PARLIAMENT'S FIRE REBUILD COST DEFENDED

PARLIAMENT has defended the escalation of costs for the restoration and rebuilding of the institution's buildings that were gutted by fire in January 2022, saying the project was complex and was "not coming from the ground".

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA [e-mail]

The escalation of costs, from the initial R2 billion estimate to now more than R3 billion, was laid bare on Friday when the institution's political leaders and officials appeared before the portfolio committee that plays oversight over the national legislature.

Secretary to Parliament Xolile George said the assessments done by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure after the fire damage had estimated the costs at R2 billion, resulting in the National Treasury allocating R2 billion, for the rebuilding and restoration programme.

George also said it was only when the contractor was appointed that the R3 billion figure was arrived at with the help of quantity surveyors and architects.

"The National Treasury has been properly briefed around the cost adjustment," he said.

Special project manager Simon Mashigo confirmed that there was no overbilling.