The project tender was advertised as “beautification of Modjadjiskloof town entrance” on the GLM’s website. Lovers Maenetje, GLM media liaison confirmed the cost of the project but did not answer the Herald’s questions regarding the planned completion date of the project and the name of the contractor at the time of going to press. “The town entrance beautification project is costing us R2.7 million.
This includes the current structure as you saw it. It still misses some plants including Modjadji cycad trees. “Please note the R2.7 million includes a duplicate structure on the entrance from Tzaneen,” Maenetje confirmed via Whatsapp. According to the tender advertisement, the project should be completed within four months from when construction starts, and the structures are planned for both the Mooketsi and Tzaneen entrances to the town.
Also read: Millions for Tzaneen’s new centre
The structures include concrete pillars and an artistic portrait of the late Rain Queen Makobo Modjadji on the right side of the road. On the left side of the road, the concrete pillars are repeated along with a “Welcome to Modjadjiskloof” sign and the Greater Letaba logo. At the time of going to press the second installment at the Tzaneen, the entrance started earthworks. The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Matome Serumula, PR councillor at the GLM, says that they will formally write a letter to the public protector’s office to probe this project.
“We want her to probe what may have happened with these funds as we can really see that the public purse has been abused over what seems to be a non-necessity while there are bigger problems facing the municipality,” says Serumula. “The DA in Letaba is perplexed and quite amazed that the municipality has taken the decision to prioritise welcome signage to the town at a cost of over R2 million.
“This is done at a time when the municipality and residents are struggling to receive services. “The mayor and his government decided to take this money and spend it on this. We are also worried as to the real cost of the project because by the look of things it is clear that this cannot cost anything more than R500 000 but for some reason, it is claimed that this costs well over R2 million,” says Serumula. “We are also interested to find out how the procurement process and service providers were actually appointed,” he adds. The Herald will follow up on the story as it unfolds.
