This time the troubled department is in hot water for missing five deadlines it was supposed to adhere to in line with a settlement agreement with the office.

This agreement pertains to the resuscitation of the Vuk’uphile Developmental Programme after the department and office of the PP, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, signed an agreement on 23 July to initiate talks with the disgruntled emerging contractors.

The 64 contractors chosen for the province’s 2014 Vuk’uphile Upliftment Programme hoped it would help them expand their skills and businesses.

Instead, the three-year programme fell apart after just six months, allegedly because of financial mismanagement and disputes, leaving them worse off than before.

OFM News is in possession of a letter from the PP's office where it highlighted the deadlines that the department missed.

In the letter, the PP's office suggests that the department missed the 21st of August, 4th of September, 11th of September, 17th of October, 18th of October and 17th of this month.

OFM News previously reported that one of the disgruntled contractors said the department is trying to set them up for failure. He says the department wants to give them projects without putting money on the table. He asked how they should proceed with work whilst not being paid.

In October OFM News reported that the troubled department decided to resuscitate the controversial programme after the 20 days designated for a settlement agreement has lapsed between Public Works and aggrieved emerging contractors.

OFM News