Human Settlements
According to media reports (23 November 2020) approximately R4 million worth of temporary housing building material has been lying unused on vacant land at the airport in Plettenberg Bay since 2018.
- (a) What material is this, (b) who procured it, (c) for what purpose was it procured, (d) who placed the building material at the airport, (e) why has the material not been utilised and (f) where is the material now;
whether this R4 million has been recorded as an irregular and fruitless expenditure; if not, why not?
(1)(a) The Greenlite product which complies to all building Governing Bodies, (NHBRC, SABS Agreement SA & CSIR) is supported by all Banking Institutions. The material is light weight recycled Polystyrene concrete panels. The panels are damp sound, waterproof and have a fire-retardant rate of more than 2 hours. Panels are 600mm x 75mmx 2400mm. The roof is light gauge structural steel trusses. Lightweight roof cladding with insulated ceilings.
(b)The material was procured by Bitou Municipality.
(c) The municipality applied for emergency relief directly with the National Department of Human Settlement to assist families whose houses were affected by storms in 2018.
(d)The municipality was responsible for the procurement and storage of the material.
(e) The municipality reported that the material was rejected by the community.
(f) It has been reported that the material is currently stored at the airport.
(2) The municipality applied for the emergency grant directly to the National Department of Human Settlements. The funds were transferred directly to them in line with the municipal emergency grant framework. My department is not aware of any reports in respect of irregular and fruitless expenditure. The responsibility to record and report any irregularity lies with the National Department of Human Settlements.
