More than R163 million has already been spent on building the Mamelodi magistrate's court in Pretoria, but the building remains unfinished twelve years after construction began. The government has now appointed a new contractor to complete the project by October 2028.
Dean Macpherson, minister of public works and infrastructure, and Deputy Chief Justice Dunstan Mlambo visited the site on Thursday, 29 October to assess progress.
According to Macpherson, spending on the project to date amounts to R163 933 686. The new construction contract is worth R241.26 million, VAT inclusive.
Construction began on 19 June 2014 and was originally supposed to be completed by the end of 2015. However, the project has been repeatedly delayed due to problems with contractors, labour disputes and disruption at the construction site.
According to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the previous contractor's contract was terminated in October 2023 due to poor performance and disruptions linked to so-called construction mafia.
The project was then approximately 60 per cent complete. The department says the disruption and extortion cost more than R5 million in losses.
Construction resumed on 7 October this year after a new contractor was appointed. The contract provides for a construction period of 24 months, with 8 October 2028 as the planned completion date.
The department has placed the project under its direct management to strengthen oversight and identify problems earlier. Work is also being done on stronger community involvement to prevent further disruption.
During the site visit, Mlambo indicated that he expects to visit the project again within six months to assess progress.
The prolonged delay means the new court building still cannot serve the community as originally planned. The project is intended to improve access to court services in Mamelodi and surrounding areas.
Macpherson said the government is committed to completing the project and holding contractors accountable. The department is also investigating legal steps to recover losses relating to the previous contract, where applicable.
The new completion date means residents will still have to wait nearly two years before the building is expected to be ready.
Sources: Department of Public Works and Infrastructure; SAnews; Parliament of South Africa; Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
