The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaDukuza has accused the municipality of squandering millions in disaster relief funds on stalled projects, leaving residents with half-built infrastructure and broken promises.

DA councillors Privi Makhan, Nerish Singh and Ayabonga Zwane toured several sites recently, exposing what they described as a “pattern of failure and waste.”

Despite significant public spending, contractors have abandoned projects while the municipality fails to intervene.

Among the worst examples is the Hulett Bridge, where R32 million has already been spent but the contractor walked off the job. The same company was awarded the R29-million Mnyundwini Bridge contract, which has also stalled.

Another failure, the Nonoti Beach Road, carried a R24-million price tag before Treasury clawed back R8.9 million after the collapse of work.

Makhan accused the municipality of awarding contracts to compromised companies despite their track records.

“This is a desperate attempt to fuel their patronage network while our people pay the price. The most notable legacy of the ANC in KwaDukuza will be the failed R1.2 billion in disaster-funded projects, with no tangible difference to the lives of our people,” she said.

The Courier recently reported that a review of underperforming municipal contractors drew rare bipartisan criticism in council (‘Tender breaches delay municipal projects’, Courier, September 5).

Four wards have been particularly affected: Ward 29 has ten delayed road and stormwater upgrades; Ward 9 is waiting on one upgrade; Ward 2 residents remain cut off by the flood-damaged Hulett Bridge; and Ward 24’s community hall refurbishment is outstanding.

Of the remaining contract breaches, seven contractors are back on site, one project has been completed and another has been referred to the legal department.

Frustration at the lack of penalties has grown across party lines. KwaDukuza chief whip Humphrey Mbatha (ANC) questioned oversight and why consultants were excluded from poor performance reports despite failing in their roles.

Singh also warned that the civil engineering department’s 38% capital expenditure was a “service delivery red flag.”

Makhan said she asked the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) in January last year to investigate delays and possible fruitless expenditure at Hulett Bridge. The AGSA confirmed the issue will be assessed during the 2023/24 audit but ruled out a separate forensic probe.

Residents near the abandoned sites said delays had left them with unsafe roads, blocked access and fading hope.

The DA is now demanding urgent action to recover wasted funds and prevent repeat offenders from securing future tenders.

“KwaDukuza residents deserve infrastructure that works, not endless excuses. It is time to put people before politics and ensure that companies paid to build our bridges and roads actually finish the job,” said Makhan.

KwaDukuza Municipality spokesperson Sifiso Zulu said regarding the Hullett Bridge, the municipality issued a termination letter on August 14.

This follows several notices sent to non-performing contractors. The termination is proof that the Municipality takes poor performance seriously and will act against it.

“On the Mnyundwini Bridge, the project is currently 80% complete. Some outstanding work is required before full completion, and the Nonoti Beach Road project has not been abandoned but is suspended by the implementing agent due to contractor non-compliance. Continuous engagements are underway to address the breaches, and the contractor is currently facing penalties. If there is no improvement, termination remains a possibility,” said Zulu

He said the treasury has withdrawn some funding due to non-performance across several projects, and the R8.9 million mentioned does not relate to this project alone.

He also stressed that allegations that the municipality continues to award contracts to contractors with poor track records are misleading.

“As stated, action is being taken against non-performing contractors, and terminations where necessary demonstrate the municipality’s commitment to accountability and service delivery,” he said.

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