First rain destroys R9.3m road

Villagers irate over ‘inferior’ job done

ADESPERATELY needed road built using an alternative surfacing material has not withstood its first baptism of rain and now residents of Matatiele are demanding answers.

Residents of Sijoka administrative area have written to public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane urging her to investigate the tender for the R9.3million road linking Komani and Kokstad.

The disputed 6.5km stretch in Sijoka administrative area links a number of villages.

Mkhuseli Siphika, owner of Manong Construction and Projects (MCP), told the Dispatch that the road had been a pilot project.

“We used alternative surfacing tar material, not what you will find on main roads. We did everything right, including bridges, but the weather eroded what we’ve done. We used alternative surfacing material not your normal tar,” he said.

It was not clear what alternative material the company used. The consulting engineers for the project, SDM, is owned by Lonwabo Sambudla, the former CEO of the ANC Youth League’s investment division Lembede Investments.

For a number of years, residents blockaded the main R56 between Mount Fletcher and Matatiele, which links Komani and Kokstad, demanding their roads be fixed.

The municipality eventually awarded the work to MCP. But according to residents, it crumbled quickly, with gutters swept away by rain months after they were built.

Matatiele resident Wandile Mafunda, a road expert, said the road did not meet any of the standard specifications.

“This is a scandal that needs to be investigated by the Hawks. This is corruption, incompetency and utter disregard for the best interests of the community of Sijoka,” he said.

Municipal spokeswoman Olwethu Gwanya said the road was still under construction but rain had ruined the project.

“The total amount of the project is R9.3-million excluding consultant fees, and 83% of the amount has been paid to the contractor. The project is supposed to be completed by March but the floods were a serious setback and this natural cause dragged the completion date. It is now 87% complete,” said Gwanya.

However, Mafunda said the road needed to be started from scratch.

A letter of acknowledgement from the public protector has been seen by the Dispatch, promising that the complaint will be assessed.

Siphika said they had a meeting with the municipality.

“We are not abandoning the project; we are waiting for material to arrive and we will finish it.”

SDM said they were not in a position to respond to questions sent by the Dispatch without the municipality’s consent and advice. —