PARLIAMENT has defended the huge rise in costs to rebuild the fire-damaged “house of the people”.
Last week, it was revealed that the initial R2 billion estimate has now skyrocketed to R3.3 billion.
Secretary to Parliament Xolile George explained that it was only when a contractor was appointed that the R3 billion figure was arrived at with the help of quantity surveyors and architects.
He adds: “The National Treasury has been properly briefed around the cost adjustment.
Special project manager Simon Mashigo confirmed that there was no overbilling and that the work was scheduled to be completed in October 2026.
According to the presentation shared with MPs, more than R353 million has been spent to date.
The project experienced delays in the demolition work due to more than normal rainfall in Cape Town and the absence of as-built drawings that created limitations on demolition methodology, among other things.
The demolition work, now standing at 98%, was undertaken by Maziya General Services