Department says community is benefiting from construction project

The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport said the construction of Mapulaneng Hospital had benefited 23 SMMEs of the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, amid speculations that local people were overlooked and not hired for the project.

Bongani Frederick Dlamini, spokesperson for the department, explained that the project had benefited local communities through job opportunities and opportunities for SMMEs.

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This explanation comes a few week after members of the Bushbuckridge Chamber of Business raised their concerns regarding employment opportunities for locals in the project. This ended in a fight at the local municipality. Members of the group stormed the building, damaging the property, demanding answers.

“A total of 23 local SMMEs have thus far been engaged on the project and the number will increase as the project progresses. The department has set a target of 30% of the project cost (excluding all non-applicable cost items) for participation of local SMMEs. This target will be closely monitored by our project team for the duration of the project,” explained Dlamini.

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He  had since brushed off the allegations as untrue. He said more than 150 locals had been employed since the commencement of the project and more opportunities will be created.

“Since the commencement of the current project phases in July 2020, a total of 152 job opportunities were created thus far in the project. Job opportunities created in the project are expected to increase as the project progresses,” he said.

He added that the current hourly rate for unskilled labourers is R21,11 and this rate is considered competitive and aligned to the Department of Labour’s national minimum wage.

“Where there is discontent or disagreement between the contractors and the labourers with regards to the hourly wages for unskilled labour, the department has provided a platform for intervention through the project steering committee,” he said. The project was awarded with a planned construction duration of 60 months. The current completion date of the project is August 2026.