Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Riëtte Dell and Sesotho soundbites by Jafta Mokoena MPL
The Democratic Alliance (DA) conducted an oversight visit to the R708 road project between Marquard and Clocolan to assess its progress following continued reports of stagnation and poor project management.
During the oversight, it was observed that work on site had come to a near standstill, with minimal staffing and limited visible progress. Seemingly, the current contractor is in the process of vacating the site and removing their equipment, following the Department’s formal termination of their contract.
Based on the information received, the Department has confirmed the termination of the contract with the current contractor and has indicated its intention to expedite the appointment of a new contractor within the next three weeks by implementing a closed-bid process to ensure the swift continuation of the project.
While this progress is a welcome step in addressing the prolonged process, the department must take full responsibility for the lack of due diligence in appointing a contractor that did not possess the necessary technical and financial capacity to complete the project, resulting in these unnecessary delays.
We will be seeking clarity on the associated costs to ensure that any instances of fruitless or wasteful expenditure are recovered and that the department is held fully accountable.
Additionally, the Department has confirmed that it plans to meet with local community members within the same timeframe, prior to the appointment of the new contractor, to address concerns and communicate the next steps.
The DA will ensure that no public property or funds are removed or misused during the contractor’s exit from the site. It has been evident for some time that the previous contractor lacked the necessary capacity to complete the project successfully, and this decisive action by the Department is a step in the right direction. Where necessary, the DA will also request that defaulting contractors be blacklisted and prevented from doing any further business with the Free State government.
The DA will continue to monitor the new procurement process closely, ensuring that the appointment of a new contractor is conducted efficiently and that public funds are utilised responsibly. Ongoing oversight will be maintained to safeguard progress and ensure the project’s successful completion without further unnecessary delays.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to effective service delivery, transparency, and accountability in the Free State.