By REGINALD KANYANE
5 September 2025- Parliament said it rejects as false and misleading recent media reports suggesting that it is planning to spend R50 million in 2026 on the hiring of venues and broadcasting equipment. The parliament said this allegation is blatantly untrue and cannot be substantiated by any facts or official decisions.
The National Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said the parliament clarified during the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament on Wednesday that the R33,8 million for venue hire and R14,2 million for the hire of audio-visual and broadcasting equipment were merely estimates of potential future costs. Mothapo said these were included only as part of scenarios for consideration by the committee, to enable a comparative analysis of the most cost-effective options available.
“The scenarios and figures were part of options tabled for the committee’s consideration in light of ongoing challenges following the fire at Parliament in 2022 and the rebuilding process still underway
“At no stage did Parliament indicate or resolve that it intends to spend R50 million in 2026 on these items,” he said.
Mothapo further said the resolution taken by the committee was that Parliament should opt for the use of the dome, rather than the option of hiring venues and broadcasting equipment at a projected cost of R48 million. He added that the committee agreed that the dome presented a better and more cost-effective solution, as it requires a once-off amount of approximately R33 million to prepare it for appropriate functionality.
“This option further delivers long-term value because the dome will remain under government ownership and continue to be available for future events beyond the immediate project.
“As both the Department and Parliament do not currently have such a budget, a decision was taken that they will jointly approach the National Treasury for a possible further allocation,” said Mothapo.
He said this would ensure that cost constraints do not impede the ability of MPs to carry out their constitutional functions effectively and without disruption.
The Guardian 