged Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) as a possible provider of the required public transport service, given the long-standing contractual arrangement that the DTPW has with GABS, and requested that GABS be available at short notice to provide the service. DTPW was awaiting confirmation from national government that the service was required.
After having questioned whether the City of Cape Town had agreed to the use of the site in Bellville, DTPW was informed that the transport services were no longer required, which information the DTPW relayed to GABS. The DTPW was later advised that the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure contracted GABS directly to render the relocation transportation services on a private charter hire arrangement.
