By REGINALD KANYANE
14 May 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi visited Mphe Bana 2 Secondary School in Reagile Township, near Koster, to follow up on the ongoing construction delays and quality concerns at the site. The visit comes after a recent meeting held under the Thuntsa Lerole Programme, where local business representatives and the primary contractor discussed project challenges.
Motsumi said construction of Mphe Bana 2 Secondary School began in 2022 with an expected completion date in September 2024. She said, however, the project remains unfinished, raising concerns about workmanship and management.
“We express serious disappointment regarding the poor quality of work and multiple defaults observed at the site. We urge the main contractor to rectify these issues and ensure that all construction complies fully with the department’s standards and scope of work.
“During the follow-up meeting, local contractors highlighted difficulties in receiving payments from the main contractor, a factor that has further delayed progress,” said Motsumi.
She further announced a decisive step to protect the interests of local businesses. Motsumi added that, to safeguard the local contractors and ensure timely project completion, all outstanding payments from the main contractor will be redirected through the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) directly into the accounts of the local contractors.
“This move aims to prevent contractors from being left unpaid and to accelerate the completion of the school. We reaffirm the department’s commitment to delivering quality education infrastructure on time and stress the importance of supporting local enterprises in the region of Bojanala and North West at large,” she said.
The Guardian 