With an additional R6-million having to be spent to complete the construction of the considerably delayed KwaDukuza Home Affairs offices, Public Works and Infrastructure deputy minister, Sihle Zikalala, is demanding a detailed report from the contractor.
Situated in the CBD, the project, managed by Umzulu Trading Enterprise, was initially scheduled to be signed off in March last year at a cost of R39-million but is only 70% complete.
The delays have been caused by various factors, including cash flow problems that affected the procurement of key equipment and materials.
The contractor has also faced intimidation from local business forums (construction mafia), weather-related delays, civil unrest, design setbacks and pending municipal approvals.
A significant issue was the lack of proper plans submitted to the municipality before construction began which delayed approvals for electrical connections.
Zikalala expressed his frustration about the slow progress and rising costs during his first visit to the construction site in November last year when the project was only 49% complete, sentiments he repeated during his second visit last week as part of the Siyahlola programme to address stalled government projects.
He said he required the contractor to outline a clear plan for completion. It is now expected that the offices will only be open for business by March next year.
“We cannot continue to be associated with incomplete projects and escalating costs. The government cannot keep paying for costly leases because projects are not completed on time,” Zikalala said.
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