POLOKWANE – D-day for the completion of the construction of the Polokwane high court has been set for the end of February.
This was according to Phasha Makgolane, spokesperson for the Independent Development Corporation (IDT), who said this date was within the contractual completion period. The IDT is the implementing agent for the department of justice and constitutional development.
Construction company, Sanyati Munaka JV, started construction in 2009.
Construction on the court was halted in October 2012 when Sanyati Manuka JV, which had been granted two extensions to finish the contract, failed to reach deadlines.
The contractor served the IDT with a letter of termination or release of contract on October 17, 2012.
It was estimated that the building was 65% complete and eight months behind schedule by the time they left the premises.
The contract for the building of the high court was taken over by Gauteng company, Siya Zama GVK Building Contractors in July 2013.
The court was originally expected to have been completed by the end of July 2014, but due to these complications, Makgolane indicated it was to be finished by January 2015.
The initial contract amount for the construction of the high court was R400 million.
The contractor had to make new plans after water from an underground well kept on seeping into the construction site, and millions of litres of water had to be pumped out when the foundations were laid.
The building comprises two structures situated on a basement that can accommodate parking for 253 vehicles and holding cells with direct access to the courtrooms.
Block A will contain regional high court rooms as well as 17 judges’ chambers, and block B will comprise seven floors of offices.
The court will accommodate the master of the high court’s offices, a family advocate, the state advocate as well as a legal aid department.
Municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, said the construction of the court, which was situated on the corner of Biccard and Bodenstein Street, had reached a stage where there was a need to upgrade roads and stormwater drainage systems in that area.
She said the municipality granted approval to commence with this work, which would also include the relocation of some traffic lights and the installation of new ones.
She further said this construction would require that some streets to be closed temporarily during a particular period, affecting the flow of traffic and access to these streets.
Street closures will be as follows:
• Biccard Street between Rabe and Bodenstein Street, February 12 to 28.
• Bodenstein Street between Biccard and Voortrekker Street, February 12 to 28.
• Voortrekker Street between Rabe and Bodenstein Street, March 1 to April 30.
• Bodenstein Street between Voortrekker and Dorp Street, March 1 to April 30.
Chuene asked that residents be patient during these times and use alternative routes.
