Staff Reporter
Bloemfontein – With only a few months remaining before the expiry of the 22-month contract awarded to Tau Pele Construction in 2024, the controversial R269 million upgrade of the R709 road between Tweespruit and Excelsior is nowhere near completion.
The tender was initially awarded to New Beginnings Project but was terminated on 21 June 2024. Following the termination, Tau Pele Construction was appointed to complete the project under a reduced 22-month contract.
In June last year, this publication visited the construction site and found work had come to a standstill after the contractor halted operations over unpaid funds.
Construction resumed a few days later after the company was paid and in September, we went again and this is what we found.
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On Sunday, this publication again visited the site and, while some progress has been made, it is evident that the project is unlikely to be completed within the contractual timeframe.
WATCH
The R709 tender remains the subject of an ongoing investigation. The matter is currently before the Hawks, with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) expected to announce its decision after the deadline given to investigators to return the docket.
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The current contractor met all criteria, and were on time schedule. But the Free State Government failed to step up and pay the contractor for work done. Therefore the contractor had no other choice but to stop construction until the FS government put their money where their mouths are and step up and make urgent payments.