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Learners at Breda Farm School outside Fouriesburg remain victims of poor tender administration and will have to wait at least another year before their accommodation will be completed.

We carried out site visits to the school in August 2019, January 2020 and again this week with local DA Dihlabeng Councillor, Jafta Mokoena.

In 2020, only basic earthworks in the form of ditches and ground clearing had taken place. According to the Free State MEC for Education Mr Tate Makgoe’s explanation, Molefe Construction sub-contracted some of the earthworks to Lemac Construction who in turn hired machinery from L & L Plant Hire to execute the service which led to a dispute between the main contractor and the sub-contractor. There is no explanation why more than R5 million was paid out at that time whilst the dispute delayed the physical work.

According to replies to DA questions in the Legislature in 2020, R5 175 685.87 or 7, 3% of the R71 126 721.23 contract had been paid out to GT Molefe Construction between March and July 2019 for only earthworks, civil works and site establishment. The MEC indicated that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is acting as the implementing agent on the project.

In 2020, the signage indicated that the new contractor was Phetogo Consulting. However, recent replies from the MEC to questions in the Legislature indicate that GT Molefe Construction is still responsible for the construction and that R34 228 099, 25 has been paid to them so far. Disputes between the government, GT Molefe Construction, consultants, implementing agents and the Quantity Surveyors appear to be the reason for the current delays. The oversight visit indicates that the construction work has again come to a standstill. It is doubtful that the completion date of March 2023, as indicated by the MEC, will be met with current progress.

It is sad that learners in rural areas are victims of poor tender management by the provincial government, and the much-needed learner accommodation is delayed because of this. The DA will continue to monitor progress and put pressure on the provincial government to complete this project so that learners in this rural area benefit from the investment in this hostel.

Issued by Dr Roy Jankielsohn MPL - Leader of the Opposition in the Free State Legislature