By Maanda Bele and Kaizer Nengovhela
Two newly constructed roads were handed over to communities in the Makhado Municipality last month, much to the excitement of the residents. However, the projects came with a massive price tag, far exceeding initial budgets and dipping deeply into the municipality's own resources.
Both projects were undertaken by companies owned by controversial businessman Bruce Mohlaba from Burgersfort. The roads were paved rather than tarred, at a total combined cost of over R95 million.
Makatu to Tshikota Access Road
On Tuesday, 26 August, the long-awaited Makatu-to-Tshikota access road was officially handed over to the local community by Makhado Mayor Dorcus Mboyi. The 4.1-kilometre road was constructed at a cost of R42.11 million.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Old Tribal Hall in Dzanani, Mayor Mboyi said the road marked a major step in improving accessibility for residents in Ward 33. "This project is proof of the municipality's commitment to delivering infrastructure that improves people's lives," she said. "We thank and acknowledge residents for their patience and continued engagement as we worked towards this goal."
The road, which took 30 months to complete, faced several challenges, including labour recruitment disputes, the relocation of Eskom power lines, and underground water complications. Tshiamiso Trading constructed the road, with Dane Projects appointed as the consulting engineer. Mayor Mboyi confirmed that both companies were appointed through the municipality's supply-chain-management process, in line with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
Residents said the new road would significantly reduce travel time and improve access between Makatu and Tshikota, boosting local economic activity. Many, however, expressed surprise at the high cost. The project was funded through a Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG). In the 2022/23 budget speech, the expected cost was set at R5 million, with an additional R19 million allocated the following year and R17 million the year after.
The project was officially awarded to Tshiamiso Trading for R36.45 million on 21 November 2022, with a start date the same day and an initial completion date of 30 September 2023, later extended to 28 June 2024.
Midoroni Clinic Ring Road
Similar celebrations took place in Midoroni when Mayor Mboyi handed over the Midoroni Clinic Ring Road, a 5.8-kilometre stretch constructed at a cost of R52.97 million. The contract was awarded to Mabatihavi Trading 43, another of Mohlaba's companies. Construction began in August 2023 and was completed in June this year.
During the handover on 7 August, Mayor Mboyi urged the community to safeguard the new road. "Don't burn tyres on these roads. You have ownership, and protect them, so that we can move forward and construct roads in other villages," she said.
Local traditional leader Vhakoma Vho Kedibone Foromo welcomed the project. "This road will change lives, making it easier for our people to reach schools, clinics, and markets. It is truly a blessing for our community," he said.
The high cost of the project has raised questions, with some suggesting it might have been cheaper to tar the road rather than pave it.
When the project was announced in 2022, then-mayor Samuel Munyai said R1 million was set aside to upgrade the Midoroni ring road. The following year, he stated that R13 million would be spent. The 2022/23 budget allocated R7 million for 2023/24 and R12 million for 2024/25. The municipality's annual report for 2023/24 shows that R25.31 million of MIG funding had already been spent, suggesting the remainder was financed from municipal resources.
Repeated inquiries to the municipality's spokesperson, Mr Mpho Rathandu, have gone unanswered.