Note to Editors: Please note Riona Gokool, MPL sound bite in English
‘The DA welcomes the recent progress report on the R33.6million Montclair Lodge Refurbishment – a KZN Department of Human Settlements (DHS)/Housing Development Agency project – intended to provide temporary accommodation for flood-affected families and restore dignity and stability to those most in need.
While the DA supports the principle around this initiative it cannot be business as usual. This, as we remain deeply concerned about transparency, accountability and long-term sustainability in terms of implementation due to previous reports of irregular procurement and politically-influenced contractor appointments in provincial housing projects.
The DA calls on both KZN’s DHS and eThekwini Municipality to ensure that the Montclair Lodge refurbishment tender process is open to all qualified contractors, transparent and fully compliant. We further insist that;
• The Bill of Quantities, tender specifications and evaluation criteria be published publicly
• That independent observers and representatives from civil society be included in the tender adjudication process and;
• That contracts be awarded strictly on the basis of cost-effectiveness, technical competence and innovation – not political connections.
Montclair Lodge has the potential to showcase what government can achieve when accountability and innovation are prioritised. However, without rigorous oversight and transparency, this project risks becoming another example of wasted taxpayer funds and missed opportunities.
The DA will submit formal questions to KZN Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, to obtain;
• A clear project timeline and budget breakdown
• A full list of contractors/professional service providers and;
• Confirmation that no deviation under Section 36 (emergency appointment) will be used to bypass open tender procedures.
As a partner within KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA stands ready to work with all stakeholders including civil society. Montclair Lodge must become a model of transparent, efficient, and sustainable housing delivery and set a new standard for how government projects should serve communities.