DA KZN SPOKESPERSON FOR HOUSING

THE Democratic Alliance has called on KZN Human Settlement MEC, Maggie Govender, to institute a full-scale investigation into the awarding of more than R300 million worth of government building contracts to Zukhulise Cleaning, Maintenance and Transport, the operation owned by Durban couple, S'bu and Shawn Mpisane (see report).

The high-flying couple are at the centre of a storm of controversy with allegations of shoddy workmanship at three building sites in Umlazi - where Zukhulise is contracted to build some 4 500 RDP houses - and at a school in the Molweni area, being built at a cost of R28 million. According to media reports, the company is not registered with the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), as legally required.

 "Media investigations point to major discrepancies when it comes to the awarding of tenders and the entire evaluation and tender process in the case of the Mpisane's.  This is after all a couple with virtually no experience when it comes to housing delivery.  If the MEC is genuinely committed to rooting out fraud and corruption within the department, then she must take immediate action by launching a full-scale investigation into the tender and awarding process in these instances."

Mari has also accused Ethekwini Municipal Manager, Mike Sutcliffe of being ‘evasive' and fobbing off media enquiries directed at the Ethekwini Metro Housing Unit.    "The Metro Housing Unit has a lot to answer for, while the provincial housing department, which has also allocated funding for the projects, needs to investigate all allegations revealed by the media."

Statement issued by George Mari, MPP, DA member of the KZN Housing Portfolio Committee, January 25 2010

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