Question NW3745 to the Minister of Basic Education
14 December 2018 - NW3745
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)With regard to Limpopo Department of Education Contract No. EDDP 182/142, Lebaka B Primary School in Mohlabaneng, was the school built within the contract period of 3 November 2010 to 3 October 2011; if not, what are the relevant details; (2) (a) what was the total monetary cost of the building project, (b) who was the contractor and (c) was the contractor paid in full; (3) (a) what are the full details of the (i) total cost of the furniture and (ii) furnishings delivered and dates of delivery of all furnishings, (b) why has this school been abandoned, (c) on what date was a security company appointed, (d) what is the cost of the security contract and (e) what is the name of the security company; (4) has any litigation process been instituted; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The school was not completed within the envisioned construction period of 11 months. The contract period started on 3 November 2010 as scheduled, but unfortunately the contractor fell behind schedule. The delays led to the situation whereby the contractor subsequently abandoned site. The project was re-activated in 2016 and Practical Completion was achieved on 11 September 2017.
2. The initial contract amount was R 15 956 400.00. During the period when the contractor abandoned site the school was vandalised. Accordingly, when the project was re-activated, re-measurements were done to determine the cost to complete the project and a Variation Order was approved on 7 November 2016 increasing the contract amount to R 17 721 946.21. MPPJ Property Development was the Contractor. The contractor has not yet been paid in full as Final Completion has not yet been achieved.
3. (a) Total cost of Furniture is R930 491.000 and the furniture was delivered in 2012 and in 2018.
(b) Lebaka B was built as an offshoot of Lebaka A where the school buildings were dilapidated and no longer hospitable. Security was engaged and the repairs were effected. There are plans afoot to bring in Gr R –Gr 3 to the school in January 2019.
(c) The security company was appointed for Lebaka B School on 01 June 2018.
(d) The security service provider was initially appointed by the Limpopo Department of Education to do security services at Mamaila Circuit Office. A variation order was prepared and approved for the inclusion of Lebaka B School for an amount of R33 524.30 per month.
(e) Mathara Investment CC.
4. Yes, there is a litigation claim for the alleged exhumation of graves on the school site during the construction process. The matter is currently being handled by the state attorney.