The agri-hub in Mkhondo Local Municipality, Mpumalanga, has a planning and engineering history that reads like a comedy of errors. Despite swallowing R142 million in public funds, it has yet to benefit a single farmer.
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More than 10 years in the making, the agri-hub aimed to provide local farmers with a formal collection point and packaging facility to access markets. However, it is still not fit for use, leading the DA Mpumalanga to call on the provincial government to halt further work on the project.
In a statement, Tersia Marshall, a DA member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature and spokesperson for agriculture, rural development, land and environmental affairs, recounted how elected representatives were told during an oversight visit in September 2024 that the building’s roof trusses had been directly screwed into masonry walls. She added this was a fundamental structural error that rendered the roof unstable and “an accident waiting to happen”.
The newly-appointed project engineer who imparted this information during the visit also said no building plans had been submitted to or approved by the local municipality during the construction process, despite the issuance of a temporary occupation certificate.
“Adding to the concerns, foundation samples taken on-site reportedly showed the absence of steel reinforcement in critical foundation elements. This breach of fundamental engineering principles raises immediate questions regarding the safety, stability, and longevity of the structure,” Marshall said.
She also recounted how provincial officials embarked on R32 million worth of repairs without approved plans and necessary drawings, with fire safety plans only being submitted after the fact.
“Constructing and occupying a building without prior municipal approval of plans contravenes the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act [No. 103 of 1977] and applicable [South African National Standards].
“Furthermore, the breaches of duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act [No. 85 of 1993] and the Construction Regulations [2014] point to a serious neglect of basic safety and construction protocols,” Marshall added.
In 2022, City Press reported that Cain Chunda, head of the provincial Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, instituted charges against a joint venture company, departmental officials, and a chief engineer regarding alleged corruption associated with the project.
The paper quoted from an affidavit in which Chunda alleged the former chief engineer had certified a R4,8 million invoice to a company before preliminary studies had taken place; that the invoice exceeded the actual amount for the work by over R451 000; that abattoir equipment valued at R5,9 million failed to materialise after payment was made; and that the department had overpaid by almost R3 million for incomplete fencing.
Chunda told police that collusion between service providers and officials had left the department out of pocket to the tune of more than R55 million.
The agri-hub, like the controversial Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market, were championed by former Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza.
Marshall demanded that the province suspend all work on the hub until professionals accredited with the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions had inspected the facility and a comprehensive fire safety assessment was done.
She also demanded to be given all correspondence related to the flawed approvals to occupy the building, and that responsible officials and contractors be disciplined.
“The DA further demands that this matter be escalated to the Special Investigating Unit, the Hawks, and the Auditor-General for a comprehensive investigation,” Marshall concluded.
