Dispute over community halls hots up
However the contractor, Siyakwethemba Mbuthuma who is also the Harding Business Forum chairman, told a different story.
A dispute between the Umzumbe Business Forum (UBF) and a Harding contractor led to the closure of the Umzumbe Municipality for severall days recently.
This was confirmed by municipal spokesman Sabelo Ncwane.
The dispute stems from tenders for the construction of community halls, one in ward 14 and one in ward 19, which were awarded to the Harding contractor.
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The tenders are worth for R21-million.
UBF members reportedly want to be part of this and have asked to meet with the contractor.
It is believed that some forum members stormed one of the construction sites, threatening staff and taking their cellphones.
However, UBF chairman Senzo Ngcobo said the forum merely wanted local contractors to be appointed for 30 percent of the project value in order for local businesses to benefit from the projects.
“We have tried on numerous occasions to meet with the municipality, with no success. On Monday we met with the contractor who showed up with bodyguards when we only wanted to talk to him and reach an amicable solution.”
However the contractor, Siyakwethemba Mbuthuma who is also the Harding Business Forum chairman, told a different story.
According to Mr Mbuthuma, he had tried to meet the UBF’s demands but said that they were ‘being impossible’.
“I have had several meetings with them. In one of these, I was told to let them ‘have’ one of the ‘halls’ which made me feel undermined. I submitted tender documents for both community halls, supply chain processes were followed, and I was awarded the tenders despite being told to ‘dream on’,” said Mr Mbuthuma.
Threats have now reportedly been made, both verbally and via cellphone, with some of the contractor’s trucks also apparently being damaged.
The contract stipulates that the contractor must sub-contract at least five percent of the project value per project as the project value is less than R30-million.
“I am willing to go as far as sub-contracting up to 15 percent, but I will not give up one hall.”
Commenting on the bodyguard issue, Mr Mbuthuma said he hired bodyguards to accompany him to the meeting because he felt his life was in danger, due to threats and intimidation.
Mr Ncwane said Umzumbe mayor, Sizwe Ngcobo is expected to meet with the business forum in an attempt to resolve the issue.
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