KZN Transport MEC terminates R87. 8 million road contract due to delays
Image: SUPPLIED
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has terminated a road construction contract for failure to deliver, citing prolonged delays and public frustration.
Duma has confirmed the termination of a contract for the construction of road P577-02, which links Cowie's Hill and New Germany to the M13 and M19. The R87.8 million contract was awarded to a contractor on 9 June 2023, with work beginning on 2 August 2023. The project was due to be completed by 24 May 2024.
However, more than 14 months later, Duma said the contractor had failed to make adequate progress despite receiving support, oversight, and deadline extensions.
'We have taken a decision to terminate the contract,' Duma said during a media briefing at Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House on Tuesday. 'In the past 400 days of his tenure, I have been receiving complaints from members of the public about prolonged construction.'
Duma said a notice of intention to terminate the contract was issued on 4 July 2024, giving the contractor 14 days to show significant progress or face cancellation. 'Sadly, there has been no improvement,' he said.
The provincial transport department has now begun re-assessing the incomplete works and will start drafting a new tender document to appoint a replacement contractor. In the interim, the current contractor is expected to continue work until formally removed and must ensure road safety before demobilising.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Head of Department Siboniso Mbele has been tasked with fast-tracking the termination process.
The department did not indicate how much had already been paid to the contractor.
Duma said the department would no longer tolerate delays that inconvenience residents and undermine public trust. 'A lot of blame, at times rightly so, has been placed at the feet of the department,' he said. 'However, the reality is that we have contractors who are failing to honour their contracts.'
He also announced that the department would begin recovering funds from contractors who abandon projects or fail to complete them on time. 'This is a demonstration of our firm commitment to ensure that taxpayers' money is not misused,' Duma said.
The department has not named the contractor but confirmed that punitive measures would be implemented in future to prevent similar delays.
THE MERCURY
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Bridge delays drag on
It has been two weeks since repairs to the Mzimkhulu River bridge came to an abrupt halt. Emergency repairs were supposed to run for six months but, with delays and issues in trying to close the river mouth, the October deadline does not look like it will be met. Leon Garbade (DA councillor in Ray Nkonyeni Municipality), said the ongoing issue of unpaid contractors, who have understandably ceased work, only serves to exacerbate an already dire situation. He said that observing the bridge, and what is labelled a construction site under Siboniso Duma's (MEC for Transport and Human Settlements) oversight, reveals a disheartening lack of progress with little to show, even during periods of contractor activity. 'We stand with the affected communities and demand immediate action from the Department of Transport (DoT) to revive this project and others that have similarly faltered. It is time to stop placing blame elsewhere and to focus on getting the government's house in order,' said Garbade. Nazir Shaikh, chairperson of the North Cluster Ratepayers' Association, said the operations of the DoT throughout the South Coast have ceased, including on Marine Drive. 'Regrettably, the public remains inadequately informed. An inspection of the bridge on Monday last week revealed an absence of workers and that construction machinery had been removed from below the bridge. In addition, the condition of the P464 roadway is deteriorating daily, with motor vehicle breakdowns and accidents occurring on a weekly basis,' he said. Meanwhile, Duma said in last Friday's Re-tabling of Budget speech that of the R13b budget, the DoT would need between R1.1b and R1.2b on a monthly basis to pay service providers. This applies to contractors who are responsible for the maintenance and construction of more than 54km of road networks on the South Coast. He said that the migration with regards the accounts payment system had given problems due to technical glitches, resulting in delays in the payment of invoices. Duma explained that currently, the DoT is getting only R800m from the provincial treasury and last month only received R560m. In short, it means ensuring payment to service providers within 30 days is not currently possible. Duma said the DoT would continue to engage with the provincial treasury to consolidate gains and address this challenge, in particular. 'The department has internalised the fact it will be blamed for not paying invoices, despite having enough budget,' he said. 'This has affected all government departments and the matter is being managed collectively. We have also briefed the Auditor General.' The spokesperson for the DoT, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, explained that the main aim for the bridge project now is to divert the water from pillar two to pillar eight, which has taken more than three months. 'Once closure of the mouth is concluded at pillar two the project will intensify.' HAVE YOUR SAY Like the South Coast Herald's Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
IOL News
01-08-2025
- IOL News
