A construction company awarded a tender to renovate a bus terminal in East London’s Station Street has locked commuters out of the newly upgraded waiting area, saying it had not been paid for the work.
The R7-million project, which began in January, was completed in September despite contractor Tewo building and civil contractors having last received a payment in June.
Last year Metrorail’s provincial spokeswoman Mimi Katsio told the Daily Dispatch the renovations were being made to accommodate other bus companies, while alterations and additions were being made to the existing structure.
Tewo building and civil contractors CEO Happy Tewo said they had only been paid a portion of the money owed to them and the building would remain locked until he received payment in full.
“Suppliers and subcontractors who worked on the project have been financially affected and their accounts from suppliers had to be closed and put on hold.
“We got help from the bank which has increased our overdraft facility in order for the company to pay wages and salaries.
“Only R3-million has been paid to us by June last year and we have since complied with our end of the deal and completed the renovations with no further payment.”
Tewo said the non-payment had been taking its toll on his health as he had since been diagnosed with high blood pressure and been prescribed stress and anxiety pills. He also relies on medication to sleep.
The Daily Dispatch sent questions to Katsio regarding the non-payment, who referred them to Prasa national spokesman Sipho Sithole. No response from Sithole had been received by the time of writing.
The Dispatch spoke to commuters who were seen outside the locked building.
Lerato Cotyi, who was travelling to Cape Town, said it was humiliating to sit on the pavement waiting for a bus.
Chieala Madikane, also travelling to Cape Town, said there were no toilet facilities for waiting passengers.
Another commuter, Mthetheleli Dumeduze, said it was particularly dangerous for people travelling in the early hours of the morning.
“It is very dangerous.”
Bus waiting area remains locked in pay dispute
The R7-million project, which began in January, was completed in September despite contractor Tewo building and civil contractors having last received a payment in June.
Last year Metrorail’s provincial spokeswoman Mimi Katsio told the Daily Dispatch the renovations were being made to accommodate other bus companies, while alterations and additions were being made to the existing structure.
Tewo building and civil contractors CEO Happy Tewo said they had only been paid a portion of the money owed to them and the building would remain locked until he received payment in full.
“Suppliers and subcontractors who worked on the project have been financially affected and their accounts from suppliers had to be closed and put on hold.
“We got help from the bank which has increased our overdraft facility in order for the company to pay wages and salaries.
“Only R3-million has been paid to us by June last year and we have since complied with our end of the deal and completed the renovations with no further payment.”
Tewo said the non-payment had been taking its toll on his health as he had since been diagnosed with high blood pressure and been prescribed stress and anxiety pills. He also relies on medication to sleep.
The Daily Dispatch sent questions to Katsio regarding the non-payment, who referred them to Prasa national spokesman Sipho Sithole. No response from Sithole had been received by the time of writing.
The Dispatch spoke to commuters who were seen outside the locked building.
Lerato Cotyi, who was travelling to Cape Town, said it was humiliating to sit on the pavement waiting for a bus.
Chieala Madikane, also travelling to Cape Town, said there were no toilet facilities for waiting passengers.
Another commuter, Mthetheleli Dumeduze, said it was particularly dangerous for people travelling in the early hours of the morning.
“It is very dangerous.”
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