DA still in dark about upgrade

The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal is seeking further answers regarding more than R32 million in expenditure earmarked for the renovations to upgrade the premier’s official residence in Pietermaritzburg.

This follows Wednesday’s parliamentary reply to the DA in KZN, which revealed that the official residence of Willies Mchunu, pictured, Parkside Residence on Topham Road, was currently undergoing renovations valued at R32 650 330.

The reply from the office of the premier was signed by Mchunu and his director-general, Nonhlanhla Mkhize.

The provincial government said that the expenditure was budgeted for under Vote 1.

According to the response, the upgrades include renovations to the swimming pool surrounding area, including the paving and braai area, to the value of R1 010 000; upgrading of three bathrooms for R540 000; and repairs to electrical light fittings for R180 000.

The reply also reveals that the monthly running costs for the property includes a garden service fee of R15 960, a water and electricity bill of plus/minus R10 000 and DStv for R1 755.

The work will be done by the province’s department of public works, which completed the upgrade of the bathrooms in August.

The department has undertaken to complete all other work by 2023. The tender was advertised by Amafa, the provincial heritage agency for KwaZulu Natal, in 2013.

DA KZN spokesperson on public works Sizwe Mchunu said that such runaway expenditure was a slap in the face of every person in the province struggling to make ends meet.

Mchunu said this was a blow, particularly for those who were currently homeless or who had been living in transit camps for years as they waited for low-cost government housing.

The expenditure comes as eThekwini Municipality has said the city needs about R300 million to deal with the damage after the deadly storm that hit the province two weeks ago, while the health department has completed its assessment of damage to hospitals and clinics in the province and estimates that it will cost about R100 million for repairs.

“With KZN’s current housing backlog, every cent counts and the R32 million allocated to upgrade the premier’s residence could have built more than 300 lowcost houses,” said Sizwe Mchunu. – ANA