Official reply: 14 Dec. 09
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
QUESTION 106
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: November 2009
Internal question paper no:
Mr R A Lees (DA-KZN) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
Whether there are any plans to upgrade the SA Social Security Agency
(SASSA) offices in Osizweni near Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal; if not, why
not; if so, (a) what plans and (b) when will (i) the wooden huts be
upgraded and (ii) electricity be supplied? CW159E
REPLY:
Yes, there are plans to upgrade the SASSA Offices located in Osizweni near
Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal.
a) The offices in Osizweni, is one of the offices that SASSA share
with the Department of Social Development. It is located on site
number 4180 Osizweni and although SASSA is assigned minimal space,
this office services a vast area with a daily influx of clients /
potential beneficiaries. An audit was conducted in conjunction
with Head Office with a view of determining the conditions of local
offices in KwaZulu Natal. The region identified 18 local offices
that required urgent relocation due to poor conditions that
prevailed and the Osizweni was one of the offices identified. The
Midlands District office, under which this local office resides,
was advised to secure a site for the erection of park homes, which
was successfully secured within the Newcastle Municipality.
However, due to certain challenges, the procurement of the park
homes did not materialize. Currently the region identified two
office buildings that are appropriate and suitable to accommodate
the SASSA Osizweni office and arrangements have been made to view
these sites. Should the site be found suitable, meeting the
required criteria, the National Department of Public Works would be
engaged to procure and conclude a lease agreement.
b) (i) The existing wooden huts are a health hazard and SASSA has no
intention of upgrading the huts. The aim is to relocate offices to
permanent independent SASSA offices and plans are on course to
acquire its own buildings. The wooden huts are an interim measure
by the Agency, ensuring service delivery continuity and the
execution of its mandate.
(ii) Permanent electricity and network points cannot be
installed in the wooden huts due to associated risks. Supply of
electricity and network connectivity are availed on a daily basis
to ensure that service delivery is not hampered.