MORE than R174 million has allegedly gone down the drain as the Waterdal Road is getting worse weekly, with potholes damaging cars.
According to Democratic Alliance Shadow MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Kingsol Chabalala, five service providers were allegedly paid R34,2 million each to fix the road. Still, none of the contractors have done the job.
On Thursday, 10 August, Chabalala inspected the Waterdal Road upgrades in Emfuleni in the Vaal.
Chabalala said the road upgrade project, reportedly valued at R174 million, has experienced delays despite Emfuleni allegedly appointing the contractors.
“The contractors were all paid R34,2 million for a scope ranging from base and surface repairs to drainage repairs on the KI road and maintenance, but all of that has never happened,” he said.
According to Chabalala, the unnecessary delays in upgrading Emfuleni roads were risking the lives of motorists and residents.
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“We were shocked to discover that there is nothing to show for the millions spent on this road,” he said.
Chabalala said they would also ensure that all the opportunistic service providers are dealt with accordingly.
He said DA councillors were constantly receiving calls from motorists who are forced to keep repairing their vehicles.
"To make matters worse, the municipality does not even have a proper maintenance plan in place for potholes."
Emfuleni Local Municipality spokesman Makhosonke Sangweni said that the Waterdal Road was one of the 40 roads to be implemented by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.
Sangweni denied that any companies were appointed and paid R174 million for Waterdaal Road.
