13 May 2025
Delivering incomplete and substandard work is over, as such contractors are to be blacklisted by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal.
At least seven contractors are currently at risk of being blacklisted, as revealed by MEC Martin Meyer yesterday.
The move was welcomed by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, which stated that the government will not tolerate poor service delivery.
But contractors have said the government must be fair when holding them accountable for incomplete projects. MEC Meyer noted that substandard work by contractors has been very costly for the department, as it often has to be redone by different contractors.
He made these remarks while addressing members of the media yesterday on various matters concerning the department, including the progress being made to ensure that contractors who have completed work for the government are paid on time.
“The issue of shoddy contractors continues to be a thorn for us, as KZN Public Works and Infrastructure. Contractors have become too comfortable delivering substandard work with full pay and zero consequences. This has created a legacy of undesirable projects, many of which end up costing more than they should because a new contractor has to be brought in to complete the job of the first contractor,” said the MEC.
He said this pattern resulted in the department losing money and credibility. “The client loses trust in us, and the public loses faith that their hard-earned taxes are being used effectively. Well, those days are now officially over.”
Source:iol
