Photo: DPWI
Photo: DPWI
A total of 14 senior officials from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructures (DPWI) are facing disciplinary action – and possible criminal charges – for the Beitbridge border fence fiasco. The flimsy deterrent to stop illegal immigrants entering SA has been branded a ‘glorified washing line‘ by its critics.
The 40km-long fence between South Africa and Zimbabwe was found to have more than 100 separate breaches, allowing Zimbabweans and other foreign nationals to cross into Mzansi unchallenged. At a time where our international borders are closed due to an international pandemic, Beitbridge poses a very serious security risk.
Beitbridge border report – another fine government mess…
The findings of a government-commissioned report into the fence’s construction are beyond damning. It shows that corners were cut, professionalism was lacking, and corruption reigned supreme. All in all, this saga has been a terrible look for Patricia de Lille and her ministry colleagues.
- Poor construction practices meant the barbed wire coils were ‘stretched beyond their limits’, compromising the fence.
- The fence was meant to be 2.2 metres tall. It only reached a height of 1.8 metres, making it easier to scale.
- There were a total of 115 breaches (broken bits of the fence) across its total 40km stretch.
- Government failures during the tender process led to the fence being ‘unfit for purpose’, and all costs are considered ‘irregular expenditure’.
- It’s recommended that contractors, senior officials for the DPWI, and the principal construction agents all face criminal charges.
Cost of corruption ‘rises even further’
The forensic analysis of the money trail has also turned up some shocking results. According to the audit, the fence was actually overpriced by R17 million – rather than the initial estimate of R14 million. The matter will now be referred to SAPS, as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) hand over their report this week.
“Using the 2016 Contract rates – at which this project was contracted, the assessment found that the overall total project cost should have amounted to R26.1million – it was, therefore, initially overpriced by R14.3 million. The rates calculated four years ago are also thought to be inflated.”
“But a further assessment using market-related prices for materials actually used on site and revised fees for engineering services provides for a total project cost of R23 388 023.97. That means that the project, and DPWI’s failure to review the application properly, actually exceeded its total costs by over R17 million – almost R3 million more than first feared.”
DPWI report on Beitbridge
