Johannesburg - Controversy is surrounding the opening of the Johannesburg International Transport Interchange, with contractors threatening to keep the facility closed until they are fully paid.
The facility was meant to operate as a transport hub where people are able to access transport going to other African countries in the SADC region.
The facility was also meant to create job opportunities. But contractors responsible for the structure have told “The Star” that the Johannesburg Development Agency owed them more than R20 million in outstanding money for work done.
Some of the SMMEs complained that they owed suppliers and other service providers who helped them complete their work.
Mothusi Madaba, who spoke on behalf of the SMMEs who ensured the completion of the facility, said the subcontractors were contracted by Basil Read, a company that went into liquidation during the building of the structure.
He said the subcontractors had an agreement with the city to finish the work despite Basil Read running into problems.
"We completed the work and they paid us a portion of the money and we still have outstanding money that they owe us and they committed to ensuring we get paid in full, but till this day nothing," Madaba said.
Madaba said most of the subcontractors were emerging companies that employed dozens of people.
"We have created work opportunities as SMMEs, but if we are not paid, we are unable to sustain the business, and this would mean we cannot create more work opportunities," Madaba said.
Madaba said the contractors would not allow the transport facility to operate until they were fully paid.
On the other hand, the MMC for Development Planning in the City of Joburg, Belinda Echeozonjoku, told “The Star” that the city had paid the main contractor, Basil Read. According to her, all debt to the developers had been settled.
“The JDA has made all payments to Basil Read as the main contractor. The last payment made was in May 2018,” Echeozonjoku said.
Echeozonjoku said the facility had been handed over to the CoJ Transport Department in 2021 and that the responsibility of launching the structure was in the department’s hands.
“The JDA was the implementing agent in this project and has handed over the facility to the Department of Transport as the client department. Question regarding opening of facility direct to the City of Johannesburg Department of Transport,” she said.
Despite accusations that contractors had not been paid because of political meddling, Echeozonjoku said she was not involved in procurement processes.
The Star