26 Aug 2021

Chief roads engineer in the Southern region Mr Mphetang Mmolawa has said plans were underway to engage a contractor for litter picking along main roads following the termination of Elsamex contract last month.

In an interview, Mr Mmolawa noted that litter picking at bus bays and rest areas along the A2 and A12 roads was part of Elsamex contract that included construction of the road networks from Mmankgodi junction to Jwaneng roundabout.

He noted that following the contract termination, the department had engaged Moshupa sub-district council to assist with litter picking along the A10 road while working on engaging a contractor for the A2 road, pending the ministry’s major intervention.

Addressing the Kanye Administrative Authority (KAA) sub-council meeting recently, chairperson Mr Simon Ramaphoi regretted that Elsamex did not meet the employer’s requirements at the time of contract termination. He noted this resulted in safety challenges, among other issues.

“On 16 July 2021, MTC issued a notice of termination to the contractor and the termination was effective immediately. On the termination notice, the contractor was requested to ensure that the site is left in an orderly and safe condition. However, the contractor has since abondoned site,” he said.Additionally, Mr Ramaphoi noted that the contractor failed to complete some of the snag list items that included the resurfacing of a 5km section between Motlhalawakgomo and Moatle on the A2, installation of guardrails at Polokwe and between Polokwe and Sejelo, as well as pending drainage works at Kanye, Moshupa, Moshana and Lotlhakane West.

He noted that the ministerial tender committee was working on interim contracts to address these safety challenges while at the same time planning for the completion of the project.

“In an endeavour to address the situation, MTC is working on a interim proposal for the procurement of contractors to secure works which are currently posing safety challenges to the community and road users.”

He said MTC was simultaneously undertaking scoping and documentation works relating to the procurement of a new contractor to continue with the project to the envisaged completion date of 2024,” he said. ENDS