Residents from Nzhelele confronted Makhado municipal officials over two multi-million-rand infrastructure projects during a tense meeting at the Makhado Vehicle Testing Station on 20 February. They raised concerns about the Dzanani Taxi Rank and Dzanani Park Phase 2, saying the projects are either incomplete or already deteriorating despite the large sums spent on them.
Municipal tender records show that the Dzanani Taxi Rank contract was awarded to Chauke Business Enterprise for R31,978,301.50 on 20 February 2023. The development of Dzanani Park Phase 2 was awarded to Mvuno Geo-Environmental Civil and Construction for R4,425,643.60 on 25 April 2022.
The issues were raised during the formal launch of the Makhado Community Development Forum (MCDF), a newly formed structure seeking engagement with the municipality and traditional leaders.
Although the taxi rank project began in 2022 after the contractor was appointed, residents disputed claims that it is complete. They also criticised the park project, saying it began deteriorating soon after completion and was not properly handed over to the community.
Zwivhuya Mabaya said local youth were not benefiting from the projects.
“Many youths are not getting jobs from these projects … We wish the municipality could intervene and ensure community projects benefit locals, especially young people, not certain leaders and their families,” she said.
During the meeting, municipal Director of Community Services Johnson Lukheli acknowledged problems with the park’s fencing after repairs. A case had been reported in which a car damaged the park’s infrastructure. “I can attest that when the park was repaired, the palisade fence was shaking,” he said.
But residents rejected this explanation, saying cattle entered the park through weak fencing caused by poor workmanship. Lukheli said the park had been handed over to regional authorities and added that he had not personally inspected the site. Residents said this contradicted earlier statements that it had been handed over to the community and maintained that the project was incomplete.
Tshilidzi Khumeni, a member of the forum’s executive committee, alleged that contractors often hire workers from outside the area or relatives linked to municipal staff instead of local labour. “We were told the park was built according to specifications, but it is very poor,” he said.
Frustrated residents gave the municipality seven working days to respond and requested a meeting with the municipal manager. “I have noted whatever you said and it is up to you to do follow-up,” Lukheli told them.
However, no response had been received by Tuesday, 3 March. Mvuno Geo-Environmental Civil and Construction director Lungu Negogogo said the company completed the park project and handed it over to the municipality in 2024. Asked why a swimming pool was not built, Negogogo said the municipality had instructed the contractor not to proceed because of water shortages in the area. He said he could not recall how much had been spent on the project.
Several attempts were made to obtain comment from Adam Genius Chauke, director of Chauke Business Enterprise, but he had not responded at the time of publication. Municipal spokesperson Mpho Rathando was asked to provide details on project costs, delays and outstanding work. Despite repeated follow-ups, the only response received was: “The municipality will comment once the project is completed.”