17 Nov 2021

Some councillors for Mabutsane Sub District Council have expressed concern over the new quotation that Type Dot Drilling has furnished the sub council with.

Sub council chairman Mr Kgopolo Ramosesane told the sub council forum on Monday that initially the company, which has been    engaged by the council to provide water drilling services at Kanaku ranch had quoted P140 610.

However, when it was expected on site it furnished the sub council with another quotation of close to P270 000 claiming that they had underquoted.

He explained the matter was current being addressed by the adjudication committee. Specially elected councilor, Ms Nolly Dikgokgwane said the issue was worrisome. She suggested that the council should part ways with the company and engage a different one.

She also suggested that the council should consider the second best company in the initial tendering if they beat the new quote by Type Dot Drilling.

“If the second best company is also high, we could always consider retendering,” she suggested.

Councilor Keberekile Pule of Mabutsane/Kanaku ward supported her.

He complained that as councillors they were never informed of the development even at various committee sittings.

He said that it was surprising that they only learnt about the issue from the chairman’s speech.

In his briefing Mr Ramosesane had indicated that construction of the farm manager’s house and ablution block were almost complete.

He said that a team from the sub council visited community farms in Gantsi District with the objective of identifying the highest standards of excellence for products, processes and services and adopt for the benefit our ranch.

“The team is currently working with other stakeholders on the business model to be adopted, establishment of the board of trustees as well as the constitution for the farm.

The plan is to start with 100 goats, 100 sheep and 150 cattle which will all be part of phase four of the project and scheduled for the last quarter of the next financial year,” he said.

Mr Ramosesane also indicated that the community of Kanaku had been kept abreast of developments through consultative meetings both at site and at the village.

He explained the ranch was in the previous year allocated P500 000 for paddocking which was completed.  Currently the farm is at phase three which involves water reticulation and construction of farm accommodation. Ends