admin
Business Reporter
BUILDING and civil engineering contractor, Reliance Construction (Pvt) Ltd, has come under the spotlight after failing to service a $44,000 house renovation tender for a Bulawayo resident since April 2013. Ngelethu Njini Sibanda told Business Chronicle he had not found joy after engaging the prominent firm to renovate his home at number 14 Alexander Road in Richmond suburb.
“I paid $28,000 deposit in April 2013 as required by our contract for them to start work with the agreement that I’ll clear the balance after they had finished the task. The work was supposed to be done over a period of three months but nothing has been done to date,” said Sibanda.
“Their workers came and did some few touch ups but disappeared before finishing. My house is leaking as we speak and part of my family is living in the cottage instead of the main house.”
Yesterday Reliance Construction chief executive officer Obert Sibanda acknowledged the outstanding work saying his client was supposed to pay about $11,000 so that they finish the project.
“We agreed that as soon as he pays us the outstanding $11,000, we’ll finish construction. We had changes that were not on the plan that we were supposed to work on and we had agreed to finish as soon as he pays us the money,” he said.
“I wasn’t communicating directly with him as he liaised with our officers. I’m surprised he is bitter yet we had made an agreement.”
Njini Sibanda claimed he had engaged the company’s management including having dialogue with its chief executive officer, to no avail.
“I’ve been patient for too long and now want my money back so that I can engage a new contractor. I’ve tried to talk to Sibanda as well but noting changes. They’ve been sending different workers to my place who have not done anything,” fumed Njini Sibanda.
Documents shown to Business Chronicle indicate the contract was signed on April, 10, 2013 and signed by Sibanda (client) and Auxilia Majoni (representing Reliance) and two witnesses Nozipho Ndebele and G Sithole.
The four signatories have their identity numbers written in front of their names.
Among the terms of the contract is that the total project costs $44,467.13 with the client required to pay 65 percent deposit before commencement of work and balance payable upon completion.
The contract duration was supposed to be 10 weeks from date of commencement.
Seeing no progress, Njini Sibanda wrote a letter of complaint dated April 22, 2014 to Reliance Construction.
“As I write this letter, the renovations are still far from completion and debris is strewn all over. I’ve been to your offices on numerous occasions and have held telephone conversations with your senior personnel to no avail,” reads part of the letter.
“What is most disturbing is the extent of false promises that I’ve been accorded by your firm — a clear lack of conscience and commitment.”
He argued that delays in completing the project were “unfair” as they have inconvenienced his family and caused him uncalled for revenue losses.
He gave the firm an ultimatum to complete the work not later than May, 31, 2014 or reimburse his money.
Obert Sibanda responded in a letter dated November 25, 2014, a copy shown to this paper, acknowledging the outstanding work.
“After receiving your letter . . . we responded by sending our carpenter. The carpenter managed to repair the roof including some of the works, which were not on the scope of works,” he said.
“As of now we’ve managed to procure materials so that plastering and floors can be done. According to our programme of works we expect to complete the job on or before the 10th of December 2014.”
Online Reporter