DA weighs British help in getting answers on South Africa House | Ryan Smith

The Democratic Alliance is considering seeking help from British political parties as it tries to get answers about the costly renovation of South Africa House in London. Ryan Smith, the DA's spokesperson for international relations and cooperation, told Biznews in an interview that key information remains difficult to obtain despite a series of parliamentary questions to Minister Ronald Lamola. South Africa was closed for renovations earlier this year without any public announcement, after years of neglect of the iconic building on Trafalgar Square. Lord Peter Hain has described the neglect as "frankly disturbing and shameful." Embassy staff have now returned and the work on the exterior appears to be complete, but DIRCO is not forthcoming about what is happening inside the building and when it will be finished. Smith says DIRCO has put the cost at around R170 million, more than double the DA's earlier estimate, but has not indicated what the money is for. He says the party might now ask the UK's Liberal Democrats in London to help find out. – Linda van Tilburg