By Obakeng Maje

Taung is a small town in Northwest,and everyone was so grateful when announced that a sleeping town will have a R98 million shopping mall in April 2013.

The development is a joint operation between Vildev Group and Eris Property Group. The enclosed mall’s architectural look and feel consists of a blend of modern finishes, combined with quiet earth tones and stone-rock inlays.

The sub-contrators down tools yesterday over a pay despute.

It is allegedly that the sub-contractor pays bricklayers R0,65 per brick for facebricks and R0,55 for other bricks per 1000 bricks.

“This is a real explotations and we working under pressure and racing against time to reach target” said one of bricklayers who wanted to remain anonymous.

“If for instant you made mistake,you have to demolish that certain wall and you won’t be paid for that day” He said.

Our crew tried to contact the owner of sub-contractor,but our attempt prove futile.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held five months ago with Chief BP Mankuroane joining Cas De Villiers, director, Vildev Group, Barend de Loor, director new developments, Eris Property Group and Mayor Koane Lobelo, amongst others, in turning the soil. 

The Taung Shopping Mall will be 9000m² and will include tenants such as Boxer, Jet, Edgars Active, Total Sport, Exact, Bears, Ackermans, Studio 88 and Markham. It is ideally situated on the main road, next to the taxi rank.

“The upgrade of the existing taxi rank will be completed by February 2013, which will include a new bus terminal and this will have a positive effect on the opening of the centre. The changes will allow the development to offer a one-stop convenience for shoppers, who will no longer have to walk to the CBD for their shopping” said one of Directors during the ceremony.

According to what we see,it does not need a Rocket Scientist to see when will the project reach its completion.

The meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday between Sub-contrator and Chieftaincy of the area,Kgosi Mankuroane to address payments issues. 

This is not the first time workers down tools as they raised their grievances a month ago.

Future Eris Property Group projects include the development of South African shopping centres in Vryburg, Phuthaditjhaba and Benoni Mall and one in Tsumeb, Namibia.

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