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The resealing of some of Cradock’s streets that was accepted gratefully by residents and business owners, has now turned into a nightmare as the contracting company was forced to serve the local Inxuba Yethemba Municipality with a notice of suspension of work due to non-payment.
According to Wilhelm Smit, Chairman of the local Business Forum, residents have complained about the Phase 3 resealing project that began at the end of 2022.
In several streets, and portion of streets in the CBD and lower residential areas, the tar covering was ripped off and only a dusty ground layer was left behind when the contractors left for their annual builder’s holiday.
Residents were left with dusty roads, no warning signs of work in progress or of danger where roads have collapsed where there are storm water drains underneath, endangering pedestrians and vehicles.
The contractors have returned to Cradock on the due date, but are not prepared to start work until payment is received.
According to Inxuba Yethemba mayor, Noncedo Zonke, there must be a problem with the contractor’s certificate of work done, otherwise they would have been paid immediately.
Zonke has also explained that they have deviated from the original contract, which included streets that were not so badly damaged to have resealing done in other sections and on other streets where it is more necessary.
A meeting of all concerned, including the contractor, municipality and the project steering committee is to be held on Wednesday, January 25, to try and resolve the matter.
