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The uninsured status of Parliament buildings during the fire: A closer look

The uninsured status of Parliament buildings during the fire: A closer look

IOL Newsa day ago
The restoration and rebuilding work is set to be completed in November 2026 for the New Assembly building and the following month in the Old Assembly just in time for the State of the Nation Address in 2027.
Image: Phando Jikelo
At least R574 million has been spent to date on rebuilding the Parliament buildings gutted by fire in January 2022.
This, as the buildings were not insured when they went up in flames, Secretary to Parliament Xolile George said on Friday.
'The State does not insure immovable property to a large extent as we know, including movable property. There is no insurance. It covers that by placing funds to rebuild whenever there are issues or replaces those assets,' he said.
George was responding to questions from MPs when implementing agent, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and Parliament briefed the Joint Standing Committee of Financial Management of Parliament on the rebuilding and restoration work.
George also said the National Treasury had issued an instruction note in 2007 that clearly stated departments not to insure immovable properties.
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The restoration and rebuilding work is set to be completed in November 2026 for the New Assembly building and the following month in the Old Assembly just in time for the State of the Nation Address in 2027.
Image: Phando Jikelo / Independent Newspapers
During the meeting, MPs heard that at least R574 million has been spent to date on rebuilding the buildings.
DBSA group executive for infrastructure delivery, Chuene Ramphele, said the cost of restoring and rebuilding the gutted buildings was R4.4 billion.
'We have already spent R574 million. These are reconciled by the National Treasury and Parliament,' Ramphele said.
He told the MPs that the work done at the precinct had entailed five work streams that included enabling a work safe access route, MPs' offices, rubble removal, asset recovery, and spatial planning and designs, among other things.
Ramphele also said the construction and restoration started after construction companies were appointed following the issuing of a work permit for construction by the Department of Employment and Labour.
He said work was happening underground.
'You may not see things really happening. You see cranes. We started the kind of work happening in the basement,' he said.
The presentation made to the committee showed that work in the New Assembly and Old Assembly would be completed in November 2026 and January 2027, respectively, just in time for the State of the Nation Address.
Ramphele said they projected to commission, test, and hand over the New Assembly in November 2026.
'At that time, the building will be practically complete at 95%. It can really be used.'
He stated that the building can be used around January 2027.
Ramphele also said the Old Assembly will be commissioned, tested, and handed over in January 2027.
He said they were monitoring the timelines closely.
'We really work hard with contractors, consultants, Parliament, and everyone involved to make sure these milestones are achieved and get these buildings completed,' Ramphele said.
George echoed the sentiments of MPs that issues of weather could not be used as an excuse for not completing the project unless something unreasonable happened.
However, George said a stream of ground was found under the Old Assembly buildings.
'It is known that the stream has always existed. I think the engineers, like any other, would find answers so that it does not materially impact the progress per set timelines. We will be watching that also to ensure the project is completed as planned,' he said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.
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Emma Powell quits DA's international relations portfolio
Emma Powell quits DA's international relations portfolio

The Citizen

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  • The Citizen

Emma Powell quits DA's international relations portfolio

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Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen received best haul of gifts, Parliament register reveals
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  • Daily Maverick

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen received best haul of gifts, Parliament register reveals

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'The police don't work!' Really? Let's weigh critique against evidence
'The police don't work!' Really? Let's weigh critique against evidence

IOL News

timea day ago

  • IOL News

'The police don't work!' Really? Let's weigh critique against evidence

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He faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, all linked to a botched hit on actress Tebogo Thobejane. But that's just the surface. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ His company, Medicare24, cancelled by the National Commissioner of Police Fannie Masemola upon realizing that there was something untoward – when it was controversially awarded a R360 million health services tender. In July 2025, four suspects - including alleged mastermind KT Molefe and former police detective Michael Tau - were arrested for the murder of DJ Sumbody, gunned down in Woodmead in November 2022. Firearms recovered from the scene are linked to ten other high-profile cases. Meanwhile, SAPS commercial crime investigators made significant strides: At least 12 Eskom employees were arrested for corruption-related offences in 2024/25, working with NAT JOINTS and internal security teams. Eight Transnet-linked individuals, including former executives, were arrested between July 2024 and June 2025: Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Anoj Singh, and Thamsanqa Jiyane - for a R93 million locomotive tender fraud. Zakhele Lebelo and Phathutshedzo Mashamba - for R10 million in kickbacks. Garry Pita - for irregular payments in the broader procurement scandal. 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'When criticism is done objectively – with the intention to develop – and empower – will be the first to acknowledge our fallibilities and take corrective measures to improve – service delivery' says the National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola. * Thabo Moetji, South African Police Service (SAPS) Media Liaison. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.

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