The department has ordered a contractor to demolish and rebuild a total of 89 sub-standard houses built without complying with building regulations in Mqangqweni, Lujizweni villages in Ngqeleni. The shoddy workmanship was discovered by inspectors from the department and NHBRC during the inspection of sites in the project.
Contractor started casting slabs in various villages where the project is implemented, on inspection of platforms and the slabs that were casted it was discovered that they were not done according to the required Department and NHBRC standards in terms of the Manual.
Prior to the certification of the slabs, the contractor proceeded to constructing walls which were also sub-standard. In some houses there was no brick force used on the designated courses (every 2nd course) of the wall as it progresses up. In the houses where brick force was used, it was of inferior quality (rusting) and is less than the required diameter of 2.8mm.
The type of windows and door frames used was not SABS approved and this was compromising the bearing load above windows and doors level. The window frames used required that the contractor use lintels above window openings to endure the load of the roof, but the lintels were bending already before roof was put up.
There was also a challenge of an internal wall that was dividing the kitchen from the lounge area, this wall was posing danger to the occupants after the house has been completed. As the department and NHBRC do not certify sub-standard work, the contractor was therefore issued with Non-compliance certificates on the dissatisfactory work.
The contractor’s engineer was asked to submit remedial action for the work that could not be certified. The department pays on value created and the value created must be certified by quality assurance inspector in order for the contractor to proceed to the next milestone of the house
All the work which has not been certified by Quality Assurance inspectorate is not paid by the department and the contractor bears liability.
MEC Helen Sauls-August has warned all contractors working in the province to adhere to building regulations or face wrath of the department. “There is no way contractors will be allowed to build shoddy houses. We will not compromise on the quality of houses because of the rush to complete a project. This should serve as indication to all contractors that the department will not pay and accept poor quality houses,” she said.
Enquiries:
Lwandile Sicwetsha
Director: Corporate Communications
Tel: 043 711 9679
Email: lwandiles@ecdhs.gov.za
