Parliamentary presiding officers will meet with stakeholders, including public works minister Patricia De Lille, on Monday to assess damage and chart the way forward following a massive fire that gutted parts of the precinct on Sunday.
In a statement, the presiding officers said the 2022 state of the nation address and budget speech will not be affected and all efforts will be made to limit work disruptions.
They said significant damage has been caused to the new assembly wing, which includes the national assembly chamber, and by Sunday night the fire was almost extinguished.
“The Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the Chairpersons of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Mr Amos Masondo commended the Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services for their swift response.
"Had it not been for their prompt response, the damage could have been much worse. They responded within six minutes after they were called and alerted", they said.
Firefighters fought the blaze throughout the day, bringing under complete control the fire in the national chamber of provinces offices and continued to battle the flames in the chamber and some offices that were severely gutted by fire.
State of the nation and budget speech will not be affected by fire, say parliamentary presiding officers
Image: CoCT
Parliamentary presiding officers will meet with stakeholders, including public works minister Patricia De Lille, on Monday to assess damage and chart the way forward following a massive fire that gutted parts of the precinct on Sunday.
In a statement, the presiding officers said the 2022 state of the nation address and budget speech will not be affected and all efforts will be made to limit work disruptions.
They said significant damage has been caused to the new assembly wing, which includes the national assembly chamber, and by Sunday night the fire was almost extinguished.
“The Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the Chairpersons of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Mr Amos Masondo commended the Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services for their swift response.
"Had it not been for their prompt response, the damage could have been much worse. They responded within six minutes after they were called and alerted", they said.
Firefighters fought the blaze throughout the day, bringing under complete control the fire in the national chamber of provinces offices and continued to battle the flames in the chamber and some offices that were severely gutted by fire.
Image: CoCT
They welcomed the arrest of a 49-year old man in connection with the blaze
The presiding officers cautioned against any speculation. They also appealed for calm and to allow law enforcement to investigate the incident.
TimesLIVE
READ MORE:
Fire sparks concern over parliament opening and state of nation address
Inquest into parliament fire as well full report into March 2021 blaze vital, says public works portfolio committee
49-year-old suspect is ordinary citizen who gained access through back window, say Hawks
Red Berets call for parliament to be moved to Tshwane in wake of fire
IN PICTURES: Inside the fire at parliament
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