Several local infrastructure projects have been halted following the cancellation of a major urban-mobility contract worth R1,2 billion amid allegations of attempted bribery.
Speaking at the sub-council meeting on Monday, 16 March, chair Elton Jansen said the contractor had allegedly attempted to bribe the City Manager to stop an internal investigation into tender collusion.
“I want to first congratulate and acknowledge the City Manager’s involvement in this successful bust because we do not tolerate corruption. However, it comes with some inconvenience. All those projects within the entire city, not just Subcouncil 17, have come to an abrupt standstill.”
EPWP workers affected
The contract cancellation has left Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers without employment, as their contracts stipulate “no work, no pay”.
“I’m of the opinion that yes, we have successfully stopped an allegedly corrupt businessman, but now our EPWP workers are suffering as a result,” Jansen said.
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The chair said he had written to senior officials requesting that EPWP workers be included in new contracts once replacement contractors are appointed, but was not satisfied with the response received.
Projects affected include the Mitchells Plain non-motorised transport development in Lentegeur and various ward allocation projects.
Long service recognition
The meeting also recognised councillors Daniel Christians and Goawa Timm for “enduring” 20 years of public service on 6 March.
“You have dedicated your lives, 20 years of your life. It’s a lot, it’s a lifetime to give to your community,” Jansen told the councillors.
He made special reference to Christians’ decades of advocacy for development on the False Bay coastline, which is finally bearing fruit.“Councillor Christians, in particular, has been the voice in Mitchells Plain, among other voices, of course, for the False Bay coastline.”
Youth opportunities
Jansen also encouraged Mitchells Plain’s youth to take advantage of the new opportunities for them that are currently underway.
He mentioned two specifically, a youth incubator at RLabs and the Mitchells Plain Star Search competition.
Referencing his own youthful musical ambitions, Jansen said that he too had taken part in a star search competition in Mitchells Plain many years ago.
“Now, your chairperson used to be the second runner up. That competition opened doors for me as an artist.”
He went on to say he had collaborated with well-known musicians from that era and travelled overseas as a result of the competition.
“These competitions should not be taken lightly. It’s a door opener. And so, having benefited from a competition like that, I want to encourage young people to enter that competition. It may be your opportunity to kickstart your career.”
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