Back to square one for incomplete R522 project?

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02-12-2024
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Zoutpansberger
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With all construction work grinding to a halt on the R522 road between Louis Trichardt and Vivo, the Road Agency Limpopo (RAL) announced this week that new plans were being developed to complete the rehabilitation project by June 2025. This follows confirmation that the contract with the previous contractor had been terminated.

For months, the stop-start approach of contractors appointed by RAL to work on the road has left road users frustrated. In July this year, RAL faced severe criticism for the snail’s pace of preventative maintenance. In mid-April, large sections of the road’s surface were removed entirely, turning parts of the road into a hazardous dirt-track deathtrap. To date, the road remains unfinished.

The dire state of this road and others under RAL’s supervision, including the R530 and R561, was highlighted in a press release on Monday by Ms Marie Helm, MPL and DA Limpopo spokesperson for Public Works, Roads, and Infrastructure.

According to Helm, RAL admitted that regional roads in very poor condition could not be repaired because of “budget constraints.”

“The DA has therefore written to the Limpopo MEC for Public Works, Roads, and Infrastructure (DPWRI), Ernest Rachoene, to undertake a review of the Roads Agency Limpopo’s budget and project management to address the terrible state of the R522, R530, and R561 roads,” said Helm.

Helm further noted that the incomplete R522 road was not only damaging vehicles but was also dangerous. “Accidents have already claimed lives,” she said.

Helm added that RAL’s failure to complete road and maintenance work on these three roads had a direct negative impact on the local economy as all three routes were of significant economic importance.

“RAL is severely under-resourced and has struggled for numerous years to fulfil its mandate. This has been exacerbated by years of poor management. RAL manages over 20,000 kilometres of roads, including about 7,000 kilometres of tarred roads and 14,000 kilometres of gravel or dirt roads. Its R2.5 billion budget is insufficient to maintain the province’s roads and address the maintenance backlog,” Helm said.

In response to a media enquiry from this newspaper, Mr Danny Legodi, RAL's senior manager for communications, confirmed that the contract with the current contractor had been terminated. “The contract for the rehabilitation of the R522 road expired and was not renewed due to unsatisfactory performance by the contractor, Tycofield. RAL is in the process of replacing the contractor,” said Legodi.

Tycofield is not the only contractor whose contract RAL has terminated in recent weeks. On 13 November, RAL announced that the contract with First Class Fabrication for the upgrade of the D3669 road had also been terminated. This project involved the rehabilitation of a 3.7-kilometre stretch of road between Mavhunga and Phadzima.

The termination of these two contracts comes amidst a period of significant turmoil within RAL. In July, the RAL Board became defunct after three of its members resigned, leaving it without a quorum. On 19 August, MEC Rachoene appointed an interim accounting authority for RAL. More recently, on 21 November, RAL announced the dismissal of its CEO, Cabriel Maluleke. This followed his suspension on 30 August on charges of dishonesty, financial misconduct, negligence, and violations of the Public Finance Management Act. His disciplinary hearing on 20 November found him guilty on all charges. MEC Rachoene welcomed the decision, stating that consequence management was a positive step towards fixing RAL, which had overcommitted R1.3 billion on projects.

RAL expressed confidence in the interim board. “The management of RAL is stable and in the capable hands of the accounting authority, Mr Moses Tseli. The DPWRI is working with the agency to ensure it delivers on its mandate within the available resources,” said Legodi.

Addressing the “budget constraints” affecting the province’s roads, Legodi said that road conditions in Limpopo remained a significant concern. “In the past six months of the 7th Administration in Limpopo, concerted efforts have been made to improve gravel roads through the Dikgerekgere programme. Projects planned for the financial year have continued, despite the challenges of overcommitment at RAL. This has been made possible by the support of the MEC for DPWRI, who ensured that funds were made available. While budget constraints remain a reality, the plan going forward is to ensure that road improvements in Limpopo proceed annually within the available resources,” said Legodi.

But what does this mean for local road users, particularly those reliant on the R522? When Tycofield’s contract was terminated, it was reported that only 15% of the project had been completed. “The expected completion date for the R522 rehabilitation is estimated to be June 2025, depending on the project commencement date,” said Legodi. However, no specific new commencement date has been provided.