The K46 project to turn William Nicol Drive into a dual eight-lane carriageway seems to be limping from one disaster to another.
The project has been plunged into another crippling delay after contractors refused to resume work, citing non-payment as the reason.
Greater Diepsloot Business Forum leader, Peter Molatjane divulged to Fourways Review that the main contractor, Lubbe Construction, owes contractors more than R200 000.
“The contractors haven’t been paid since the inception of the project and are refusing to continue working without payment. I don’t understand why people were not paid when the project has a R500-million guarantor,” said Molatjane.
The leader said his organisation will continue engaging with both Lubbe Construction and the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport with a view to finding a solution.
“We expect payments to be made earlier and all assurances are to be given in writing. Work might resume at the site on 27 April,” said Molatjane.
The project has been hanging in the balance for the past three months after a dispute broke out between the contractor and the local business community over the lack of clarity on how the community’s 40 percent share was going to be disbursed.
Work then resumed for another week before being stopped again on 19 April over the chaotic system of awarding contract work.
The problem was ironed out, but still work did not resume onsite.
This time, contractors want payment before they continue providing services.
The Fourways Review news team visited the site on 25 April for an inspection and found it deserted. Heavy equipment is still grounded onsite and the site is also barricaded by stones, a clear declaration that work was on suspension.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Lubbe Construction are continuously drawing blanks.
