Residents of Nhlazatshe claim that a councillor allegedly did not follow the correct procedures when he hired contractors for a RDP house refurbishment tender.
The RDP houses were damaged by a hailstorm and roofs were blown off by strong winds.
According to a resident who wishes to remain anonymous, the community marched in protest on 28 June.
The disgruntled residents claimed they were uninformed about the identity of the main contractors as they were allegedly hired without a steering committee.
A sub-contractor’s application notice was recently distributed, however applicants needed to submit their documents at the Sikhulu Tuck Shop.
The Highvelder called Mr July Mbele, the councillor of Ward 20 in Nhlazatshe, who in turn referred the newspaper to the spokesman of Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality, as he is unsure if he can respond to the media.
Mr David Nthlabathi, Chief Albert Luthli Municipality spokesman, said: “Councillors do not form part of the process of hiring contractors for projects of any tender.”
The appointment of the main contractor was done by the Department of Human Settlement without the interference of the ward councillor.
Sub-contractors are appointed by the main contractor without the involvement of the ward councillor.
Mr Nthlabathi added: “The information supplied by some individuals to the media was misleading and lacking facts of what is happening in the ward.”
“The councillor and the ward committee took a decision to identify a central venue where all the interested sub-contractors will submit their documentation for application to the main contractor.”
Any community member with interest can submit their documentation.
“The challenge that the ward committee and ward councillor are faced with at Ward 20 meetings, is to discuss the project and establishment of the steering committee.
This is being disrupted by a few individuals who feel that the project is unfair.
“The contractor has since left the site because of the conflict.”
“Nothing has happened due to the disagreement on how the project should be managed.”
Mr Nthlabathi explained the municipality has since established a team to engage with all the parties involved.
They hope that the project will soon begin.
