News 24
Parliament - Government is to build a R12.6 million presidential arrival and departure facility at Cape Town's airport to help beef up security, Public Works Minister Stella Sigcau says.
Briefing the media in parliament, she says the tender process for the contract, to be undertaken on behalf of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) will be fast-tracked.
Sigcau says the facility will enjoy tighter security, but denies the shortened tender process is linked to last week's attacks on the United States.
"The security of the president as is required by the department of defence is important."
The project was initiated long before the attacks on the US, she says.
Part of Pace
Suspected terrorists highjacked planes and crashed them into the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, killing thousands of people.
Security at Johannesburg International Airport and other airports across the globe has been strengthened in the wake of last week's events.
Public Works Director General Tami Sokutu said the shortening of the tender process was part of the department's Programme for Accelerated Capital Expenditure (Pace).
The project did not revolve entirely around security.
"This is a complete facility. It does not focus on security only, security is just an obvious part of whatever will be done."
There was no indication at the time if the same measures would be implemented at other South African airports.
Not "privatising"
The department of defence had so far only requested changes to Cape Town International Airport, he said.
Sigcau said the department was to appoint a facilities management company to help manage the parliamentary complex, and other prestige accommodation in Cape Town.
Independent managers would also be appointed to run the Union Buildings and Bryntirion Estate in Gauteng.
"This is an important milestone on our road to value for money in the efficient management of the state fixed property portfolio."
The department issued requests for qualifications for the projects last week.
Government was not "privatising" the functions as the initiative merely brought in advisers to assist in managing facilities, she stressed.