Majola Taxi Rank handover averted following disputes between contractors and ward councillor
New date to be issued following disruptions during the official handover
KwaThema – The Vuk’uphile Programme was awarded R4.5-million to improve the Majola Taxi Rank infrastructure, which started last year in March and was meant to be completed by October the very same year, this is according to Ward 79 Clr Zwelibanzi Gift Ngwenya.
The company failed to live up to its promises as there are not much improvements made to the premises.
“We were promised new paving, which was not done.
The new doors on the stalls cannot be closed properly, which means vendors are going to have a problem with rats.
They also promised to create a car wash area for the township’s economic development, which was also not done,” says Ngwenya.
He adds that the decision to reject the handover was mainly due to the community outcry about the poor quality job done by the subcontractors.
Vuk’uphile Contractor Development Programme is a national public works programme aimed at transforming the construction industry by giving small black-owned companies training and support.
The contractors are being accused of mismanagement and outstanding payments by employees.
Thulani Mahlangu, a subcontractor, says they have done their job.
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“The prevention of the handover is politically motivated. We have done our job and have made arrangements to pay for the outstanding fees owed to workers.
“If we keep on postponing the handover, it gives criminals the opportunity to invade these stalls and create more damage,” says Mahlangu.
A resident and worker at the Vuk’uphile Programme, Saki Koaphola, says, “I have been working without pay. Promises were made but there are no follow-ups and if the contractors handover the facility now we are never going to get paid,” says Koaphola.
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Vuk’uphile Programme mentor Dimpho Taunyane adds that they are aware of the outstanding payments which are yet to be totalised and are in communication with the necessary people.
She further advised the ward councillor to formally send through his grievances regarding the infrastructure.
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