The long-awaited reopening of Sibonginhanhla Primary School in Verulam has been pushed back by almost a year, with learners now expected to remain in temporary classrooms until June 2027. The project, which was originally due for completion in August 2026 at a cost of R73.9 million, is only 53% complete and is now expected to cost R84.3 million.
The project, launched in September 2023 by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, includes the construction of 21 new classrooms, two multi-purpose classrooms, four Grade R classrooms with two ablution facilities, 12 storerooms, a kitchen, strong room, computer room, guard hut, five ablution facilities, a medical centre with a smart board and a new perimeter fence.
However, with 97% of the time to the original August 2026 handover date having passed, the project stands at 53% completion.
In a statement, MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure Martin Meyer said that constant delays and threats have hindered the progress of the project. These allegedly include delays in contractor payments, which also affected timeous payments to local subcontractors; contractors facing financial constraints and presenting work of an unacceptable quality; inconsistent site management resources; a disagreement between the contractor and local subcontractors; and alleged extortion.
The 53% progress rate now means it is no longer practical to meet the August deadline and, as such, the project is only expected to be completed in June 2027.
Regarding the contractor, Meyer said that at some stage, the appointed contractor started experiencing cash-flow issues, which further contributed to the slow progress.
As a result, KZN Public Works and Infrastructure issued several notices to the contractor and, unfortunately, none of the recovery commitments agreed upon between the department and the contractor to get the project back on track were met. The department was, therefore, left with no alternative but to issue a notice of intention to terminate the contract on 7 July this year.
There have also been issues of a lack of quality control by project consultants, which has led to the Principal Agent being placed on terms.
Meyer said: “I want to take this opportunity to clarify that the challenges and actions with regards to the contractor and Principal Agent by KZN Public Works and Infrastructure were not without assistance provided to them. We are a caring department as per that mandate we regularly engage with our valuable stakeholders to see where and how they need assistance.”
With the contractor fired, the cost pushed up from R73.9 million to R84.3 million and the handover date delayed by almost a year, the learners of Sibonginhanhla Primary School continue to learn in their temporary classrooms and wait for a return to their school.
