Accusations of sloppy work and a lack of transparency are adding to the confusion at the Gugulethu Meat Market with vendors demanding clarity on the way forwards after the first phase of upgrades was completed earlier this month.
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Work at the site began with the electrification of the multi-purpose spot, in 2019, only to be delayed by the pandemic.
The project eventually resumed in May this year.
The contractor reportedly left the site in August, leaving a few incomplete jobs. However, According to IOL, the city said construction and inspection of the work was done on November 10 when the project was declared complete.
“The work was done according to specification,” said Eddie Andrews, Mayco member for spatial planning and environment. “These included the replacement of the roof of the main hall, toilets and line shops, the installation of new toilets, electrical upgrade for the main hall, installation of internal stormwater run-off, and painting work.”
Andrews added that nearly R3.6 million of the R15m initial budget for the overall work had already been spent.
The Urban Regeneration department had subsequently been informed that there were no additional funds and that the scope of work in phase one needed to be reduced.
“Additional funding has been requested in the budget adjustment to complete the remaining doors, fire place rehabilitation and various other items between now and the end of June 2023, said Andrews. “Additional budget required R1.7m to complete the remainder of the jobs as identified above.” said Andrews.
However, vendors claim that nothing has been explained to them, leaving them confused about the incomplete work.
The spot has roughly two dozen vendors, mostly selling meat and other food items, restaurants and a few supermarkets.
Phase two is expected to commence early next year and be completed by June “subject to the approval of the additional budget and the support of the community”.
Speaking to IOL, vendors said there were no engagements and discussions about the work nor what the entire plan for the overall upgrades were.
“Upgrades are welcome, but we don’t appreciate being treated like fools,” said Joe Make, who has been selling at the marketplace for 16 years. “No one is talking to us, all we see are people working and expecting us to shift and accommodate them any time they’re on site.” “No one knew how long the construction was going to be.”
“The worst are the electricity costs that have increased tremendously since the new meters boxes were installed, no one wants to address that. We are left to fend for ourselves from businesses that have been struggling since Covid-19. Yes, we now have a roof over our heads, but we still braai from outside anyway,” he said.
Community liason officer, Mpumzi Ngawuzela, added that there had been no public engagements. “The worst is that I even had no scope of work as the community liaison,” he said. “There would always be excuses each time we asked to see it.”
“We had questions when the constructor said they were done but the roller doors were not changed nor maintained, the braai area which is the heart of the spot was never fixed.”
“This means vendors must remain working from outside, at risk.”
“We also raised concerns about the colour of paint used; you cannot put bright colours in such a smoke-infiltrated place. The new paint is already staining.”
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Picture: Cape{town}Etc Library