Latest news with #Duma
IOL News
2 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
KZN Transport MEC terminates R87. 8 million road contract due to delays
MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma has terminated a road construction contract due to the contractor's failure to deliver, citing prolonged delays and public frustration. 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
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Stapleton Road contract terminated over failure to deliver
THE KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has instructed the head of the department to accelerate the termination of the road construction contract on Stapleton Road due to the contractor's failure to deliver. In a statement responding to the Highway Mail's enquiry that the ongoing delays on the construction project included financial issues, the MEC said the contractor had 'failed to deliver' despite the extensions which had been granted. Duma also said over the past 400 days in office, he had 'unfortunately' received complaints from the public about prolonged construction on the road. The MEC said this termination comes after the construction was inspected, weekly progress meetings were held, and support was given to the contractor. Also read: Ongoing delays on Stapleton Road include financial issues 'The Head of the Department, Siboniso Mbele, has been mandated to accelerate the termination process. The intention and notice to terminate was issued on the 04 July 2025. The contractor was given 14 days to substantially increase progress, failing which the termination process would begin. Sadly, there has been no improvement; hence, we are proceeding with termination. The department is currently re-measuring incomplete works and will start drafting a tender document for appointing a new contractor to complete the project,' said Duma. The MEC said the contractor is expected to continue working until the termination process is finalised and is expected to ensure that the road is safe before moving off site. 'As an elected public representative, I must be accountable to the people of this province and take the people of the province into confidence in some of the challenges the department faces. A lot of blame, at times rightly so, has been placed at the feet of the department as the custodian of public transportation. However, the reality is that we have contractors who are failing to honor their contracts. It is for these reasons we are acting firmly as the department. 'Critically, we wish to announce that as of today onwards, we will be implementing punitive measures to ensure that we recover monies from those contractors who have abandoned road construction projects and those who will fail to complete projects on time. This is a demonstration of our firm commitment to ensure that taxpayers' money is not misused,' said Duma. The road – P577-02 which runs along the M5 between Cowie's Hill and New Germany, linking the M13 to the M19 – was handed over to the contractor on June 9, 2023. About R87.8m was set aside for the rehabilitation of the road where construction began on August 2, 2023, with the initial completion date set for May 24, 2024. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here
LeMonde
15 hours ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
Russia sees push for return of official censorship
Sentences handed down to writers and artists, restrictions on the distribution of films, redacted books and limited internet access: the Kremlin has been relentlessly tightening its grip on the free circulation of ideas. However, it has yet to formally restore censorship as it existed in the USSR, which is currently prohibited by the Russian Constitution. On Wednesday, July 23, lawmakers in the Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament, passed a law that, starting January 2026, will require film distributors to obtain a label from the Ministry of Culture certifying that the works they plan to release comply with "traditional Russian spiritual and moral values." Another law, passed the previous day, sets fines for internet users seeking "extremist content" online. Unenforceable in its current form because it criminalizes intent, which is hard to prove, this piece of legislation at the very least helps to foster a climate of fear and self-censorship. "This legal vagueness suits the authorities. Every Russian lives with the sword of Damocles hanging over their head. Fear drives people to remain silent. The Kremlin exercises arbitrariness whenever it can; the laws it enacts are insidious, which makes everyone feel they could be targeted," said sociologist Alexis Berelowitch.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Transforming KwaZulu-Natal: MEC Sibuniso Duma's achievements in housing and transport
MEC Siboniso Duma looks back on his 400 days in office, heading the Human settlements and Transport portfolio in KZN Image: Supplied Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma characterised his first 400 days in office as a significant leap forward, which aligned with the key implementation of the Freedom Charter's principles. Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, Duma reflected on the collaborative efforts with traditional leadership, successful housing initiatives, and ongoing challenges within his departments. One of the crowning achievements Duma noted was the strengthened relationships with traditional leaders across KwaZulu-Natal, which came about through frequent engagements that ensured local support for government projects aimed at disaster responses. 'The Amakhosi have agreed to make land available for our responses to disasters,' Duma stated, which pointed to an important collaboration for future endeavours. Duma revealed that the Human Settlements department fully subsidised 7,976 homes, which positively impacted communities and ensured that over 900 building sites were established for public use. 'We built 5,030 houses for rural residents and provided homes for 464 vulnerable individuals, while also registering 1,638 title deeds for community members,' he added proudly. 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 Among the department's highlights, Duma lauded the acquisition of Montclair Lodge from Transnet for R33 million. This facility, which was set to be repurposed into government-owned transitional emergency accommodation for flood victims, featuring 268 rooms and a capacity for 600 individuals. The lodge was anticipated to house flood victims, from December 2025 or January 2026, which would provide a strategic response to seasonal flooding threats. 'This historic milestone will greatly reduce reliance on private facilities for emergency accommodations,' Duma explained, expressing optimism for the future. On the transport front, Duma announced a landmark investment of over R13 billion for developing the province's infrastructure, enhancing public transportation, and enforcing road safety in the upcoming financial year. This investment was not about roads only; but was a crucial portion of the government's broader plan to tackle poverty and inequality. However, Duma mentioned that a harsh reality was the department's budget constraints. Despite a monthly requirement of R1.1 billion to pay service providers, the department recently received only R800 million and, in the previous month, R560 million. 'This means our vision for a 30-day payment turnaround will be compromised,' he lamented, promising to engage with Provincial Treasury for a resolution. Seeking to stimulate local economies while addressing the needs of residents, Duma expressed his commitment to tackling delays in housing construction. 'We've reduced blocked housing projects from 68 to 15,' he said, while also addressing persistent local opposition to new development initiatives. 'There is a need for community understanding; the Not in My Backyard syndrome continues to hinder progress.' Despite these challenges, Duma emphasised the importance of partnership with religious and traditional leaders to create inclusive conversations around government programmes. Through prayer days and various forums, he aimed to empower communities to monitor the effectiveness of resources directed to them. 'We have noted the need to join hands; while we invest heavily in infrastructure and service delivery, engagement with the community is vital to ensure these resources reach those in need,' he concluded. DAILY NEWS
eNCA
3 days ago
- eNCA
Drunk KZN taxi driver sought after causing accident and fleeing
EMPANGENI - KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma has vowed to take tough action against drunk and reckless drivers who flee accident scenes. This comes after a major crash on the R34 between Empangeni and Eshowe, where an allegedly heavily intoxicated taxi driver caused a collision and ran away. READ: SA's road carnage | Probe into two KZN accidents underway The minibus, carrying family members traveling from Empangeni to eMasangweni, reportedly tried to overtake a Ford Ranger before clipping its rear and forcing both vehicles off the road and down an embankment. Duma says the driver's actions amount to a hit-and-run and could have claimed the lives of up to fourteen passengers. He wants the suspect to face prosecution and a sentence of up to nine years in prison or a fine of R180,000. READ: Truck driver in the N3 deadly crash on the run This is the second case this month involving a drunk driver disappearing after a crash. Duma is urging the public in Empangeni and Eshowe to assist police with any information that could lead to the driver's arrest.
