By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The rehabilitation works along the Golden Highway or R553, in Gauteng has resumed after a temporary stoppage caused by protests last week.
LoneRock has been awarded the R548,612,770 tender in early 2025 to revamp the bridge connecting Johannesburg to Vanderbijlpark.
The work was put on hold following violent threats from construction mafias, after LoneRock workers have been shot at and assaulted.
This was revealed in an affidavit filed before the Pretoria High Court on 3 June by director Godfrey Mokabane, which also noted that local taxi organisations had demanded money from the company.
Mokabane told the court he had met with local business members, taxi associations, politicians, and organisations who all wanted a slice of the pie.
Despite this, Mokabane made it clear that LoneRock would not submit to the intimidation and coercion.
However Fulliew learnt that LoneRock has responded positively to certain demands made by small and medium-sized enterprises, with engagements being ongoing.
Gauteng Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela says the provincial government remains committed to ensuring fairness in both hiring and procurement processes in public projects, as well as that principles of inclusive economic transformation and community empowerment are adhered to.
“We recognise the frustrations of affected community members, particularly concerning access to employment and subcontracting opportunities in public infrastructure projects. It is for this reason that, upon being made aware of the challenges, we immediately intervened and held engagements with affected parties,” she notes.
She further urges local businesses and community members to engage formal channels, including projects steering committees, ward councillors and the project liaison offices to ensure grievances are addressed.
Diale-Tlabela confirms that the project will be delivered within budget and without unnecessary delays, while the department reviews the procurement and employment processes having been applied to the project in question, to assess compliance with legislative requirements.
“If any non-compliance is identified, the department will take corrective actions to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.”
She calls for all parties, including protesters, to operate within the law and not try to extort, damage property, intimidate or cause violence.
Business forums, also known as construction mafias, have impacted construction and development in South Africa for nearly 15 years.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson wants to deploy specialised police units and reform local procurement laws to crack down on the crime.
Through the declaration signed in Durban and announced at the National Construction Summit on Crime-Free Construction Sites in November 2024, the parties committed to taking decisive action against construction mafias.