Free State contracts on the road to nowhere

Several lucrative roads contracts in the Free State have been marred by disruptions and delays, largely due to political interference and unrealistic contractual requirements, the Democratic Alliance said yesterday.

The party said this had come to light during oversight visits by the Free State legislature’s portfolio committee on infrastructure conducted across the province last week.

It said extended delays on the R261 million P44/1&2 Deneysville to Jim Fouche road rehabilitation project, a 44km stretch of road which has been under way since May 2016, had motivated the community of Deneysville and Oranjeville to submit a petition to the legislature.

“The delays have seen the thriving tourism industry in the area grind to a complete halt,” Democratic Alliance member of the provincial legislature Leona Kleynhans said.

“Occupational health and safety regulations at this project have been flouted, resulting in the deaths of six workers since the inception of the project.”

The R256 million rehabilitation project for the 50km stretch of road between Vredefort and Viljoenskroon awarded to Sedtrade in September 2017 had seen several major disruptions due to labour disputes and challenges with borrow pits, the DA said.

Similarly, the R168 million P33/2 Bothaville to Viljoenskroon project had been plagued by community protests and disputes, while the start of construction in the R184 million repair of the 48.6km road from Wesselsbron to Hoopstad was delayed to January 2018 due to community unrest. – ANA

Dr Amir Shroufi Medical co-ordinator for Doctors Without Borders in SA