New contractor to finish road after project was 'abandoned'

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05-11-2024
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Zoutnet
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Residents of Mavhunga and the surrounding areas are demanding accountability after the contractor in charge of rehabilitating a 3.7-kilometre stretch of the D3669 road, leading from Mavhunga to Phadzima, allegedly abandoned the project.

The MEC for Public Works, Roads, and Infrastructure, Mr Ernest Rachoene, handed over the project to a new contractor on Wednesday, 23 October.

Work began in June last year, but activities came to a standstill eight months later. The contract, valued at R39 million, was supposed to be completed by June; however, the project was halted in January and is estimated to be only 14% complete.

According to an internal report by Road Agency Limpopo (RAL), the contractor, First Class Fabrication, abandoned the construction project in January this year. A new contractor, RSMM Construction, has now been tasked with completing the road. The budget for completing the project has also escalated to R62.96 million.

Allegations include that the previous contractor failed to pay local subcontractors and workers. According to Rachoene, the project will take 10 months to complete, with the completion date set for July 2025.

Rachoene urged community members to cooperate with the contractor throughout the construction period to avoid delays.

Mr Aubrey Tlhapa, the owner of First Class Fabrication, responded by stating that he was taking legal action against RAL for the alleged unfair termination of the contract. Tlhapa claimed that the termination was politically motivated, asserting that he had received the termination letter only after a new contractor had already been appointed. He also accused RAL of sabotaging the project.

RAL maintained its stance that Tlhapa’s company had abandoned the site for more than eight months and failed to complete the project by the agreed deadline.

One local resident, Mr Pfarelo Masutha, expressed disappointment, saying they had hoped the project would be finished by now. “It's just a big mess, and my biggest concern is that the infrastructure is starting to get damaged, which is a waste of money,” Masutha said.