Molapowabojang truck owners threaten to protest
The tussle between resident truck owners of Molapowabojang and the Kanye Administration Authority over the awarding of tenders for works in internal roads is far from over. The work involves hauling of 3 500 cubic meters of gravel from Lobatse Quarry for spot improvement of three kilometers of internal roads of Molapowabojang at an estimated cost of P123 000. This week truck owners threatened to block internal roads in the village where hauling of gravel and grading is taking place to show their displeasure at the way the work was awarded. Truck owners allege that while they have adequate equipment and trucks for the work, instead it has been awarded to companies from Kanye. According to KAA the work was advertised for tendering on the Kanye Administrative Authority notice board from October 17, 2018 to October 29, 2018. The advertisement invited local service providers within the jurisdiction – Molapowabojang, Lerolwane, Segwagwa, Moshaneng and some selected wards found in Kanye including; Kgosing, Ruele and Kgwakgwe –to furnish the Local Authority with quotations for the hire of tipper trucks for hauling of gravel to different locations and provision of a grader vehicle for grading of internal roads in Molapowabojang. Truck owners however, challenge the way the work was advertised, stating that while it was appropriate to advertise it at the District’s headquarters, it was also necessary for the work to be advertised in the specific area where work was to be done to ensure that locals benefit economically.“There are times that work has been advertised in Kanye, but we have always known because a copy of such would be availed at the Council office here in Molapowabojang, what happened this time around?” quizzed Phenyo Nkakelang, a truck owner. He believes that this was done to give work to favoured companies from Kanye over Molapowabojang truck owners. “I still believe that it is very unfair to distribute work like this, what happened to the Economic Empowerment Drive, does it not promote local empowerment?” he fumed. Another truck owner, Mothusi Silabo concurs that each time there is work within the Kanye Administrative Authority jurisdiction, it is advertised at the District headquarters, but locals within the jurisdiction are notified as well, but this time around, neither communication, nor advertisements were sent out to these areas. What surprises Silabo the most is that some of those who won the tender do not have trucks, and even had to hire from locals with trucks. “Some of these people who are working came to hire trucks from us after they won the tender, how do you get awarded work when you do not have equipment?” Silabo quizzed. He strongly believes that work should have been advertised in the kgotla like is always the case. “These people knew the people they wanted to give this work to, and therefore they neglected us locals of Molapowabojang,” Silabo added. Responding to the truck owners’ outbursts, Public Relations Officer at the Kanye Administrative Authority, Kamogelo Molale denied that resident truck owners were not invited to tender. “The quotation was open to all Kanye Administrative Authority’s service providers, including those in Molapowabojang,” he said. He explained that the quotation was advertised as per Local Authorities Procurement and Asset Disposal Regulation 31-Open Domestic Bidding for companies or individuals located within jurisdiction of Kanye Administrative Authority. “We received five responses which underwent evaluation process and were later sent to Adjudication Committee for consideration. Since there were only five responses, meaning five tipper trucks, all the companies were approved to share the work,” Molale explained. The five companies that have been awarded the work are; Hase Projects at P33.95/m3, Ofentse Rogy Garogwe at P34.50/m3, Zeyheri Holdings at P35.84/m3, Maano Alma Mabille at P35/m3 and Service for You (Pty) Ltd at P30/m3. The work is expected to be completed by March 31, 2019.