KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer has warned that contractors who fail to deliver on construction projects will soon face serious consequences. He said his department is actively pursuing contractors who thought they had escaped accountability.

This was MEC’s assurance when he addressed attendees at the official opening of the department’s new iLembe district office in KwaDukuza. The R63-million facility will accommodate both KZN Public Works and Infrastructure and KZN Transport staff.

This “co-location” is part of an initiative to improve the use of government-owned assets, which includes terminating leases where applicable and relocating staff from rented offices to government buildings. An audit of all department-owned buildings and land is 80% complete, with full findings to be released soon. Meyer emphasised that this process is crucial for improved asset management. He also expressed his frustration that the iLembe district project had also fallen victim to contractor abandonment. Contractors were paid an up front portion of the budget before disappearing without completing the work.

He said the department was planning a central database to track non-compliant contractors. This will prevent these companies from simply changing names and securing new contracts elsewhere. These issues will be discussed further at the Build KZN Better conference next month.

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