The road construction project in Lynnwood Road, Pretoria, undertaken by the contractor TCT Civil and Construction CC, commenced on 26 May 2023 with an original completion period of 18 months.
The contractor is now, 21 months after missing the initial completion date, requesting yet another extension of three months. Based on the contractor’s performance track record, there is very little to no hope that this will be the last extension.
The contract for the project near Loftus Stadium was initially awarded at a value of R145,9 million, but the cost has since climbed to approximately R171 million and the work remains incomplete.
To date, certified payments of more than R123 million have been claimed, while the site is characterised by delays, poor performance and inadequate safety measures, which have already resulted in the tragic death of a rugby supporter.
During a recent Tshwane Metro Council meeting, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) called for the contractor to be removed and blacklisted, as well as a comprehensive investigation into the selection and appointment process followed in awarding this contract.
The Oversight Committee on Roads and Transport previously also recommended that the contractor be dismissed and blacklisted for incompetence and poor performance. The Council adopted this recommendation, yet the contractor is still proceeding with the project.
The Freedom Front Plus, furthermore, requested a forensic investigation into all current projects awarded to TCT Civil and Construction CC, as well as a thorough performance evaluation of the contractor.
Tshwane residents deserve to have infrastructure projects completed safely, professionally, on time and within budget – not expensive failures that endanger lives and bleed them dry.
