GMM suspends manager of water project

Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) Mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma said in the latest council meeting held last week that the municipality had suspended the project management unit manager for wrongly appointing the contractor for the bulk water pipeline project from Rand Water to eMbalenhle.

According to Zuma, after advertising the tender, the contractor was appointed, and the scope of work was done, indicating the project would cost more than R118. The unit manager allegedly appointed the contractor, who earned more than R89m.

“This means the contractor is not going to complete the project, and we instituted an investigation that resulted in the project management unit manager’s suspension,” said Zuma.

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“We further referred this matter to and requested advice from the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. It advised we must apply to the Water and Sanitation Department for additional money.

“We seek to correct what some of our officials did improperly for the project completion. If you read the document, the service provider charged the correct amount but was appointed for the wrong amount. As the municipality, we will not appoint another service provider but continue with the current one to avoid a lawsuit.”

He said the municipality is trying to resolve bulk water pipeline challenges from Rand Water to municipal reservoirs.

“We are replacing all ageing pipes across the Govan Mbeki municipal region.”