LOUIS TRICHARDT - Sub-standard building material and dangerously unacceptable discrepancies and workmanship were found in several units erected in the controversial Tshikota Hostel Redevelopment Project.

During a recent inspection, shocking examples of totally unacceptable construction work was found in this project, developed by the Willcass Group.

The Makhado Municipality and the Willcass Group are at loggerheads over this extensive project, which was started in contravention of the National Building Regulations, without any approved building plans.

A tussle developed between the municipality and the contractors, who ignored Council's building regulations, claiming that they act under instructions from the Provincial Housing Board, who appointed them.

Council, who provided the property free of charge and approved a contribution of R100 000 towards the redevelopment project, however, claims that the contractor is not only acting in contravention of the local town-planning scheme policies, but is also ignoring the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act. The contractor ignored an instruction to pay the electrical engineering contribution, amounting to R61 642.38, refused to present financial guarantees and failed to pay R6 567 .80 approval fees for building plans. The contractor then also disregarded an instruction from the municipal building inspector to halt all construction until the necessary building plans have been duly submitted and approved. This instruction was issued after the building inspector found serious flaws in the construction which was started and continued in contravention of the official regulations.

The contractor's defiance of official regulations and instructions continued without any apparent intervention from the Provincial Housing Board of the Provincial Department for Local Government and Housing, who allocated the tender for this development and was informed of the developer's attitude.

The issue took a surprising turn when, during a municipal council meeting, the Willcass Group executive chairman made a high profile donation of R5 000 to Council for youth work in Tshikota, after launching a scathing personal attack against council's building inspector and against the ward councillor in Tshikota, who first brought the problems regarding the project to Council's attention. Councillors loudly applauded the donation, which was handed to the mayor, Cllr Brighton Tlakula, who warmly thanked the donor.

As early as 30 November 2001 the Makhado Town Civil Engineer indicated that the plans submitted did not meet the specified minimum standards and specifications. The Town Treasurer commented that the redevelopment of the existing hostel units is not a low cost housing project but is envisaged as flats for married couples.

The Willcass Group's representative, in open defiance of Council, and with total disregard for the safety of future inhabitants, adamantly refused to install lintels or interior doorframes. During last week's inspection it was found that in several units the section of the walls above the door and window openings, were already showing signs of collapse.

The Willcass Group also unilaterally changed the foundation specifications, the roofing type, the inner wall height and inner wall finish. During last week's inspection it was also found that in several units the construction of the roofs was not only of inferior quality material but was also fitted without regard to the minimum safety standards. In some units the roofs were not only unsightly but also obviously not weatherproof or stable.

At one outside door the wall was built so conspicuously crooked that no standard door could be fixed into it. The outside doors were also of very low quality in several instances. No provision has been made for the installation of electricity to the units, erected in a community, which was publicly promised free supply of such a basic service.