MEC Speedy Mashilo clamps down on contractors

Underperforming contractors and consultants doing business with the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements will have their contracts terminated if there is no drastic improvement in delivery outputs.
This came to light in a meeting this past week between its MEC, Speedy Mashilo, and entities delivering community residential units (CRUs), social amenities and integrated human settlements projects in Mbombela.

This as the department sets out to accelerate efforts to improve performance by meeting planned targets as part of a turnaround strategy to achieve targets on megaprojects and others.
Mashilo said it has come to the department’s attention that some contractors are battling to meet set targets and as a result, projects are taking a long time to be completed.

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He appealed to contractors with capacity challenges to come forward and engage with the department to avoid their contracts being terminated.
“I want to caution all the contractors that the delivery of integrated human settlements is the centre of our mandate,” said Mashilo.

During the meeting, contractors cited issues of public unrest, business interests and the lack of bulk infrastructure as challenges delaying delivery.
An appeal was made that the department should intervene with these issues to help ensure the smooth running of projects.

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Mashilo warned contractors who are failing to deliver on time that their contracts will be terminated since they are not assisting the department in reaching its targets.
“Some of the contractors were appointed years ago and yet are still struggling to deliver, which led to a finding by the Auditor General,” stressed Mashilo.

He said the department plans to deliver 300 CRU units and social amenities this financial year in various parts of the province.