The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. I have been informed that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), the respective Provincial Departments of Social Development (DSD), and their respective Infrastructure Departments; after having engaged extensively, have agreed that the method of disposal of these shelters will be that of Donation. In the meantime, all parties have resolved that User Agreements will be signed. The signing of the User Agreements will enable DSD to occupy the aforementioned properties. The Agreements have been prepared and are being signed by the various parties.
2. DPWI is mandated to ensure that its assets are safeguarded and kept in good condition at all times. Furthermore, DPWI intends to provide the properties in a habitable state and ready for DSD to use by victims of gender-based violence and femicide.
DPWI will not be recovering any funds from DSD, due to the fact that the delay in occupation is not due to any of the Departments’ doing, but rather the fact that the three departments needed to finalize the governance structure of how the properties will be managed. It has now been agreed that the properties will be donated to the user departments and that User Agreements will be signed in the meantime as a governance structure to allow DSD to use the properties.