Social Development

With reference to the signing of the memorandum of understanding concerning the six new shelters and the Minister’s statement to this effect on 26 November 2020:

1. What is the description of the overall [a[ building and [b[ furnishing conditions of each of the shelters and [c[ defects of the individual properties that would have a negative impact on the implementation of the service provision as intended;

 

 

[a[

 

Shelter situated in:
Moorreesburg	4- bedroomed house; kitchen; lounge; toilet; bathroom; outer building with 3 small rooms and toilet; 2 garages
Aurora house 1	4-bedroomed house; kitchen; lounge; bathroom; toilet; outer building with shower; room and storage room; garage
Aurora House 2	4-bedroomed house; kitchen; lounge; bathroom; toilet; outer building with shower; room and storage room; garage
Laingsburg	3-bedroomed house; kitchen; lounge; dining room; bathroom; toilet; outer building with room; shower and toilet; garage
Albertinia	3-bedroomed house; kitchen; lounge; dining room; bathroom; toilet; outer building with room; shower and toilet; garage
Heidelberg	4-bedroomed house; kitchen; lounge; dining room; bathroom; toilet; outer building with 2 rooms; shower and toilet; garage

           

[b[ Service providers have been appointed by DSD for each shelter.  Funding model includes start-up funds to ensure houses are furnished.

[c[ DSD has visited all sites and a detailed snag list has been developed for maintenance issues such as broken windows; repainting; installation of burglar bars, etc.  National Department of Public Works and infra-structure committed themselves to attend to for completion by February 2021,

2. whether there are any impediments to the implementation of the provision of shelter services at any of the properties; if so, [a[ what are the details of each impediment separately and [b[ who are the relevant government departments and/or stakeholders responsible for the rectification thereof;

1.  Timeous completion of items on snag list to National Public works

 Until the sites are handed over from Public Works there is a concern regarding continuity of security at all the facilities, especially to ensure houses are not unattended at any time.  

2. Commitment given by Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to attend to the maintenance works on the snag list and to keep a security contract in place until hand-over to DSD in accordance to Memorandum of Agreement signed on 29 October 2020.

3. [a[ what are the time frames for rolling out the services at each of the sites

There was a significant time lapse from the announcement  by  the National Department of Public Works on 4 March 2020  re the safe houses until the MOU was signed on 29 October 2020. The main reason being that the conditions and terms of the MOU had to be negotiated and the National Deparment of Public Works took a lot of time to respond.  The intention is for service providers to move into houses on 01 February 2021.

[b[ what [i[ are the details of any delays, [ii[ are the reasons thereof and

National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to attend to snag list as indicated in 1 [c[ and to comply with municipal by-laws such as rezoning; electrical certificates and certificate of occupancy.

 [iii[ steps, if any, are being taken by her to address these concerns?

The DSD is in regular communication with National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and identified service providers to render services at the shelters.