N2 Wild Coast - Issue 5

Has a consultant been hired for the Flagstaff office?

The interviews for the office manager have been completed and an appointment is imminent. The appointment will be a five-year contract position. The new Flagstaff Manager will receive orientation at the SANRAL office in Port Elizabeth for two months before starting full-time at the Flagstaff/Mpondoland office.

Has the new tender for the Msikaba Bridge closed?

Yes. The new tender was advertised on 3 November 2017 and closed on 11 April 2018.

How many tender bids were received for the Msikaba Bridge and who tendered?

Three tender bids were received. The bidders are: Concor Moto-Engil SA JV (the related M&R_ME International JV), Acciona Raubex JV (ARJV were the second lowest bidders in the first round) and CCCS Msikaba Consortium (comprising China Communications Construction, CMC di Ravenna, CMI Infrastructures and Sarkum Housing, who were part of another consortium in the first round).

When are the graves on and around the current construction sites being moved?

There are certain legal issues that must be resolved before any human remains can be disturbed, particularly if the graves are older than 60 years and/or if there are no death certificates for the deceased. If the graves are to be relocated within the same family plot, this can be done as soon as all the permits are in place and the proper traditional ceremony has been performed. However, if the family is being relocated to a new site, then the relocation of the graves to the new site will only happen when the family moves into their new house.

Can the family be present for the exhumation before the grave is relocated?

Due to the health risks associated with disturbing human remains, strict health and safety procedures need to be followed. For this reason, only a limited number of adult family observers are allowed to be present during the actual exhumation (removal of the remains from the ground) by the undertakers.