Secretary to Parliament Mr Xolile George said an exhaustive investigation into the security breach and subsequent fire incident at the parliamentary precinct on 1 January 2022 made significant findings that call for immediate attention and comprehensive remedial action. He said this when he shared the report on the investigation into the fire with the media at Parliament yesterday.
The investigation sought to identify the security breach that allowed an intruder unauthorised access to and unrestricted movement within the precinct for an extended period. It aimed to determine whether the breach resulted from technological, human resource, or other deficiencies.
The report emphasized that the fire could have been prevented or its extent limited, if certain measures had been in place. One such measure was the decision not to deploy Parliamentary Protection Services officers at night and on public holidays and weekends during the 2021/2022 compulsory leave period, which left Parliament vulnerable.
The investigation identified a range of systems and maintenance failures that significantly contributed to both the security breach and the failure to prevent and contain the fire. These failures encompassed issues such as the height of the perimeter fence, the absence of perimeter monitoring, a malfunctioning emergency exit door, deficiencies in fire panels, and an unreliable REMRAD system. The absence of on-site Parliamentary Protection Services officers further resulted in a lack of CCTV monitoring within the precinct.
The report underscored pressing concerns that demand prompt attention and rectification, including non-compliance with established building regulations, inadequacies in maintenance practices, and shortcomings in the Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) unit/audit. The absence of a designated Head of Security Management, the lack of a structured Security Committee, and delays in the security enhancement project were also highlighted as critical issues that are currently being addressed.
The investigation revealed pervasive non-compliance with fire regulations and requirements across multiple facets, including smoke detectors, fire alarm panels, emergency notification systems, sprinkler systems and evacuation route planning.
The report recommends consequence management procedures be considered against five parliamentary officials for various failures, including the failure to implement security policies, ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards, and establish a security committee as required.
Regarding the roles of other stakeholders, such as the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and the South African Police Service, it is recommended that the findings related to their involvement be disclosed in an appropriate forum. Additionally, consequential management and remedial action should be taken to address these shortcomings.
Mr George said in the light of the identified fire safety deficiencies, a comprehensive approach is proposed to rectify these issues, including rational fire design, detailed risk assessments, enhanced fire safety systems and regular maintenance by competent contractors.
Security enhancements are also deemed indispensable, and are being actively addressed, underscoring their paramount importance. To bolster security measures, a significant step has been taken with the establishment of a new senior position – Chief of Security – who reports directly to the Secretary to Parliament. This appointment acknowledges the critical role that a Chief of Security plays in safeguarding the integrity, safety and smooth functioning of Parliament, ensuring that all security-related concerns are promptly and effectively addressed.
The investigation’s findings underscore the urgency of implementing measures to fortify security and safety protocols within Parliament. The safety and security of Parliament’s occupants are paramount, and these actions will ensure their constitutional right to a safe working environment.
Mava Lukani
19 October 2023