Reconstruction of Parliament’s fire-damaged buildings on course, assures Didiza

CAPE TOWN - National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza says the reconstruction of Parliament’s fire-damaged buildings is on course.

It comes as the National Assembly met in a marquee on a parliamentary parking lot on Monday, to bring the house together after two years of hybrid sittings.

ALSO READ: COVID, fire, impeachments: Parly closes chapter on eventful 6th administration

During the debate on Parliament’s over R4 billion budget, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) - once again - pushed for Parliament to be moved to Gauteng, while the National Coloured Congress (NCC) alleged maladministration in the rebuild construction contracts.

The sixth administration was arguably Parliament’s most challenging in meeting as a collective - first forced away from the precinct by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and then a fire that razed the National Assembly building in 2022.

Didiza announced on Monday that Parliament had requested the use of a dome structure used for Nelson Mandela’s 2013 funeral to be erected in Cape Town for use as a chamber.

“This is the asset of the State which can be put to good use. The minister has indicated to us that the dome is available.”

She said she will meet the Development Bank and the Department of Public Works on Thursday to discuss progress in the rebuild.

Meanwhile, NCC member of Parliament (MP) Fadiel Adams has cried foul.

“Parliament has appointed a maintenance contractor which is a construction company. There’s a difference between maintenance and construction and that’s a red flag to us.”

Didiza pledged to check whether the service providers are fit for purpose.