09 Jul 2013

The architectural drawings used in the construction of both Mahalapye and Palapye police stations were based on the Kasane police station but not similar in scope, the Minster of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Mr Johnnie Swartz has said.

Responding to a question in Parliament, the minister said Kasane police station was completed in July 2005 at a cost of P16 153 600. He said although Mahalapye police station was the same as the one in Kasane, the difference was the provision of 64 new houses and refurbishment of 49 old houses as well as the refurbishment of the old police station at Mahalapye compared to the provision of 31 new houses and 14 old houses which had to be refurbished at Kasane.

Mr Swartz said construction of Mahalapye station and staff houses started in February 2009, which was four years later, at a tender amount of P141 948 603.

He said a decision was taken to unbundle the refurbishment of the old police station and staff houses, which were originally part of the original contract and would now be undertaken as a separate project.  Minister Swartz said the new police station and associated housing was handed over in October 2011 adding to date, P118 566 960 had been paid but the final account of the project was still under negotiations.

Talking about Palapye police sation, he said although it was also based on the Kasane design, it was different as it had an additional floor, 70 new houses and 30 old houses as well as the old police station which had to be refurbished.

Mr Swartz said construction of Palapye station and staff houses commenced in May 2009 at a tendered amount of P146 553 694.  He said refurbishment of the old police station and staff houses were separated from the contract and the balance of the contract was handed in June 2012.

A total of P127 242 668 had been paid and the final account was still under negotiations.The minister said he was unable to give the levels of variations introduced in the Mahalapye and Palapye police stations as preparations for final accounts were still being investigated.

He said it was towards completion of Palapye project that it became apparent that the connection services such as roads, water and sewer, which are provided by other authorities, were not provided and had to be included as variations to the contract.

Minster Swartz was responding to a question from Palapye MP Moiseraele Goya who had asked if the architectural drawings used in the construction of Kasane, Mahalapye and Palapye Police Stations were the same.

He further asked the minister the amount spent in constructing each police station and if there are any variations in excess of P1 million and explanation if it is the case. ENDS