NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 2262
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 13 November 2009
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 28 OF 2009
Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether all offices of her department are accessible to persons with
disabilities; if not, (a) why not and (b) what action has been taken to
rectify this problem; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2971E
REPLY
(a) No. The Department of Home Affairs does not own immovable property.
It leases its office accommodation through the Department of Public
Works (DPW) who is responsible for the administration of the leased
properties. It must be noted that State owned buildings have been put
on a Repair and Maintenance Programme which is aimed at correcting
issues of accessibility for the disabled, and to ensure that the
buildings comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993
(Act No 85 of 1993), as well as, with the National Buildings
Regulations.
(b) The Department of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the DPW, have
instituted the following measures to improve access to its offices by
persons with disabilities:
⢠Landlords have been engaged, and tasked to upgrade their
buildings to make them accessible to persons with disabilities.
⢠In instances, where landlords were not willing to comply, the
Department has opted for relocating to alternative
accommodation.
⢠All site visits conducted, when seeking new office accommodation
will be conducted together with Occupational Health and Safety
Act representatives to ensure that buildings chosen comply. If
such premises do not comply, steps are to be taken to ensure
that it complies, before the Department of Home Affairs take
occupation of the building.
⢠In cases, where the Department is operating from multi-storey
buildings, the Department ensures that all Public Waiting areas
are located at the ground floor to ensure easy access for
persons with disabilities.