Marine Drive crisis: Contractor calls it quits for now
DA councillors George Henderson and Alan Bosch are calling for the completion of the project.
Another big road project has been abandoned on the South Coast, due to non-payment to the contractor, leaving communities frustrated and inconvenienced.
A R580m upgrade of Marine Drive (from Confusion Junction in Port Shepstone to Southbroom) was tendered to Raubex KZN in 2023, with the completion date expected to be January 2026.
While Raubex is still within its scope, it has packed up and left the site.
Raubex media officer, Leshego Tsebe confirmed that a decision to terminate the Marine Drive road upgrade project was made in accordance with the terms and conditions of their contract.
“This decision follows several months of engagement with the client, KZN Department of Transport (DoT), regarding outstanding payments owed to Raubex, which regrettably did not result in any resolution.”
Tsebe said that the company is currently in constructive discussions with the department to address these matters.
“We are committed to ensuring that these discussions are productive and serve the best interest of all stakeholders involved.”
She added that the aim is to identify a mutually beneficial path forward that could enable the successful completion of the project.
DoT announced last week, it had a backlog of paying service providers, and would pay them by last Friday.
The spokesperson of DoT, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, was asked for comment, but none was received at the time of going to press.
Meanwhile, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality spokesperson Simon April said the municipality is shocked at the turn of events.
“The office of the MEC of Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, confirmed that all contractors were paid, including Raubex. The office of the mayor will be in contact with Duma to find out more about these developments.”
Now the struggle lies with motorists who will have to use a road that poses a safety hazard.
The affected sections are in Oslo Beach, Uvongo, Margate and Ramsgate. These comprise incomplete road marking, Armco barriers which have not been replaced, some sections have no top layer, no waste water drain covers and kerbs remain incomplete.
DA councillors George Henderson and Alan Bosch, said DoT needs to pay the outstanding amount to Raubex, so that project can be completed.
Bosch added they are not complaining about the quality of the work or the contractor, however, there have been several instances where the contractor suspended operations due to non-payment.
“This does not help the people of RNM because we are now left with half completed, dangerous roads where bridges have not been fixed, pending the resurface. The dips are getting worse and some of the sections now have potholes.”
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