Four of the renovated ablution blocks at EZ Kabane High School in KwaDwesi have been kept locked by the contractor – this time due to payment issues with the Eastern Cape education department.
The new ablution blocks have been locked by Amuvile Civils owner Vumile Mtyobele since June.
Pupils are now forced to share two of the renovated ground-floor ablution blocks at the three-storey school.
The renovated ablution blocks – which could already be used – are almost completed, with some minor tiling and electrical work outstanding.
Since construction started in March, the R700,000 project has been marred by payment delays and vandalism.
The Herald reported in June how 600 pupils were sharing seven of the foul-smelling toilets after SMMEs had wanted to be included in the project.
The ablution blocks were then also locked by Mtyobele to avoid potential damage by residents and SMMEs.
The SMMEs were eventually hired for specific work on the project.
But a follow-up visit on Monday revealed that while all the ablution blocks were completely redone, four of the six had been locked again.
Mtyobele said he would unlock them next weekend regardless of whether he was paid or not.
He said a decision was taken to lock the ablution blocks this time after consulting school principal Shumani Mathige and CBI Quantity Surveyors and Project Managers, which are the principal agents.
“This was done to prevent vandalism as we previously had to return and redo toilets.”
Mtyobele said he needed to pay the SMMEs first but needed the money owed by the department to do so.
CBI Quantity Surveyors and Project Manager principal agent Francois Smit said despite the payment issues, the ablution blocks would be opened next weekend.“The work is behind schedule but this is partly to blame on the community who wanted to form part of the project by providing electrical and tiling [work], which was agreed upon,” Smit said.
“However they are yet to provide the service and the contractor will now complete those last two elements.
“So the matter is not solely regarding payment. Blocked sewers and water supply problems also had to be dealt with.”
Mathige said the department had overlooked the school on several occasions.
“We have been made several promises with regards to infrastructure over the years.
“We are occupying the old Lungisa High School building because our prefabs collapsed,” Mathige said.
“This toilet issue is just the latest example of it. We don’t even have a school fence.
“It is my understanding that the department’s failure to pay the contractor is why the gates are locked.
“This was aggravated by the contractor being forced to release the sub-contractor as a result of non payment, which now brings the threat of vandalism by the community.”
Education department spokespersons Malibongwe Mtima and Loyiso Pulumani failed to respond to questions sent on Monday.