Consulting Engineering South Africa (Cesa) said in a statement on Monday that it was “appalled” by the apparent pressure put on its members to certify payment for work not completed, saying it would not bend to pressure from “greedy, unscrupulous and unqualified” contractors and corrupt officials.

“We are concerned and, as an organisation that represents an invaluable profession that is the backbone of [high-]quality infrastructure, we cannot [allow] this despicable behavior and conduct to continue unchallenged,” asserted Cesa CEO Lefadi Makibinyane.

He said Cesa would not allow these “bad elements” to hold the profession to ransom or deter its members from practicing, adding that the actions of these individuals were impeding the delivery of basic services and critical infrastructure underpinning economic growth and job creation.

“Our government has done everything to prepare internationally acclaimed policies, but implementation has been their Achilles’ heel, mainly owing to these unscrupulous officials who are eroding the profitability of our member firms and most companies doing business with government. [This is especially true in] municipalities, where the rot lies,” Makibinyane noted.
The Cesa head described governance in most municipalities as a “shambles”, saying it was worsened by the political interference in administration.

“We shall be relentless in holding those in power accountable to ensure that the quality of basic services through effective and efficient infrastructure is delivered to the people of South Africa. We shall work closely with government institutions to ensure that these corrupt acts are identified and their perpetrators reported to the South African Police Services, the Public Protector, the Special Investigative Unit and National Treasury, for further investigation and prosecution,” Makibinyane concluded.