has been delayed by more than two years and now the contractor on the project may be in hot water as government blames it for not paying subcontractors.
The agri-hub in Mkhondo has been standing unused since it was completed. Mpumalanga government started the agri-hubs projects about 10 years ago, but they have not benefited farmers.Construction started in July 2018 and the target was to open the fresh produce market by November 28 2020. Then Covid-19 hit, delaying the construction work even further.Mpumi Hlophe, the finance and economic development MEC, recently told the legislature that 17 buildings were between 47% and 94% complete.
But Enza Construction CEO Clinton Crowie denied that his company had failed to pay the subcontractors. Crowie said there were numerous reasons for the delays, including a late handover that led to construction starting late. Dhlamini said his department had become involved in the project in December 2020, 20 months into the contract.
Thomas Msiza, spokesperson for the department of economic development and tourism, said: “We are aware of three payment certificates which were processed between April 19 and 26 2023.