PAP's computers stolen

2005-11-28 23:36

Johannesburg - Thieves have made off with computers bought by the South African government for the Pan-African parliament's (PAP)new building in Midrand.

PAP monetary and financial affairs committee secretary Wycliffe Oparanya told reporters that complaints were raised from the floor, during discussions on the parliament's 2006 budget on Monday morning, about ill-equipped offices.

South Africa was responsible for providing PAP offices with basic furniture, computers and telephones. But this had not been done.

"We received an explanation from the South African government that some of the computers they bought were stolen," Oparanya said.

He did not know how many computers were lost, or their value.

The government said it was replacing the stolen equipment and would have the PAP offices fully fitted out for its next session in March, Oparanya said.

The PAP unanimously approved a budget on Monday of just over $24m for next year.

Of that, nearly $12m would come from the African Union (AU) mother body, and the rest from member countries.

- SAPA