There is no formal investigation into allegations that the Makhado Municipality’s municipal manager, Ms Faith Muthambi, was involved in the "over-payment" of a contractor who had been awarded a tender for the resealing of a road in Waterval in October 2006.

This was the response given to the Zoutpansberger on Wednesday by Makhado mayor Cllr Glory Mashaba. It does not, however, mean that nothing is being done. Mashaba explained that the allegations against Muthambi are being looked at by Council’s technical and finance portfolio committee. This committee was scheduled to meet later the same day, after which it would make a recommendation to Council’s executive committee (Exco). Exco will then bring the matter before Council during their next meeting. This meeting should take place next week. Only then will there be more clarification on Muthambi’s fate.

About three weeks ago, the mayor confirmed that Council was aware of the allegations against Muthambi and said that, for the time being, Council would investigate the allegations internally. The contractor was awarded the R3,788 million contract but failed to complete it. Nonetheless, he continued to receive payment from the Makhado Municipality until December 2007, with these payments allegedly totalling just over R2 million more than the original tender amount. The initial construction period was only four and a half months. It is also alleged that the contractor was, until recently, a very close friend of Muthambi.

Shortly after the first article appeared in the Zoutpansberger of April 4, the municipality issued a statement stating that Muthambi’s relationship with the contractor was irrelevant, as she is not part of the adjudication committee who actually decides and awards tenders. The statement went on to explain that the contractor was paid more than the initial tender amount because of extra work that had been added to the contract afterwards. However, in the same statement, the municipality acknowledged that it was aware of the fact that the contractor’s work was of poor quality, ultimately resulting in the municipality’s termination of his services.

This acknowledgement sparked more questions, including why the municipality had continued paying the contractor until December 2007 if the initial project period was only four and a half months. In response, municipal spokesperson Mr Louis Bobodi said the contract took longer than anticipated, due to the extra work and frequent heavy rains.

There is still no explanation from Council as to why the contractor was not stopped earlier because of his failure to complete the contract and his poor quality of work. Bobodi, did confirm, however, that the total amount paid to the contractor for the unfinished job was R4 682 980 and that his contract with Council was terminated on February 28 this year.

Apart from the allegations against Muthambi, the whole incident also highlighted the contentious issue of poor workmanship by contractors employed by the government. Addressing concerns at an Imbizo at Jane Furse on Saturday, Limpopo Premier Sello Moloto warned contractors in Limpopo in this regard. He said the provincial government was working on a system to blacklist contractors who continue to do shoddy work and claim money for incomplete projects.