This is due to an ongoing dispute between the Free State Department of Public Works and the construction company. Free State DA Leader, Roy Jankielsohn, was amongst a delegation that conducted an inspection of the building site earlier this month. 

Jankielsohn said the delegation visited the school to investigate why this project came to a halt. He says earlier questions to the Free State Public Works department indicated that construction on the school began at the end of June last year. 

The completion date for the project was set for the end of last month. 

OFM News has, however, been informed that the project in fact began in 2019 and was meant to resume in June 2020, following the hard lockdown levels imposed on the country. Questions to the provincial Education Department were referred to the Public Works department. This department is yet to respond.

The contractor and the Gauteng-based principal agent that was appointed for the project, allegedly clashed repeatedly over the technical aspects of the construction of the school. Despite numerous pleas from the parties for the department of Public Works and Infrastructure to intervene, it seem little has been done to quell rising tensions. 

The DA alleges that Education MEC, Tate Makgoe, confirmed in the Legislature that R60 million had been set aside by his department for this project. The owner of the construction company that was appointed for the project, Tshitshirisang Construction and Projects, has declined to comment on the matter in light of ongoing litigation.

Questions to the provincial Education Department were referred to the Public Works department. This department has not responded yet.

OFM News