The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is calling on both the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) and the Department of Infrastructure Development and Property Management (DID) to open a criminal case against the main contractor after the sub-contractor seized 45 computers belonging to the Boipatong Monument and Youth Centre due to non-payment of services rendered.
This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for SACR, Mbali Hlophe in a written reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
According to MEC Hlophe, Mpho Mnisi was sub-contracted by the main contractor to render services at the Boipatong Monument and Youth Centre in Vanderbijlpark.
It is alleged that Mnisi was not paid by the main contractor in 2015, and subsequently in 2016, took 45 computers from Boipatong Monument due to non-payment of services.
The computers that were taken by Mnisi were procured by the main contractor as part of the contract.
MEC Hlophe states that the DID was supposed to lay charges with the SAPS on the main contractor, however, to date no case has been opened.
This is absolutely unacceptable and a total waste of taxpayer’s money, and clearly indicates the DID and SACR’s incompetence when it comes to managing infrastructure projects across the province.
Furthermore, the Boipatong Monument and Youth Centre is still not fully operational despite being completed in November 2015. The three-year delay in the completion of this project has had a financial impact as the initial budget of R32.5 million accrued to R35,1 million.
Even though this facility is not fully operational, the Gauteng Department of SACR continues to transfer the operational grant to the Sedibeng District Municipality. This raises questions about the funds allocated for this facility and how the money is being spent.
The DA will write to the Gauteng Premier, David Makhura calling for an urgent intervention to ascertain why the Boipatong Monument and Youth Centre is still incomplete and why the DID and SACR have not opened a case against the main contractor, and when these computers will be recovered.