Construction work on a multi-million rand new provincial library and archive building at Mafikeng is expected to restart in September, the North West department of public works said on Wednesday.
Spokesman Matshube Mfoloe said a R45.6 million contract was terminated with Mawasha Building Construction CC in July after the contractor fell behind schedule.
The second-lowest bidder for the project, JR-Stock-Madonna Joint Venture, was confirmed as being the new contractor.
The construction site was handed to Mawasha in August 2006 and the completion date was set down for November this year, Mfoloe said.
The new contractors are expected to move on site before the end of September.
"This should serve as a strong warning to other contractors that my department will not tolerate any delays by contractors as this seriously compromises service delivery," said North West public works MEC Jerry Thibedi.
In this case, the client was the Department of Sports Arts and Culture.
Two days after the contract was cancelled -- on July 11-- a separate letter from the Mawasha's attorney informed of the contractor's decision to also cancel the contract in question, Mfoloe said.
R8.8 million was paid for work done prior to the cancellation.
Mfoloe said a quantity surveyor would assess work already done.
"We can confirm that defective work has been detected on the work performed by the (previous) contractor and we are in the process of assessing and estimating the repair cost thereof."