Local contractors are upset over how sub-contractors were employed for the Colley Street Engineering Services contract, and how Municipal Manager Thabani Biyela ‘purposely ducked a meeting where the issue should have been discussed’.
The 26 contractors voiced their disappointment to Mayor Thulani Mahaye at a meeting in January, which Mr Biyela should have attended.
According to the contractors, Mr Biyela was aware of the January 30 meeting, as he was present at the previous meeting on December 19 in which it was decided to hold the meeting on this date. Mayor Mahaye told contractors that Mr Biyela had taken two days leave.
“This shows us that Mr Biyela is undermining us… there was no need for him to take leave, knowing very well that the municipality is facing a crisis. What is irritating is that he did not even bother to send an apology,” said a member. It was decided that the meeting should start without Mr Biyela.
Another irritation for the contractors was when an official, Gugu Sikhakhane, could not produce the minutes of the last contractors’ meeting. She also could not produce a report and was forced to apologise.
Sipho Kunene, Secretary of Umzinyathi Contractors and Service Providers (to which the local contractors are affiliated), said the December meeting discussed how sub-contractors would benefit from the R19-million Colley Street project.
The first was sod was officially turned last week.
Members also wanted to know from the municipality’s Supply Chain Management office which companies had received tenders over the past year. They also called for a rotation policy to ensure that local suppliers benefit.
Companies awarded tenders by the municipality should be listed on the notice board in the municipal building, and in the Courier, they said.
Officials from the Supply Chain office present at the January 30 meeting were asked to present a report, but they too could not come up with the goods.
This again caused anger, with contractors warning officials away from ‘involving yourselves in politics’.
A special sub-committee was appointed to deal with these issues. It was resolved that another meeting be called on February 6, with the sub-committee to make sure that Mr Biyela is present. After the meeting last Thursday, Mr Biyela told the Courier that ‘it went well’.
No other details were provided.
