BCM delegation to probe Ilitha housing row

THE Buffalo City Metro (BCM) leadership has been instructed to visit Ilitha township and report back to council on progress regarding a stalled housing project.

Ilitha residents, who live in wooden structures built in the 1970s, alleged the contractor hired to demolish and rebuild their homes left them with unfinished structures.

They claim fewer than 40 homes have been built out of 260 meant to have been completed by late last year.

However, the company, Don Civils, said residents were delaying the progress because of unrest and demands for bigger houses.

A council meeting last Wednesday instructed mayor Alfred Mtsi, deputy mayor Xola Pakati, speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele and chief whip Sangweni Matwele to do an on-site inspection.

The move comes after a report by municipal manager Andile Fani said about 50 houses had been completed. This was, however, disputed by ward councillor Thozamile Norexe.

It also comes amid claims the company had been paid more than R2million before any work was done.

“We are left with no dignity and all we hear is the company has run out of funds to finish this project,” said resident Monica Adoons.

Faniswa Matiki said some homes were standing on bricks.

A Daily Dispatch team visited the area: a few houses have been completed, with some at roof level. There were over 100 wooden structures.

Donovan Smith of Don Civils said the delays had cost them money.

“We are not to blame here. Residents have caused this and we have lost money by these delays.”

The Dispatch has seen documents revealing Don Civils has so far been paid R7 635 264.62. The entire contract is worth R26-million. Documents also reveal a dispute over an advance payment from BCM. It is alleged BCM chief operations officer Thabo Matiwane signed off on the advance.

The Dispatch has seen documents detailing authorisation of payment amounting to R2 245 979.12, which were signed and stamped by Matiwane, allegedly without any work being done. Matiwane initially agreed to meet the Dispatch, but called off the meeting at the last minute.

The first payment authorisation was for R1 258 987.50 on May 12 2014 and a second of R986 991.64 signed on July 7 2014. Smith denied receiving money in advance. “We are not at liberty to reveal our finances, but I can say we didn’t receive an advance or ask for advance payment.”

Metro spokesman Keith Ngesi said the company did ask for an advance, which was refused by Fani. “Matiwane didn’t sign any agreement for advance payment or loan to the company. The contractor did claim the advance payment but BCMM refused. The matter was then reported to the city manager for his direction and he stated it would not be approved.”

In a report before council last week, Fani states he never authorised upfront payment to Don Civils. He said the municipality relied on officials on site for information to compile the council reports. “My request would be that maybe we have a separate meeting with the consultant on site, the contractor, ward councillor and the leadership to look at this matter.

“I’m not withdrawing the report, but there is a counter on the report … our reliance on the report is at a technical level.”

Fani said: “Let me put it on record, I only know the consultant requested an advance payment and I refused to say that is against the law. I said to them, in government you only pay when services have been delivered.”

ANC councillor Sakhumzi Caga suggested the report be deferred to the next council meeting. —