Calls for investigation into roads issue
AFRIFORUM’S Pongola branch has requested the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ (COGTA) involvement in Pongola’s unfinished roads issue, which is negatively impacting the town’s businesses.
COGTA has been asked to investigate the tender process and contracts relating to the repairing of Martin and Piet Retief streets.
This after Pongola Municipality allegedly refused to provide Afriforum with an action plan on how the streets would be repaired.
The job should have been finished in May, but the sub-contractor reportedly withdrew from the project owing to nonpayment.
According to Marilda Schoombee of Afriforum’s Pongola branch management, local businesses are suffering major losses because the roads to and from their businesses are mostly inaccessible.
‘The unfinished streets are eroded and becoming more dangerous by the day, and we are worried about the safety of motorists and residents,’ said Schoombee.
‘We often see that contracts are awarded to friends of officials or to unfit people, which results in the use of subcontractors,’ said Eugene van Aswegen, AfriForum’s Provincial Coordinator for KZN.
‘This results in municipal infrastructure funds being put under pressure and opportunities for fraud being created.’
COGTA KZN was contacted for comment but did not respond.