The resurfacing of various streets in Mfuleni has been temporarily halted after the contractor was threatened on-site on Wednesday.
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This is according to the City of Cape Town’s Road Infrastructure Management Department who confirmed that work had been put on hold in order for CoCT and the community to come to an agreement.
Five men confronted the contractor in Mfuleni who was resurfacing the streets on Wednesday afternoon. The men accosted the contractor and demanded employment on the project, claiming to speak for the community. The contractor was forced to stop work immediately.
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The work undertaken in Hoboshe Street, one of six streets to be resurfaced in the area, was initially scheduled for completion on 24 May. The road has presently been left in a compromised state. Motorists have been advised to drive carefully around this site.
In a statement issued on Friday, the department said that the contractor is currently still engaging with the local ward councilor to assist with the mediation efforts. The incident is also being followed up by law enforcement officials while the contractor has written an affidavit.
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‘Bahlali, we understand this is frustrating and know how much you are looking forward to seeing your newly resurfaced streets,’ said Councillor Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility.
‘I want to assure you that we are doing all we can to ensure an agreement is reached so that work can resume as soon as possible.
‘We are still aiming towards completing the work by the end of May 2023, if all goes well.’ Quintas added.
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Picture: Unsplash
