'Do us proud': Parly officials hand over fire-damaged buildings to contractor for rebuild
Two billion rand has already been set aside to for the rebuild but Parliament has previously indicated it will need at least a billion more for ICT infrastructure.
The presiding officers of Parliament, Lechesa Tsenoli and Amos Masondo, together with the Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George, hand over the keys of the building to the contractors to begin reconstruction work on 9 May 2024. Picture: Lindsay Dentlinger/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - Parliament's presiding officers have officially handed over buildings destroyed by a suspected arson attack in 2022 to the contractor.
Work to restore the gutted buildings is now set to start with urgency.
Two billion rand has already been set aside to for the rebuild but Parliament has previously indicated it will need at least a billion more for ICT infrastructure.
In a symbolic handing over of keys at Parliament on Thursday afternoon, Acting Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli appealed to the contractor to stay on the straight and narrow.
"Do us proud. We don't want to hear questions about things you've done, that you should have done differently."
It’s been more than two years since the National Assembly building was gutted by fire. LD pic.twitter.com/kLAp0f1FoI
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 9, 2024
Acting speaker Lechesa Tsenoli hands over the keys to contractor, Lucky Lucky Qotoyi from Maziya General Services. LD pic.twitter.com/eWE13vMgWq
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 9, 2024
Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Amos Masondo, said Parliament was mindful of ensuring this rebuild sticks both to deadline and to budget.
"The burning of Parliament was a set back but we want to turn that around and make it a positive development."
Maziya General Services has been awarded the reconstruction job under the watchful eye of the Development Bank of South Africa.
The rebuild is not expected to be completed until early 2026.