Construction is set to resume at KwaDukuza’s long-stalled Home Affairs office, but the ANC and DA are already fighting over the credit.

The parties traded accusations last week after plans were announced to restart construction of the facility, which is about 60% complete.

Work stalled after the previous contractor experienced cash-flow and contract-management problems. The Independent Development Trust (IDT) will now take over implementation, beginning with technical assessments and confirmation of funding.

The ANC in the General Gizenga Mpanza Region welcomed the development after Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala visited the site last Wednesday.

Regional co-ordinator Lucky Makhathini said the ANC had repeatedly raised residents’ frustrations over the delays with Zikalala. He also called for an investigation into why the project failed and for any contractors or officials found responsible to be held accountable.

“The ANC in the region will not stand by while communities are denied essential government services because of inefficiency, negligence or collusion between public officials and service providers,” he said.

The DA hit back, accusing the ANC of trying to claim credit for a project that stalled under its watch.

KwaDukuza DA mayoral candidate Privi Makhan said the turnaround resulted from co-operation between Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson and Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber.

“The appointment of the IDT and the resumption of this project are solely the result of two DA ministers working together to fix what the ANC broke,” she said.

Makhan also disputed claims that Zikalala drove the intervention, saying the deputy minister did not have the authority to appoint the IDT.

KwaDukuza mayor Siduduzo Gumede welcomed the progress after the lengthy delay.
“This is a timely intervention and we are happy that the project is finally taking off once again,” he said.