Q&A’s, 2006

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
IQP NO 34 -2006 Dated 20 October 2006 

Question 1511

Mr. JPI Blanche, MP to ask Minister of Public Enterprises:

1. With the regards to the lives lost and the damage caused by the fire in the informal settlement under the road bridge where the N7 highway crosses the railway line and the road to Acacia Park near Goodwood, (a) what is the cost of the damage to the bridge and (b) who is responsible for this cost;

2. Whether (a) Transnet, (b) any other parastatal and (c) the Government are taking any steps to prevent squatting on government property; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply

1. The Acacia Park Informal Settlement is not on Transnet land, although next to the railway line. The land underneath the bridge and the road surface (tar) belong to the Department of Public Works (DPW), but the bridge belongs to Transnet.

(a) The current estimated cost of the refurbishment of the bridge at Vanguard drive is at R500 000. The engineers are still conducting tests on the structure and will submit a detailed report in due time.

(b) Transnet will be responsible for the repairing costs of the bridge.

2. (a-c) In order to minimise to Transnet operations and the loss of life and injury, Transnet embarks on the relocation of squatters on its land within the ambit of the laws. SOE reporting DPE are making a concerted effort to ensure that the property is protected.