Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Robert Ferendale and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL. See attached pictures here and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ngwathe will urgently pursue the full recovery of misspent funds to ensure the immediate completion of the long-delayed low-level bridge between Sandersville and S-Section.
After years of pressure, the DA has finally received feedback from the Ngwathe Local Municipality, confirming that millions were paid to a company that failed to complete the project. The DA has repeatedly written to the authorities to secure answers and accountability.
In a report released earlier this year, we discovered that almost 75% of the project’s total budget had already been paid to the contractor. At the time, the municipality indicated that it would take steps to recover the money through litigation.
The DA welcomes these recent developments and hopes that the funds paid for the project can be recovered so that the bridge can be completed. The bridge is an essential factor and will make residents’ daily lives easier. They currently have to cross the bridge under dangerous conditions during the rainy season, which puts their lives at risk.
We have already sent questions regarding the current investigation to the Municipal Manager and is awaiting answers. We will not rest until the project is completed.