The Free State Department of Human Settlements and the Ministry has conducted a site visit to G Hostel in Thabong to take cognisance of the current situation regarding missing millions of rands.
Mmamoloko “Nkhensani” Kubayi, minister of Human Settlements and a member of the National Assembly for the ANC, has identified the action that will be taken to remedy the situation in which millions have gone missing and the project is still unfinished. This project was initiated in 2014.
According to Motale Sebego, acting director of corporate communication for the Department of Human Settlement, the initial amount allocated towards the project was R325 million, which has since been depleted.
“It is safe to acknowledge the vandalism that transpired during the community protests. All blocks, except for two, have been constructed with little work remaining before completion. Security has been employed on-site to safeguard the property,” he says.
Sebego adds that the appointed contractor, Uniq Holdings, was progressing slowly.
“This is why the department ended up terminating their contract and it is still in the process of appointing a new contractor. The new contractor will work with Uniq Holdings where it is required.”
Sebego says the current scope covers the construction of 780 community residential units (CRU) scheduled for completion in April 2024. The residents who will qualify for housing in the new complex must earn between R800 to R3 500 per month to occupy the units on a rental basis.
The department disputes Vista’s previous reporting of the compilation of the missing millions.
It was reported that the first R222 million, for Mafuri Turnkey Accelerated Construction, became unaccounted for in 2018. In 2019 a further R328 million (Uniq) was unaccounted for. These were documented amounts.
Mafuri Turnkey Accelerated Construction was also responsible for the Boitumelo Mall construction in Thabong.
The minister herself announced this year that she was investigating the disappearance of R343 million.
There is also R8 million that was allocated for payment to sub-contractors and general workers that is unaccounted for. Vistahas seen proof of this amount.
