The construction of Klein Boesmans “Mathamo” Bridge in Zwelisha, Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality to be sped up: Duma has ensured that an Infrastructure Crack Team is assembled to finish the project and is led by the Acting HoD
Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: We have assembled an Infrastructure Crack Team to ensure the completion of Klein Boesmans “Mathamo” River Bridge in Zwelisha in Ward 15 under Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality.
I interacted with the community yesterday, and they detailed their frustrations as a result of the prolonged construction of the bridge.
The contractor lacked the capacity and experienced financial problems.
65% of the construction work has been finished, but there is a remaining 35%. Consequently, the community remains isolated, especially after prolonged heavy rainfall.
We wish to announce that an Infrastructure Crack Team is following all the internal processes to ensure the appointment of a new contractor.
The team is led by the Acting HoD, Sma Ngubo, and has been tasked to unblock all the bottlenecks.
We have agreed that in order to complete the bridge, we will appoint a contractor with the following:-
- Capacity and Construction Machinery.
- Sufficient cash flow.
The following are strict timelines for the completion of the bridge:
- Initial submission of quotation document to Supply Chain Management: 18 July 2025 – quotation cancelled due to noncompliance.
- Re-Submission of document to SCM: 17th October 2025
- Anticipated invitation of service providers: 24th of October 2025
- Closing Date: 03rd of November 2025
- Evaluation Approval: 10th of November 2025
- Award of the Successful bidder: 12th of November 2025
- Site Handover Date: 13th of November 2025
- Anticipated Completion Date: 31st July 2026
We are acting decisively in response to genuine complaints about unfinished/stalled roads and bridges, and those construction projects that have been abandoned by contractors.
We have introduced punitive measures to ensure that we recover monies from those contractors who have abandoned road construction projects and those who will fail to complete projects on time.
A lot of blame, at times rightly so, has been placed at the feet of the Department as the custodian of public transportation.
However, the reality is that we have contractors who are failing to honour their contracts, and it is time that we act decisively.
Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements.