MEC Siboniso Duma takes a stand against illegal RDP house sales in KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma addresses rising concerns over the illegal sale of RDP houses in KwaZulu-Natal, urging community cooperation to combat criminal activities and protect vulnerable families. Image: File In response to rising complaints regarding the unauthorised sale of Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses in KwaZulu-Natal, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma has pledged to take decisive action against any form of criminality associated with these government-built homes. The RDP initiative is designed to provide low-income South African families with access to decent housing. On Friday, Duma highlighted a rise in reports over the past few weeks from community members and councillors who are alarmed by the illegal transactions involving RDP houses. 'In particular, there has been a groundswell of complaints about the illegal selling of RDP houses to illegal foreign nationals in various parts of the province,' said Duma. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He said the department has also received a letter from the representatives of the March-and-March organisation in Nquthu within the Umzinyathi District Municipality requesting that he intervene as the executive authority. 'I am committed to acting firmly and decisively against any form of criminality to protect innocent communities. We build houses for South Africans in need of shelter, not for profit by greedy and irresponsible individuals,' said Duma. The MEC urged the people of KwaZulu-Natal to unite with the department in publicly condemning these irresponsible and greedy acts. Duma appealed to anyone with information regarding the illegal sale of RDP houses to report such activities using the following call centre numbers: WhatsApp: 060 1055505 and Toll-free: 080 005 5505. 'For the record, as the department, we will never turn a blind eye to complaints and expressions of anger against the alleged use of RDP houses for illegal activities such as selling drugs and hideouts for hitmen and other criminals,' he stated. In this regard, the department undertakes to work with law enforcement agencies to flush out criminals from our human settlements, he said. 'Critically, we wish to send a strong message that it is a criminal offence to sell the RDP house within the first eight years of ownership without permission from the Department of Human Settlements,' warned Duma. Duma further warned that those who illegally sell their RDP houses 'will forfeit their homes'. He noted that in terms of the Housing Amendment Act, any beneficiary who intends to sell the RDP house within or after eight years should approach the Department of Human Settlements. 'The department will inherit the property and work with the municipalities to hand it over to a qualifying member of the community on the waiting list,' he said. Duma also committed to collaborating on this matter with the South African Human Rights Commission, Public Protector, and Auditor-General of South Africa. 'We want to account for every cent of South Africans and to show public accountability,' he said. According to reports, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane noted a surge in complaints regarding RDP houses occupied by foreign nationals this week. Simelane also clarified that RDP houses can only be sold to deserving South African nationals who are part of the policy cover. Simelane noted that during izimbizos, residents complain about unregistered foreign nationals occupying new RDP houses while unemployed citizens are denied. The minister also alluded that the government is working on a White Paper on housing, which reviews the entire housing policy, adding that the provision of free houses in South Africa has proven to be unsustainable. Thapelo Mohapi of Abahlali baseMjondolo reportedly stated that meaningful government consultation with house recipients would prevent the sale or rental of RDP houses. He linked informal settlements near cities to people seeking economic opportunities and avoiding travel costs, attributing this to the government's failure to engage meaningfully on housing developments, often relocating residents far from economic hubs.
The Citizen
01-08-2025
- The Citizen
KZN department to crack down on illegal RDP house sales
KZN human settlements has vowed action against individuals selling RDP houses to illegal foreign nationals. The KwaZulu-Natal department of human settlements has promised to act firmly against individuals selling RDP houses to illegal foreign nationals. The department has received complaints from community members and councillors about people selling RDP houses built by the department. 'In particular, there has been a groundswell of complaints about the sale of RDP houses to illegal foreign nationals in various parts of the province,' MEC for transport and human settlements Siboniso Duma said on Thursday. Beneficiaries selling RDP house to illegal foreign nationals Representatives from the March and March movement also sent the MEC a letter asking him to intervene in the issue. March and March is a non-governmental organisation campaigning against the employment of undocumented foreign nationals in South Africa. The MEC said he would act firmly against any forms of criminality in the interests of innocent communities. ALSO READ: Activists, unions welcome SIU's investigation into corruption in the City of Mbombela 'We are building houses for South Africans who are in need of shelter, not for the generation of profit by greedy and irresponsible individuals,' Duma said. He called on the people of the province to stand with the department in publicly denouncing this 'irresponsible and greedy' act. 'For the record, as the department, we will never turn a blind eye to complaints and expressions of anger against the use of RDP houses for illegal activities such as selling drugs and hideouts for hit men and other criminals,' the MEC said. Houses can't be sold within first eight years of ownership without permission Selling an RDP house within the first eight years of ownership without permission from the department is a criminal offence. Those who are doing it will forfeit their houses. According to the Housing Amendment Act, the department of human settlements should be contacted by any beneficiary who plans to sell an RDP home during the eight years. The department will inherit the property and work with the municipalities to hand it over to a qualifying member of the community on the waiting list. ALSO READ: Department of human settlements warns of online house scams 'We undertake to work with the South African Human Rights Commission, Public Protector and Auditor-General of South Africa on this matter,' Duma said. 'We want to account for every cent to South Africans and to show public accountability.' The department said it would work with law enforcement and urged anyone with information about the illegal sale of RDP houses to use the following call centre numbers: • WhatsApp: 060 1055505 • Toll-free: 080 005505
