#Parliament City - Mixed Use - CBD | Proposed

[Mo Rush]

Parliament expansion plans 'lavish'

Plans to spend hundreds of millions at parliament on a new debating chamber and banqueting hall, among other buildings, are an "extreme act of self-indulgence", says the Democratic Alliance (DA).

An amount of R387-million had been set aside from parliament's budget for massive and lavish extensions, DA Chief Whip Ian Davidson told a parliamentary media briefing on Wednesday.

However, efforts to establish the total cost of the project, through questions posed by him at meetings of the Parliamentary Oversight Authority (POA) in July and August this year, had been fruitless.

"Nobody could give me an accurate costing," Davidson complained.

The project, including executive suites, a banquet hall, a new main debating chamber, information centre and an office block, including residential quarters, came at a time when there was a "crying need" for funds for other more urgent projects.

The project was also "shrouded in secrecy, with no transparency".

Davidson said the project's architect was Luyanda Mpahlwa, brother of Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa, who was with the firm MMA Architects.

"There was no public tender for this [appointment]," he said.

It was also unclear who took the decision to go ahead with the project, and when this was done. Parliamentarians themselves knew little about it.

"At the very least, parliamentarians should be informed of these Mad Hatter schemes," he said.

Documents distributed to journalists at Wednesday's briefing included a copy of a reply - sent on August 2 this year - by the Secretary to Parliament, Zingile Dingani, to questions on the project.

Asked what body was authorised to approve the building plans, and when this approval was granted, Dingani replied in the letter: "The conceptual plans for the proposed extensions were approved by the POA."

Davidson said he had checked with colleagues and other parliamentarians, but was unable to find any such approval in the minutes of POA meetings.

Dingani also said the basis for approval of the project stemmed from an absence of facilities.

"Parliament (and the presidency) does not have suitable banqueting facilities; the NA [National Assembly] chamber is too small for joint sittings and is not divisible for smaller needs... The suites for the president and deputy president do not have ablution facilities."

Further, the Speaker's suite was "too small and impractical for current requirements", Dingani said.

Davidson said these claims were questionable. Joint sittings only took place two or three times a year, and there were more than adequate banqueting facilities available in Cape Town, including at the city's new convention centre.

He acknowledged parliament had grown in recent years, but said "what is needed is a moderate proposal that befits the times we live in".

He expected the cost of the project "to go into the billion rand figure".

Such expenditure was "an extreme act of self-indulgence", Davidson said.

Comment from Parliament was not immediately available. Media officer Nolizwi Magwagwa told Sapa a statement on the matter would be issued later in the day. - Sapa

Quickwire

Published on the Web by IOL on 2007-10-10 13:25:49
© Independent Online 2005. All rights reserved. IOL publishes this article in good faith but is not liable for any loss or damage caused by reliance on the information it contains.

[Lydon]

I'm all for renovations but I don't think most of the members of parliament act grown-up enough to justify owning what they have now. It's amazing how they spend money where it isn't needed.

[Mo Rush]

Originally Posted by Lydon

I'm all for renovations but I don't think most of the members of parliament act grown-up enough to justify owning what they have now. It's amazing how they spend money where it isn't needed.

well as long as they spending it in cape town and in the cbd
while the details seems fuzzy..the actual expansion is a good thing..now lets just make sure there is no corruption in terms of tenders

[Lydon]

Knowing this government anything is possible...BUT positivity is key! :P

[SA BOY]

bannana republic style!!

[Durbsboi]

Originally Posted by Lydon

I'm all for renovations but I don't think most of the members of parliament act grown-up enough to justify owning what they have now. It's amazing how they spend money where it isn't needed.

Couldnt agree with you more.

[dysan1]

agree. Yes keep the place up to standard, But R350m odd is excessive for a glorified nursery school/creche

[Inertia]

Originally Posted by Mo Rush

well as long as they spending it in cape town and in the cbd
while the details seems fuzzy..the actual expansion is a good thing..now lets just make sure there is no corruption in terms of tenders

So if it was being spent in the Joburg CBD would it be a waste of money?

[Mo Rush]

Originally Posted by dysan1

agree. Yes keep the place up to standard, But R350m odd is excessive for a glorified nursery school/creche

it is excessive...lets hope the plans and ideas match the price tag

[Mo Rush]

Originally Posted by dysan1

agree. Yes keep the place up to standard, But R350m odd is excessive for a glorified nursery school/creche

Parliament set for R1.4bn makeover


Lynnette Johns 03 November, 2007 Cape Argus

Parliament's planned massive revamp could cost R1.4 billion over the next five years.

[Mo Rush]

Parliament Precint

Project Description

Parliament Precinct was developed to create a mixed use development within one of the oldest parts of Cape Town.

It is in close proximity to The House of Parliament and the Company’s Garden. Rust-en-Vreugd is a provincial heritage site, and is located in the heart of the development.

The development of Parliament Precinct is aimed at the following:

* The creation of public and semi-public squares with active retail edges.
* The development of a hotel development on freedom square
* Parliament Walk is a pedestrian street, linking Roeland Steet with the rest of the development
* Establishing an address for the historically important buildings such as Rust-en Vreugd
* The creation of accommodation for member of Parliament

The majority of the land is owned by Parliament and Eurocape Investments.

[Pule]

Its gonna be a beuty, thanks for the find Mo.

[Lydon]

Now that I see the renders I don't mind the money-spending anymore, haha.

[Mo Rush]

"freedom" square...how original

[Durbsboi]

Freedom is a coined phrase for SA now, lol

[Caisson Boy]

Looks like they're gonna be doing up some of those hideous buildings in Plein Street too... like SARS... Bring it on, it can only be an improvement. And it will be good to have more public space in this part of town... (I'm sure the Bergies will agree too!)

[Pule]

Lucky bustards!

[EduardSA]

Is this project still on? Or did recent events change the parliament's mind?

[Mo Rush]

August 2008

[annman]

WOWeeeeee!!! Saw some of the stuff at the DHK office in April, but not these new aerial 3D renderings... Cool Cool Cool! Thanks a mil Mo!