Kwazulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has warned building contractors about building shoddy and unstable infrastructure which puts the lives of citizens in danger.
Mchunu issued this warning on Monday during the launch of the R184 million rand Community Residential Units (CRU’s) upgrade project in KwaMashu Hostel. The project includes the upgrade of nine hostels within eThekwini Municipality. The Premier’s comments comes after the collapse of a building at a construction site in oThongathi last week, which left two people dead and several others injured.
The launch was attended by Mayor James Nxumalo, Deputy Mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala, members of the Council’s Executive Members and KZN MEC for Health Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo as well as eThekwini Councillors and Municipal officials. Mchunu announced that building contractors have been appointed to start the project this week. He urged them to build quality houses to restore the dignity of citizens who are set to benefit from the project.
“Those who have been awarded tenders must make sure that they build properly. Shoddy work is not acceptable because you are building for people. Government will not tolerate this kind of work and we are not friends of contractors who do shoddy work,” he said. Mchunu instructed the Municipality to conduct regular inspections at construction sites.
“The Mayor and the City Manager should have technical teams to conduct inspections regularly.”
The project has yielded 982 completed units equating to 5 192 bed spaces. This multi-million rand project will be rolled out to other CRUs in eThekwini as part of Government’s effort to improve the lives of people living in former hostels and to turn these structures into family units. Hostels in KwaMashu (R48-million), KwaDabeka (R20m), Wema (R24m), Jacobs (R12m), Klaarwater (R23m), KwaMakhutha (R8m) and Dalton (R13) are set to benefit from the project.
Mayor James Nxumalo said; “Government took a decision to do away with single sex hostels. Today families can live in CRU’s because it is a two bedroom accommodation with a kitchen, lounge, bathroom and toilet with electricity, clean water, geyser and it is also connected to a proper sewage system.” Nxumalo said the quality of life for people of KwaMashu Hostel, which consists of informal settlements, and other CRUs is set to change for the better after the upgrades.
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