The Gauteng Provincial Government has instituted disciplinary proceedings against five officials in the Department of Roads and Transport. The officials include the Head of Department, Ronald Schwartz, who has been placed on special leave.
 
The officials face disciplinary action in relation to the contract awarded to Lubbe Construction in 2015 for the K46 road construction project.
 
An investigation conducted by the Provincial Treasury at the request of Premier David Makhura has revealed serious irregularities in the awarding of the contract. The contract has since been terminated and a new tender will be initiated through the Open Tender system.
 
Premier Makhura said he “regards poor management by officials of infrastructure projects and dismal performance by contractors as a serious matter.” As such, support from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been enlisted to recover funds that were allegedly overpaid to the contractor.
 
The Department will embark on a new, open tender procurement process to complete the project in due course.
 
The Gauteng Provincial Government acknowledges that the regrettable delay in completing the project has caused inconvenience to road users, residents and the business community in the area.
 
Issued by the Gauteng Provincial Government