Over a year later, the damaged sluice gate at Ntshingwayo (Chelmsford) Dam remains unrepaired, with work apparently coming to a grinding halt.
This follows the sub contractor at the site claiming the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) had not yet made payment.
The issue at Ntshingwayo Dam was initially reported on by Newcastillian News in January 2022 when a concerned community member brought the matter to our attention. At the time, the DWS highlighted that the Infrastructure Management team from the DWS was in the process of having it repaired.
To read more, click here.
However, since the initial report, the deeply concerning problem has still not been resolved, with Newcastillian News reporting in March 2023 that the Department explained that due to the complexity of the job, it was still finalising the scope of work for the appointment of the contractors.
At the time, the DWS pointed out that the provisional program received by the Department indicated that it was anticipated that the work would be completed within seven months upon the appointment of the contractor.
To read more, click here.
Reflecting on the recent developments regarding the work coming to a halt, Coenie Brandt of Waterkon Installations explained that the DWS appointed a main contractor for a term of three years, and Waterkon Installation is a specialist contractor appointed by the main contractor.
“We were invited to attend the site clarification meeting on 20 July 2022. The Department attended, as well as the main contractor. We started with a quotation just after the meeting and submitted it for the first time on 22 August 2022. After five revisions, the last quotation was submitted on 26 October 2022,” began Brandt.
He further explained that Waterkon Installations received an order from the main contractor on 7 February 2023, to get the work underway. The company proceeded with the design, and after approval, they began manufacturing the necessary components.
“We immediately started with the design since that was the first step of the process. You can only start with manufacturing after the design is approved. Then all quality documents must be submitted for approval and signatures,” said Brandt.
With the company working on the issue at Ntshingwayo Dam, he highlighted that Waterkon Installations removed the hoist unit on 25 May 2023. Brandt added that the unit has since been refurbished by a reputable crane company.
“It has been fully paid for by us and is standing in our workshop. This shall be returned with the installation of the new gate,” he pointed out.
Elaborating further, Brandt highlighted that Waterkon Installations then officially stopped working on the issue on 13 July 2023, this is after sending an early warning to the main contractor a week prior to stopping the manufacturing process.
“We have submitted invoices for the design, material approved by the third party inspector as well as the removal and refurbishment of the hoist unit. The first invoice for the design is outstanding since May 2023. Of all our invoices we still haven’t been paid up to date in excess of R1,9 million,” explained Brandt.
Elaborating even further on the issues that brought the manufacturing process to a stop, Brandt explained that Waterkon Installations sends a weekly age analysis of their debtors list with the main contractor, without receiving any decent feedback from the Department as to why they were not paid.
In addition to this, Brandt explained, “We have invited the Department, as well as the main contractor and the third party inspector, to inspect all material available in the workshop prior to the commencement of the manufacturing of the gate on 9 June 2023. All parties attended except for the Department.
The Department didn’t even send an apology for not attending, he said. “We subsequently issued an invoice for the material since it was signed off by the third party inspector, representing the Department in technical inspections. Needless to say, it is still not paid. The deposit for the material was paid with the placement of the order.”
With the work on the dam now at a standstill, Brandt was asked why it was so important to complete the work. He stated that from a dam safety point of view, all crest gates must be in working order.
“The gate was lost almost two years ago. It should have been replaced long ago. It takes time to manufacture such a large gate, but it could have been done a long time ago. The other side is, the maintenance gate or stop log is in the opening where the missing gate is. If you need to work on any other gate, it shall not be possible since the maintenance is occupied in position No2,” explained Brandt further.
However, he pointed out that he could not see that any water shortages can be a direct result of the gate not working. “The water is released via pipe work in the dam. The only time the gates are utilised shall be in a flood control situation. This might be needed in the near future with the rain season on our doorstep,” added Brandt.
With the above mentioned in mind, Brandt highlighted that the biggest concern for him was the lack of feedback by DWS officials, as well as their bad track record regarding payments. “This has moved us to a point where we shall only accept upfront payments for any future work,” said Bandt.
Seeking answers, Newcastillian News approached the Department of Water and Sanitation for comment, as to establish the cause of the delays in payments.
When questioned on why Waterkons Installation had not been paid the monies owed to the company, DWS spokesperson Wisane Mavasa explained that the Department was not in a position to answer, but rather the main contractor was in a position as they were responsible for payments due to their contractors.
She further highlighted that the DWS was not facing any challenges with payment. “To date, all the invoices that have been approved by the Project manager, the Department has paid all of them within 30 days,” said Mavasa.
It should be noted that Newcastillian News’ media inquiry pertaining to the DWS was sent on 2 August 2023. By the time that the Department responded, Brandt informed Newcastillian News that the necessary payments had been made by 4 August 2023, except for the hoist, as well as the design and inspection platform.
In regards to the allegations that the Department did not inspect all material available in the workshop prior to the commencement of the manufacturing of the gate on 9 June 2023, Mavasa said this was not true.
She emphasised, “The Department would not have accepted the invoice if the official of the Department did not inspect the material.”
Despite the drama now surrounding the work, Mavasa stressed that the DWS has prioritised the completion of the project. She said, “The main contractor has committed to commissioning the project during mid to the end of October 2023.”
Mavasa further stressed that the commitment is evident through the allocation of funds to this project; the procurement of the service provider to design, manufacture, and install the radial gate; the appointment of the third party inspector; and the timeous processing of all approved invoices.
With this being said, what are your thoughts on the above mentioned? Share your views in the comment section below.
