Following the complaints of alleged rats, snakes and frogs infestation in parliamentary villages in Cape Town, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has put a snake and mole programme in place.
According to News24, Public Works Minister, Patricia De Lille confirmed that the matter was currently being taken care of. This was in response to a parliamentary question flagged by DA MP, Madeleine Hicklin on December 30, 2021.
A number of concerns were raised by Hicklin including the reports of highly venomous snakes that were seen at the Acacia Park parliamentary village recently.
Hicklin also wanted confirmation from De Lille on when a permanent contract would be signed that stated the grounds in parliamentary villages would be maintained correctly and by when the situation would be addressed after it was reported that Laboria Park was infested with snakes, rats and frogs as the grass in both villages had not been cut in many years.
De Lille confirmed that she had been informed by the department and that the facilities management contract would only be effective by March 1, 2022.
However, a snake and mole programme has been put in place at Acacia Park and snake repellents would be sprayed around all houses, while fumigation tablets would be put into the tunnels of moles, De Lille said. However, she rejected claims that there was an infestation of rats, snakes and frogs at Laboria Park parliamentary village or that the grass has not been cut in many years.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the DA is currently accusing Patricia De Lille of not safeguarding Parliament, reports EWN, as there were warning signs of a disaster way before the fire broke out on Sunday, January 2.
Party leader, John Steenhuisen joined by member of Parliament Natasha Mazzone, Public Works Shadow Minister Samantha Graham and deputy Chief Whip, Siviwe Gwarube for a briefing outside Parliament on Tuesday morning, January 4.
Gwarube confirmed that De Lille’s department was in fact aware of the insufficient security protective measures and the party believes there were definitely clear warning signs.
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