Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
- (a) What were the dates on which the last hikers were accommodated at the various huts at De Tronk in the Groot Winterhoek Nature Reserve before they were closed for refurbishment, (b) what are the specifications for the maintenance and/or upgrading of these huts, (c) what amount has been budgeted for this, (d) when did work commence and (e) when is the work expected to be completed;
- whether the current contract include a retention fee; if not, what steps will be undertaken to ensure that the workmanship will be of such a quality that the structures do not suffer damage again at the first sign of adverse weather;
- whether the contractors are allowed to overnight in the reserve and to light fires during the construction period; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- (a) what locks will be fitted to the huts and (b) what steps will be taken to ensure that hikers do not leave the parking area without first fetching the keys to the huts?
(1) (a) The last hikers accommodated at De Tronk in the Grootwinterhoek NR before it was closed for refurbishment was from 17 to 20 February 2018.
(b) The specifications for the maintenance and/or upgrading of the huts include repairs to damage as a result of a veld fire and subsequent flood.
(c) R2 049 049.79 was budgeted.
(d) The work commenced on 16 October 2018.
(e) The work was completed on 6 December 2019.
(2) The contract includes a retention fee which is held by the Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW). DTPW manages all latent defects to the facility and will ensure that the contractor is held responsible accordingly.
(3) Yes, contractors were allowed to overnight on the reserve and were allowed to make fires for cooking purposes.
(4) (a) The huts are fitted with typical, outdoor appropriate locks.
(b) Hikers are required to check in at the office when they enter the reserve, before they start the hike to ensure that they do not leave the parking area without first collecting the keys to the huts.
