KZN cracks down on contractors after RK Khan Hospital delays
The Department of Public Works in KZN is taking a tougher stance on contractors who fail to deliver on promised projects.
Its after the R58 million project to refurbish two flood-damaged wards at RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth faced several setbacks, after two contractors pulled out, and there were delays due to poor weather.
Despite the challenges, the two-year project to upgrade Wards D and E, including the replacement of a leaking flat rooftop, is on track to be completed within two weeks.
The refurbished wards will accommodate around 40 patient beds and surgical services.
MEC Martin Meyer conducted an oversight visit at the hospital yesterday.
He says they aim to get projects off the ground within time and budget. "Public works was riddled by that, that contractors had to be replaced over and over again because they were just not able to deliver the work that they promised to do. That will no longer be the case.
READ: KZN Public Works to build ‘flood-proof’ infrastructure
"We now are committed to blacklisting contractors that are not delivering what they promised us. And we are strengthening our own internal bit processes to make sure that the best possible people are getting the work so
that make sure that we deliver good quality products."
"So it has been, unfortunately, part of the old public works that our projects would run way over budget and totally over time because we just did not employ the right contractors for the job."
Meyer says more upgrades are planned for public facilities across the province, even amid tight finances.
" We are also busy currently at King DinuZulu Hospital doing upgrade to the, to the TB wing there, at hospitals in Ulundi and Jozini."
"We are doing work and I think that's all part of our commitment to upgrade what we currently have, which is within our budgetary abilities to do, and we'll continue working with the Department of Health, to identify where we need to focus our upgrade work."
