THE Greater Letaba Municipality should be investigated for paying a contractor R2,4 million for a road that does not exist.
DA councillor in the Greater Letaba municipality, Timothy Maluleke, said the DA would approach the office of the public protector to investigate this.
He said the municipality had appointed a contractor to upgrade the streets from gravel to paving blocks at Sekgopo for 1km, but only 607 metres was done.
He said the contractor was paid the full amount of R2,4 million without completing the work. “Furthermore, another contractor was appointed to build a low level bridge in the same village, but nothing was done. The municipality has already paid R50 000 to a contractor and is in the process of paying another R102 000 for the bridge that does not exist.
“Several tenders were also issued to close allies of the senior officials without following the correct procedures. The municipality also got a disclaimer opinion from the Auditor-General for this financial year,” he said.
“An estimated R54 million cannot be accounted for and is regarded as irregular expenditure. It’s clear that the financial affairs of the municipality are in disarray,” he said.
Lovers Maenetje, spokesperson for the Greater Letaba Municipality said the budget of R200 000 was for four bridges.
“The Sekgopo bridge has been built and the other three are not yet built as we are waiting for some deliveries. The contractor will continue with the construction as soon as we receive the deliveries.
“When we budgeted for phase 2 of the pavement, it was R2,7 million for an estimated of 1km road in 2012. We hired a designer who told us and the road was 610 metres long, and not 1km.
Bidders bid for 610 metres to be done, the price was R2,4 million and the project was completed. We paid the contractor. The council knows that. We are perturbed that the DA is raising issues where there is no problem,” said Maenetje.
