K46 project re-opened, then closed again

DIEPSLOOT - Construction is on and off in the K46 project.

April 20, 2016

Mswazie Dube 1 minute read

CLOSED AGAIN: Greater Diepsloot Business Forum leader Peter Molatjane

The K46 impasse was unlocked a few days ago after Lubbe Construction made a commitment to give the local community their 40 percent slice of the value of the R500-million tender. The project was, however, shut down again on 20 April.

READ: Gauteng Department of Roads and Lubbe Construction remain tight-lipped on K46 impasse

Before the engines of graders and excavators could heat up to full capacity, members of the community chased the contractor off site again, citing disorderly allocations of contract work as the reason.

Leader of the Greater Diepsloot Business Forum, Peter Molatjane, told Fourways Review that work was brought to an abrupt stop again.

“After solving the initial problem, and when we thought we were moving forward, thuggery elements then manifested in the sub-contracting process. Some business people were just coming to the site demanding sub-contract work without going through the process of submitting papers for compliance verification,” said Molatjane.

Molatjane said his forum was meeting tomorrow (21 April) to iron out the confusion and expressed hope that work would proceed at the troubled site within the next few days.

“We are urging our members to submit the necessary documents like company registration papers, Black Economic Empowerment certificates, Sars clearance certificates and business banking details to the Community Liaison Officer. The suitable candidates would be interviewed and given a job,” said Molatjane.

The ward councillor of the project Rodger Makhubele echoed the same sentiments. “The closing of the site again happened today [20 April] and I am sure it is not something major but mere rules of engagement which members of the Business Forum should be able to iron out,” said Makhubele.

Makhubele said the initial impasse was solved after Lubbe Construction gave clarity on the exact 40 percent subcontract work that will be given to the local community.

“We agreed that all labour, subcontracts and machinery for hire will be sourced locally to the value of 40 percent of the tender,” said Makhubele.