A contractor accused of ignoring the order of the King of Nadi, Pietermaritzburg, to stop the installation of asphalt until the complaints of local businessmen who complained about being locked out during the distribution of plates in the multi-million rand tent, has been deported.
The contractor who was awarded a tender of R110 million to install tarmac on two roads has been ordered to leave the area until he returns when the issues that are bothering the local people have been resolved.
Businessmen and members of the community surrounded the place where the contract is being worked on.
King Vusizwe of Sondelani Zondi had ordered the contractor to stop work last week.
The chairman of the King’s advisory board, Mr Swelakhe Shelembe, said the contractor had ignored the King’s order.
“The contractor is continuing the work while the local people are not benefiting anything. The contractor does not want the local businessmen to benefit. The king has written to him saying that he should not come near to discuss this matter until there is a conflict. He ignored that.
“The king also asked him to stop working until the grievances are resolved. And he ignored that. They continue to work. That is why we are here today. We are talking about one thing. The work should stop until the problems are resolved so that there will be peace in the area. The king cannot allow the development plan to deceive the public,” said Shelembe.
The law states that local entrepreneurs should benefit from 30% of development projects.
Shelembe said that local businessmen are not getting anything from this program.
“There are many local businessmen who have been deprived of the opportunity to improve the law. Many things that should be done by local businessmen are done by non-local businessmen. Another thing is that local people were not left out when people were hired to work.”
Shelembe said that they will suspend the implementation of the contract until all the grievances of the local people are resolved.
“We will wait until there is a meeting with the concerned bodies Sanral (SA National Roads Agency Limited).
The situation was tense where the contractor was working.
Members of the public were confronted by security guards who were monitoring where the contractor was working.
Efforts to get comments from the owners of the company that won the tender were unsuccessful as the company’s office was inaccessible.
The asphalted roads D2065 and D1134, both in Pietermaritzburg.
These roads connect communities with government institutions such as clinics and schools.
Since then, asphalt has never been installed on these roads.