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Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille
- Patricia de Lille says the controversial Beitbridge border fence will not be repaired.
- A site clean-up process has begun, which will clear the way for a full fence overhaul.
- The site cleanup process should be completed in June.
The porous border fence of Beitbridge in South Africa will not be repaired or maintained.
By June of this year, a site clean-up process is due to be completed, which will pave the way for a complete fence change.
This emerged from the question and answer session of the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Patricia de Lille, at the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday.
READ | Beitbridge fiasco: existing contracts with shoddy companies will not be terminated – Public Works
De Lille and the Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Phumulo Masualle, answered questions at the NCOP.
She told MPs:
“The acting CEO sent a technical condition team to the Beitbridge border fence. The team found that the fence, in its current form, is not fit for purpose. It does not meet specification. The department has decided not to. perform any repair or maintenance on the existing fence. It will result in irregular expenses. ”
De Lille said that any additional border fence project, at all border posts, will involve other departments.
“Any other border fence project will be placed in the context of the integrated border management solution that is currently underway. In this regard, the site cleanup is expected to be completed in June 2021. From this point, the department will adopt and will use best practice approach in consultation with the Department of Defense, “he said.
De Lille also revealed that his department had prepared a request for information and ideas for an integrated border fence solution.
The Beitbridge project has been embroiled in controversy after investigations found that 40 million rand had been budgeted for a fence that was easily scalable and proved ineffective in preventing illegal border crossings.
Closing
Magwa Construction and Profteam CC rushed to build the fence shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the closure of the borders to slow the spread of Covid-19.
The department’s national bid award committee (NBAC) approved both bids for the project in March.
On March 18, the NBAC approved the appointment of Magwa Construction to provide contractor services at a cost of R37 million.
Trucks parked in Beitbridge.
The following day, the appointment of Profteam CC was approved to provide professional services at a cost of R3.2 million.
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The department, at this stage, has not identified any “good cause” to terminate the existing contracts of Caledon River Properties CC, which is listed as Magwa Construction and Profteam CC, as these contracts have been duly awarded.
However, the department will review the contracts.
De Lille said that once the proposals have been received, officials will consult with the defense department.
“The department has joined the security group. We are now working together to find a durable solution for the border fence. The Home Secretary[AaronMotsoaledi) is working with us on looking at the border posts and the fence type” looking for the best solutions for the country and looking for other methodologies, “said[AaronMotsoaledi].[AaronMotsoaledi)estátrabajandoconnosotrosanalizandolospuestosfronterizosyeltipodevalla”buscandolasmejoressolucionesparaelpaísybuscandootrasmetodologías”dijo[AaronMotsoaledi)isworkingwithuslookingatborderpostsandthetypeoffencingWearelookingatthebestsolutionsforthecountryandlookingatothermethodologies”shesaid
