THE Thulamela Municipality’s R1,4 million electrification project in Khalavha-Gwadzha, Thohoyandou, has come to a standstill due to quarrels between the sub-contractor and the main contractor of the project.
The electrification project started in 2012 and entailed the electrification of three villages, Khalavha-Gwadzha, Mandala and Tshithuthuni.
The Mandala and Tshithuthuni projects have been completed, but the project in Khalavha-Gwadzha remains incomplete, with the sub-contractor, Zwivhuya Zwi a Todea Trading and Projects Company abandoning the project a month after it started working on it due to a money quarrel with the main contractor, Mphapuli Consulting (PTY) Ltd.
As a result of the quarrel, Khalavha-Gwadzha is still in the dark.
Emmanuel Makhokha of Zwivhuya Zwi a Todea Trading and Projects Company said there were two invoices that Lufuno Mphaphuli of Mphapuli Consulting (PTY) Ltd didn’t pay for December 2012.
“In January 2013, we went to the site, but Mphaphuli didn’t deliver the material. He wanted to give me R100 000 for three projects, but I refused to accept the money. I took the matter to my attorney. We reported the matter to the Thulamela municipal manager, Makonde Mathivha, but Mphaphuli still hasn’t paid me.
“The project can’t continue if Mphaphuli doesn’t pay. We will go to court,” said Makhokha.
Mphaphuli said he paid Makhokha and had documentation to prove this. He said he also paid all the employees working on the project that Makhokha did not pay. “I acknowledge that things are not going well with the sub-contractor,” said Mphaphuli. He said he would take over the Khalavha-Gwadzha project at the end of July.
A resident of Khalavha, who did not wish to be named due to fear of victimisation, said after the original sub-contractor left, the main contractor brought in another sub-contractor who also did not do any work.
“The contractor was only introduced to the tribal council, but he did not do any work.
“About four months ago, Mphaphuli brought yet another three sub-contractors who also haven’t done any work.
“The project is still stuck and there is no progress. Farmers are losing their livestock as they fall into the uncovered holes and parents fear for their children’s safety,” he said.
Spokesperson for the Thulamela Municipality, Ndwamato Tshiila, refused to explain to CV why the project at Khalavha remained incomplete.
Tshiila referred all queries to Reuben Dzivhani who deals with these projects in the municipality.
Dzivhani didn’t respond to any queries that CV sent to him in April, May and June.
