Legal processes to follow R460 million construction

The Provincial Executive Council (Exco) at its first sitting for the year approved the commencement of legal processes by the Department of Transport against both the management agent and contractor responsible for the construction of the R460 million Thohoyandou Inter-modal facility.
The three-storey facility displayed cracks and other building deficiencies upon being inspected before the agent, Intersite and contractor, MCE Consortium could hand it over to the department.
The facility, although reportedly finalised in 2014, has never been used, according to Phuti Seloba, Provincial Spokesperson.
Efious Mugwagwa, Group Chief Executive of MCE Consortium is also a director of Mnjiya Consulting Engineers, the firm responsible for the civil, structural and other engineering work on the building. Intersite is a subsidiary of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).
The intermodal facility comprises multiple taxi ranks and bus terminals and is intended to service the needs of around 27 000 commuters daily. In addition to being a transport hub, the facility comprises of office space, a retail component and informal trading space.
Intermodal facilities were targeted to be constructed in Polokwane, Makhado, Thohoyandou, Northam, Giyani, Jane Furse and Tubatse and contracts for the designs and infrastructure cost for all seven areas were reportedly awarded in May 2008. A memorandum of understanding was signed with Intersite Property Management Company to handle these as well as stakeholder consultations. The Thohoyandou facility was the first to be constructed following budgetary restraints prohibiting the construction of the others at the same time.
The project was launched on 5 May 2011 by then MEC of Roads and Transport, Pinkie Kekana.
Construction commenced in June 2011 and was to be completed in 2013.
A temporary taxi facility and taxi/bus drop-off points at the Thohoyandou Intermodal facility were completed and has been in operation since October 2011 and December 2011 respectively.
Seloba addressed the media after the Exco meeting and said the province will not tolerate shoddy workmanship. He said the building will not withstand taxis going in and out of the facility. Assessment made by engineers revealed something being very wrong. Seloba said the defects should be corrected by the end of August and is estimated to cost around R20 million to repair.

Story: NELIE ERASMUS
>>nelie.observer@gmail.com

PHoto: An artist’s impression of the Thohoyandou Inter-modal facility