Budget constraints led to SAPS HQ in Pretoria falling into complete disrepair, MPs told
Earlier this month, Police Minister Bheki Cele referred to the Telkom Towers building as the 'Terrible Towers' and told Parliament he’d been working from home for the last four years because the building was uninhabitable.
The SAPS head office at the Telkom Towers Building in Pretoria. Picture: Google Maps
CAPE TOWN - Deputy Minister of Public Works Bernice Swarts said that budget constraints led to the police service’s headquarters in Pretoria falling into complete disrepair.
Earlier this month, Police Minister Bheki Cele referred to the Telkom Towers building as the "Terrible Towers" and told Parliament he’d been working from home for the last four years because the building was uninhabitable.
Answering questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Swarts said it had been difficult to maintain the building while it was being occupied by the police.
Government bought the Telkom Towers complex in 2016 for R700 million.
But after labour and health inspections last month, the police were forced to evacuate the building.
Swarts said the department had prioritised occupational health and safety compliance over maintenance.
"The timelines for starting the refurbishment process on Telkom Towers will start from April till October, whereby the service providers will be appointed subject to National Treasury endorsement."
She said construction work could take up to 36 months.
Questioned by the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s Sello Seitlholo on why no one was taking responsibility for the building falling into disrepair, Swarts had this to say: "Trying to renovate and fix a property with tenants inside was never going to work at all at the same time."
Swarts said the department was trying to improve its internal capacity to maintain the 88,000 buildings in its portfolio rather than rely on contractors.