Decade-long R94-million Mamelodi court project to get new contractor

The decade-long R94-million Mamelodi court construction will now have to be completed by a new contractor.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure announced that its contract with Fikile Construction, which was responsible for the construction of the magistrate’s court, was officially terminated in October 2023.

The spokesperson for the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure Thami Mchunu said a new contractor had not been appointed as yet, however the process to designate a service provider would soon be underway.

This follows Mamelodi residents gazing upon the unfinished building, which is supposed to be the new magistrate’s court.

It has been eight years, and the R94-million the court project remains incomplete with no sign of progress.

Mchunu said the department is in the process of appointing a contractor to complete the project after the termination of the first contractor.

The unfinished building has raised many questions among residents, who are wondering what the next step is for the project.

Mchunu said the department will appoint a contractor to complete the remaining work.

“The department does not have any technical evidence that proves that the structure may collapse; any structural damages will be identified by the professional team,” he said.

He added that any remedial work that may be required will be included in the scope of work of the new contractor that will be appointed to complete the project.

“There is additional funding required to complete the remaining work on the project,” he said.

Mchunu added that the project originally started in 2014, but community unrest and poor performance by the terminated contractor led to the project stalling in 2023.

He added that the total cost of the project was R179 711 315, including construction cost, professional fees, contract price adjustment, and provision, and so far R163 939 686 for both the contractor and professional service providers was spent.

“The court was built to provide effective judiciary services in Mamelodi and the surrounding areas based on the need analysis outcome done by the Department of Justice.”

According to Oupa Mtshweni, chairperson of the Concerned Community Service Delivery in Mamelodi, the new magistrate’s court was supposed to be finished a long time ago and serve the Mamelodi community.

“The oversight inspection conducted by the minister at the construction site last year somehow gave us hope, but the project is still on hold,” said Mtshweni.

The new building, located next to Tsamaya Road in Tsakane section, was initially scheduled for completion in 2015 but the deadline had since been moved to 2018.

The old court is small, dilapidated, and crowded, and court cases are often transferred to town.

Mtshweni also said he was one of the committee members who attended an imbizo called in Mamelodi to announce the construction of the new magistrate’s court back in 2008.

Jonas Mathebula of Mamelodi East complains that the toilets at the old court are not working and taps are leaking.

He said attending a court case sometimes is overwhelming because chances are you might spend the whole day at the court, which means you might need to use the bathroom at the magistrate’s court.

He pleaded with the government to make sure all projects were completed on time.

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