Dust in Delmas over the once notorious R50 road has not settle yet
“The R2.3m penalties imposed on the contractor were a drop in the ocean compared to the R52m cost overruns, raising serious concerns about accountability and governance.”
The R50 between Delmas and the N12, also known as the -36/1 Mpumalanga coal haul, left many road users red in the face.
The rebuild of a 9.1km stretch of road commenced in July 2020 and took close to four years to complete.
With many delays, fatal accidents, work strikes and extreme dust problems in bordering neighbourhoods of Delmas, it was known for many years of unpleasant driving; and living conditions for the residents.
Streeknews (15 March 2024) also reported on using allegedly illegal coal to fill the detour road while construction of the R50 took place.
An expert at the time said it was illegal to remove coal from an opencast mine. Yet, coal was driven in by trucks to fill the detour road with this alleged illegal coal, just to be mauled by truck- and car tyres to a fine powder.
It caused many households and businesses in Delmas headaches because black coal dust filled almost everything inside and outside properties.
The R50 is now again in the spotlight after ActionSA expressed its concern about the delays and accompanying costs.
ActionSA’s Thoko Mashiane, a member of the Mpumalanga Legislature, said in a media statement on February 20, that the party was deeply concerned about the unjustifiable delays and ballooning costs of the project.
“The project was supposed to be finished by October 15, 2021, but it took over four years to complete 9.1km of road, finally reaching practical completion in December 2024,” said Mashiane.
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Mashiane further stated the project originally cost R130m but has escalated to R182m.
“A staggering R52m increase. Despite this, the road has faced multiple delays, including 10 months of site abandonment, disputes over payment to local SMMEs, contractor inefficiencies, and challenges with material sourcing,” Mashiane added.
“The R50 is of strategic economic importance as a key coal haulage route, directly impacting energy security and the economy.
“Yet, the project was mismanaged from the start, plagued by poor contractor performance, a lack of proper planning, and weak project oversight that has allowed costs to spiral and progress to stall.”
“The R2.3m penalties imposed on the contractor were a drop in the ocean compared to the R52m cost overruns, raising serious concerns about accountability and governance.”
