NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
QUESTION 269 Written Reply 08 June 2012
269. Mr M J R de Villiers (DA-WC) to ask the Minister of Public Works:
1) Whether, with reference to a reply to question 39 on 3 April 2012 by
the Minister of Basic Education, any schools currently registered with
the Department of Basic Education are in arrears of payments to
municipalities for (a) rates and taxes, (b)electricity and (c) water;
if so, (i) which schools, (ii) to which municipalities are these funds
owed and (iii) for which services rendered;
2) whether his department has informed the Department of Basic Education
in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
3) whether any of the municipalities informed (a) the schools and (b) his
department regarding this situation; if not, what is the position in
this regard; if so, when will his department address this problem?
CW367E
REPLY
1. The department of Public Works (DPW) acknowledges the debt before the
devolution of property rates grant fund. The process of verification
of the amount claimed is underway by the task team under the
leadership of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional
Affairs (COGTA), National Treasury and DPW. The amount to be verified
is only for the payment of arrears on rates and taxes. Electricity and
water payments have been the responsibility of the Province. As of 1st
April 2008, Provinces are responsible for the payment of property
rates to municipalities for schools.
2. No, the various municipalities are expected to submit invoices on
water and electricity directly to Department of Basic Education in the
Provinces. As of the 1st April 2008, municipalities send invoices on
provincial propertiesâ rates directly to the provinces.
3. (a) N/A
(b) yes, that is the reason why there is a task team dealing with
arrears on property rates.